Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1957)

IT'S NO ACCIDENT There are many Reasons* WHY KWKW BROADCASTS MORE HOORS OF SPANISH RADIO THAN ANY OTHER STATION IN THE U.S. All Day AND All Night (21 HOURS) *573,000 Spanish Speaking people listen to KWKW in the L.A. area. These Spanish Speaking Angelenos spend over one and twothirds MILLION Dollars per day! More than 319 Advertisers have used KWKW profitably for one year or more. PASADENA • LOS ANGELES V Spanish Language \. Station y L. A.— RYan 1-6744 S. F. — Theo B. Hall Eastern Rep. — National Time Sales GOVERNMENT CONTINUED MA, WHERE'S MY SPACE HELMET? The Soviet Union's earth satellite has revived advertiser interest in a radio-tv program, Space Cadets, which has been off the air almost two years. Rockhill Productions, New York, which produced the series for six years and still holds rights to it, reported last week that two hours after the announcement of Sputnik, the company began receiving inquiries about reactivating the series. Ted Hudes, an executive of Rockhill, said that more than 100 telephone calls, wires and letters had been received from advertisers, agencies, agents and promoters. He said plans now are being formulated for producing a new version of Space Cadets, with one significant change : moving the date of action of the series from the year 2350 (used in the old series) to 2057. Until it went off the air on January 1956, Space Cadets had been a network presentation for six years, carried, at various times by NBC-TV, CBS-TV and CBS Radio, DuMont Television Network and ABC-TV. Sponsors included Kellogg's, Kraft and the International Shoe Co. Before the news of the earth satellite, Rockhill had no plans to revive Space Cadets. communications, then we must begin studying this subject in all seriousness." Comr. Craven emphasized that the one most important subject as far as communications is concerned was to determine the best frequency for such use. "All we know now," he declared, "is that the higher up you go in frequencies, the better they get through the atmosphere." Edward W. Allen Jr., FCC chief engineer, expressed optimism that when the time comes to face the problem of space communciations, new frequency space will be available and scientists will have new techniques in use. He, too, noted that at the moment the space program is primarily scientific. Albert L. Mcintosh, chief of the FCC's Frequency Allocation & Treaty Div., also held that it was premature to speculate on the type and needs of space communication frequencies. He observed that most equipment in use or proposed to be used is being improvised from existing gear. He called attention to the obvious requirement for international agreements on frequencies and noted that space ships meant a new dimension for international radio agreements. John H. DeWitt, president of WSM-AMTV Nashville, Tenn., expressed the belief that the frequencies most useful for space communications would be those above 400500 mc. He foresaw a future demand for such space frequencies, but expressed the belief that there is plenty of spectrum space — plus new techniques for using this space. He also recalled that he once suggested that a space repeater be established using 10,000 mc and a 1 kw transmitter. High frequencies permit the use of small, high gain antennas, he noted. Mr. DeWitt in 1946 was the Army Signal Corps colonel responsible for bouncing a microwave signal off the moon, indicating the feasibility of this method of communications relay. The Russian satellite, weighing 184 lbs., was reported transmitting with a 1 w transmitter, on 20.05 mc and on 40.005 mc. The 20 mc band is the international standards frequency and is one of six frequencies used by the National Bureau of Standards' WWV (this standards station broadcasts standard frequencies on 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mc). The 40 mc band is internationally assigned to fixed and mobile services, plus aeronautical in Region 3 (Southern Hemisphere). In the U. S., 40 mc is assigned to government use. The U. S. satellites, are due to be shot aloft between December and March. The final, fully instrumentated sphere, will weigh 21 lbs. and will radiate seven signals, all on 108 mc. HALEY'S 'COMET IS NO MISNOMER They've always jokingly referred to Andrew G. Haley, Washington, D.C., radio attorney and rocket enthusiast, as "comet" — for the fast-moving and wide interests and travels of this big man (6 ft., 200 lbs.) from the Pacific Northwest. Last week, his name became known not only throughout the United States but throughout the world. It was pretty well known in radio and rocket circles before, but with the advent of space missiles it has become a worldwide household name. Mr. Haley, elected to be the 1958 president of the International Astronautical Federation at last week's conference in Barcelona, Spain, called for the United States Congress and the United Nations to define the boundary between national air and the "high seas" of airspace. He also urged that the moon be declared an "autonomous and free" territory. For the former, Mr. Haley suggested that 275,000 ft. altitude be accepted as the outermost limits of national sovereignty. He also expressed fear that if the Russians made a manned landing on the moon, or hit it with a missile, it could claim it as part of its territory. This is not the first time Mr. Haley has called for an international agreement governing outer space. Two years ago he proposed that the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva establish special frequencies for space travel guidance, telemetering and communications [Government, Nov. 21, Aug. 22, 1955]. Beginning early next month, Mr. Haley MR. HALEY Page 64 • October 14, 1957 Broadcasting