Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1963)

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of direct broadcasts have been expressed by Dr. John Pierce of Bell Telephone Laboratories and former FCC Commissioner T.A.M. Craven. High Powers ■ For direct broadcasting from satellites to home sets, a basic requirement is high powers from the transmitting spacecraft, and more sensitive receiving antennas for home use. Involved in these considerations are transmitter circuit designs, satellite stabilization, power supplies and directional transmitting antennas. Since all this would require a satellite weighing 500 to 1 ,000 pounds, more powerful rockets would be needed. This requirement may be answered in the Saturn rocket under development by NASA. American communications satellites have up to now weighed less than 200 pounds and have radiated not more than 10 w. Conference Closes ■ Signatures to the final documents agreeing to international allocations for space communications were affixed Friday afternoon by the representatives of the more than 70 nations which had over 400 delegates to the Geneva space conference. Chairman of the United States delegation was Joseph H. McConnell, president of Reynolds Metals Co., and former president of NBC. The conference was one of the most harmonious in recent years, observers stressed. For the first time, it was pointed out, the United States, USSR, United Kingdom and France cooperated closely in order to insure that space communications will become a reality. The only problems, it's understood, came from some of the smaller and newer nations who seemed to fear that the space allocations would deprive them of frequencies for home use. Although the details of the agreements were lacking at this writing, it is believed that an amicable compromise was effected between the United State's proposal to use 2,725 mc for space communications activities, distributed between 3,700 mc and 8,400 mc in the radio spectrum, and the USSR recommendation that the total amount be not more than 1,600 mc. The UK had suggested that 3,000 mc be used for this purpose. Bandwidths are wide enough to carry TV, it was understood. Other items at which agreement was reached at Geneva were: identification of satellites, bands for radio astronomy, bands for amateur radio operators and time delay limits for telephone circuits. Comsat Ready ■ With the conclusion of the conference and the assignment of frequencies for space satellites to use in communications, the wheels of the Communications Satellite Corp. in Washington began to turn. Although there is much technical data to be worked out, the private space Although there is a general impression that broadcast equipment makers are in the doldrums (the AM freeze, the FM freeze, no major rush for UHF television), this isn't completely true. There is still a significant market for studio equipment. Take RCA for example. In October, RCA's broadcast and communications products division established an all-time high production record in a single month for two items of studio broadcast gear: the TR-22, transistorized TV tape recorder, and the TK-60 4V2-inch image orthicon camera. The company turned out 25 of the TR-22 recorders last month. This brings to 150 units RCA's total production since first shipments began in October 1962. The division also turned out 40 TK60's last month. Since commercial deliveries began in May 1961, more than 250 of these 4Vi-inch IO cameras have been produced and shipped. In many cases, it is pointed out, the tape recorder and camera were purchased as a package since the two items were designed to operate together. Although the bulk of TR-22 sales has been to networks and stations in this country, a large number has gone to England, France, Italy, West Germany, Australia and other countries. The recorder is available in two "switchable" models: one with 525-625 and 405 communications company, established by Congress early this year, is getting ready to issue its first stock offering, reported to be about $200 million. This is expected to be placed on the market early next year. Technically, Comsat has not yet determined exactly what sort of a system its circuits will be. Although now assured of proper frequencies, and with some degree of assurance that the nations of the world will cooperate in the venture, no decision has been reached as to whether the satellite communications system should be medium altitude (6,000 miles, requiring 30-40 satellites in random orbit) or a synchronous system whereby three Syncoms at 22,300 miles above the earth would be sufficient to cover 98% of the planet. Under the terms of its congressional charter, Comsat will be owned jointly by public investors and common carriers. Neither may own more than 50% of the company, and there are restrictions on the amount a single person or entity may earn in either category. Each group of joint owners will elect six directors. Three additional directors will be appointed by the President. lines and the other with 525-625 and 819 lines. RCA's 41/2-inch IO camera was first demonstrated at the 1960 NAB convention in Chicago. Users include stations and networks (ABC has purchased 26 of them), and production studios, the Navy and Air Force and broadcasters in Japan. Nigeria and Thailand. The camera is also being used for closed circuit educational work in Los Angeles public school system and at Brooklyn College, N. Y. Radio group against super power stations The Association on Broadcasting Standards last week urged the FCC to hold an en banc hearing on the "crucial technical problems of standard broadcasting." Meeting in Washington last week, the ABS board also adopted a resolution urging the commission not to approve "super power" operations for Class 1-A clear channel stations above 50 kw. The board reaffirmed its "action" program to oppose all proposals that would "destroy or degrade optimum radio service" in the U. S. Joe Hartenbower, vice president-general manager of kcmo-am-tv Kansas City, Mo., and ABS president, said the board made a careful analysis of the however, that weak vertically polarized signals were well received by vertical antennas. These conditions increased with distance from the two FM stations being measured: wmalfm and wgms-fm, both Washington. So impressed was wgms-fm with the possibilities that it gave Mr. Silliman the go ahead to transform its facilities into a dual operaton. Its new vertical antenna is due to become operational early next month. Wgms-fm is authorized to operate with 20 kw ERP. It is putting in a new Collins transmitter that will permit it to radiate that amount from both its horizontal and its new vertical antenna. Mr. Silliman has also personally invested in what he believes is the future transmission system for FM; he is the controlling stockholder and president of Electronics Research Inc., Evansville, Ind., which is supplying vertical dipole antennas to Collins and Gates Radio in their horizontal-vertical FM installations. RCA's TK-60, TR-22 set production records STUDIO EQUIPMENT SALES SINK DOLDRUMS THEORY BROADCASTING, November 11, 1963 87