Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1950)

NARBA ON ROCKS Mexican Delegation Withdraws MEXICO'S delegates withdrew from the XARBA conference last week, shattering hopes that a unanimous North American agreement on AM channel rights could be reached at this session. The Mexican departure spurred efforts to achieve a multi-lateral agreement among the remaining nations, however, and observers Friday appeared still hopeful that the key stumbling-block in the path of such a treaty — the persistent differences between the U.S. and Cuba — may yet be overcome. But U.S. authorities were insistent that any agreement provide adequate protection to U.S. interests. If the U.S. and Cuban delegations reach a basic accord, an agreement satisfactory to the other nations seemed virtually assured. Despite her walkout, observers felt Mexico would be given a chance to subscribe to any treaty that is evolved in her absence. It was thought, however, that agreement must come soon or not at all — at least at this session. AH of the foreign delegations — Canadian, Cuban, Dominican and Bahaman-Jamaican — have made clear their desire to return home as soon as possible. With Mexico's retirement, the prospect of cutting bandwidths from 10 to 9 kc — which loomed large early in the week as the only altei-native to complete failure of the conference — appeared to have been pushed aside, at least for the present. There remained a probability that machinery would be established to study such a plan as the basis for future negotiations. But it was conceded that the study itself would take much time, and both Mexico and Cuba were fearful about the interference that would result from adoption of 9 kc separations in the North American nations while Central and South American countries continue to operate on a 10 kc basis. Plenary Session Problem The 9 kc question, which no country including the U.S. wanted to propose officially [Broadcasting, Oct. 16], was formally raised in an emergency plenary session Monday after Mexico and the U.S. had again failed to come to any fundamental agreement on their differences. It was decided then that the conference Steering Committee would meet Tuesday to discuss procedures looking to a survey of the possibilities of 9 kc separation as a means of securing additional AM channels and thus providing a solution of the conference's stalemate. Afterward, however, the U.S. and Mexican groups met again — and this time, in their final offer, U.S. officials agreed to directionalize two U.S. 1-A clear channels, WNBC New York's 660 kc and WCBS also New York's 880 kc, provided Mexi can use of the frequencies would also be directionalized. The Mexican delegation again refused, still claiming that they should be allowed to use the channels to serve Mexican nationals within the U.S., with appropriate protection. The next day — Wednesday — the Mexican delegates left the conference. Dr. Miguel Espejel, head of the delegation, said their departure should not be considered a mark of conference failure. He expressed hope that a future conference would bring success. He said the delegation could not consider bilateral agreements now because it lacked authorization from the Mexican government, but that bilateral agreements could be made in the future, pending another conference. The other delegates reciprocated the hope of ultimate agreement, and paid tribute to the work done by Mexico's representatives since the sessions resumed Sept. 6. FCC Comr. Rosel Hyde, chairman of the U.S. delegation, voiced disappointment that agreement had not been reached when it had appeared so near, and assured the retiring delegation that the U.S. looks forward to continuing friendly relations with Mexican broadcast interests. Canada's Commander C. P. Edwards, chairman of the conference, assured the Mexican delegation that "you'll have no trouble" from North American nations "encroaching on your interests." In the meantime, reports that narrowing the bandwidth below 10 kc might be considered had stirred concern among U.S. broadcasters. Early in the week Stephen A. Cisler, secretary of the Assn. of Independent Stations, notified Comr. Hyde that the association, representing stations in 36 markets, had gone on record in a meeting in St. Louis unanimously urging that every effort be made to reach agreement without adopting or considering any narrowing of channels. The association recommended that FCC take a "definite stand and break national clear channels for wider and greater usage in public interest." U. S. Views Asked It was obvious before the 9 kc proposal came up Monday that no delegation wanted to be the one to suggest it formally. In the end, the subject just showed up on Monday's plenary agenda and Mexico, which had been expected to make the proposal, asked for U.S. views on the subject. Comr. Hyde said he had been hopeful that "shared use of channels" might provide the basis for an agreement which would make all sides "reasonably happy," though he felt some U.S. interests would be least happy of all. The U.S., he said, has been and remains quite willing to consider the viewpoints of other nations, but was unsuccessful in reaching agreements even though she had made offers which would require adjustments in the U.S. broadcasting pic CONSTRUCTION has started on the new KCBS San Francisco 50 kw transmitter in Novato, Calif. Discussing progress at the Marin County site are (I to r) Charles Hageman, construction crew foreman; Arthur Hull Hayes, vice president for CBS in San Francisco and general manager of KCBS, and Alan Cormack, chief engineer of KCBS. ture. Unless the other nations also made some concessions, he saw little chance of agreement "within the present channel system." Answering Dr. Espejel's request for comments on the 9 kc plan specifically, he emphasized that the proposal was not made by the U.S.; that it involves many technical difficulties which have not been studied in detail, and that it should be approached with care. On the theory that all NARBA nations would be better served by a reasonable agreement than by lack of one, however, he said the U.S. delegation is prepared to "consider" any proposal for narrower bandwidths. But if agreement should be reached on the basis of (Continued on page 79) HURRICANE iami Stations Rise to Occasion A SMALL but vicious hurricane roared down on Miami, Fla., last Tuesday, Oct. 17, and once again radio was credited by authorities with performing outstanding public services. The "blow," which the previous night's reports and morning papers had said would miss the Miami area to the east, skirted the Keys and bore down on Miami direct. It was the quick warnings flashed by greater Miami radio stations that enabled the Red Cross and other official agencies to evacuate the residents of the lowlands. The storm is estimated to have caused more than $8 million in damages. Many radio towers were levelled and broadcasting schedules disrupted temporarily until stations could put emergency equipment in operation. WGBS Miami suffered no damage and remained on the air throughout the storm, airing telephone recorded interviews as the storm approached the south and moved north. When Miami Beach was cut off, WGBS, Fort Industry Co. outlet, relayed messages to police and disaster workers and fed other Fort Industry stations special reports. The station continued after the storm to warn against fallen wires, blocked streets and other hazards. Special broadcasts were made by WGBS to areas north of Miami expecting the gale, supplying them with vital information relative to shelters and instructions necessary for safety. WQAM Towers Down WQAM Miami on the Venetian causeway lost two towers without damaging the transmitter or warehouse directly beneath them, a minor miracle according to Owen F. Uridge, general manager of the station. The 400-ft. tower which stood about 100 ft. out in Biscayne Bay fell to the west barely missing the transmitter building; a smaller tower crashed into a corner of the warehouse and shop. Men were in both buildings but none was hurt, it was reported. Mr. Uridge said tentative plans already have been made for a new tower with erection expected to be completed within two or three months. In spite of the downed towers, WQAM was back on the BROADCASTING • Telecasting air in less than an hour with an emergency antenna strung from the top of the Miami Daily News tower and transmitter equipment at its studios. WWPB Miami suffered no major damage, its 384-ft. Blaw-Knox tower weathering the gale. When the city power went off at 11:39 p.m. the station went on its owti emergency unit and broadcast until 4:30 a.m., when that failed. Both AM and FM carried all weather advisories and Red Cross notices. WIRK in West Palm Beach rebroadcast WWPB-FM reports. WINZ Hollywood lost its tower, and the tower of WLRD Miami Beach was partially damaged but both were back on the air with jury rigs. WMIE Miami wasn't damaged but was forced to use an emergency generator when power failed. The station phoned eyewitness accounts during the hurricane to WJHP Jacksonville and WSWN Belle Glade. WFEC Miami reported its antenna top loading destroyed, but buildings and tower were undamaged. The station gave full cov(Continued on page 75) October 23, 1950 • Page 21