Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1963)

EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING COMSAT SATELLITE BY '65? Designs for operational commercial system being sought A one-way TV channel in 1965 linking the U. S. and Europe on an experimental-operational basis via a synchronous satellite is a distinct possibility if the plans of the Communications Satellite Corp. are carried out. This is one of the promises held out by Comsat in issuing invitations Dec. 22 for the design of an operational commercial satellite communications system. The call for design proposals implied that a commercial TV global link should be in operation in 1966, with global coverage in 1967 for intermediate altitude systems; and in 1967 initially and 1968 globally for synchronous systems. The intermediate altitude system calls for a number of satellites in random orbit from 5,000 to 12,000 nautical miles above earth; the synchronous system calls for several satellites at 19,300 miles above the earth, (equivalent to 22,300 statute miles). This would keep the satellites over a fixed spot on earth since the satellites and the earth would rotate at the same speed. All Purpose ■ In making its invitation public and referring to the possibility of a synchronous satellite in 1965, Comsat said the stationary relay would also be capable of carrying facsimile, data or 240 two-way voice circuits (Broadcasting, Dec. 23). Proposals are invited by Feb. 10, 1964. The designs shall be for an active repeater with an operating life of at least three years. They shall be capable initially of "one-way transmission of a commercial monochrome television signal, or on an alternate basis with the transmission of two-way, 4 kc channels." By 1966-68 designs should permit a minimum per satellite of 270, two-way channels; by 1969, 400 two-way 4 kc channels; by 1970, 600; 1971, 800, and 1972, 1,200. For design purposes, Comsat spells out these assumptions on the number of satellites which should be capable of being launched either singly or in clusters; random intermediate altitude system, 1 8 satellites at 90° inclination; phased intermediate altitude system, 12 satellites in two orbit planes of six each at 90° inclination; stationary system, six satellites. Frequencies specified are 59256425 mc for the up link; 3700-4200 mc for the down link. These bands are among those approved for satellite communications at Geneva last month. The following companies have received the Comsat invitation: RCA, Bendix, General Dynamics. GE, Gen eral Telephone & Electronics, Hughes Aircraft, IT&T, AT&T, Lockheed Aircraft. Martin Co., Motorola, Philco. Raytheon, Space Technology Labs and Westinghouse. Ampex plans addition at Colorado Springs Ampex Corp., Redwood City, Calif., which has announced plans to introduce more than 30 new products in the current fiscal year, also said it will manufacture some of them at the firm's planned 100,000 square foot plant in Colorado Springs. The plant site will be the fourth Ampex manufacturing facility in the U. S. Construction of the Colorado Springs plant will begin in the spring. An additional 150,000 square-foot addition at the firm*s Redwood City Headquarters is also under consideration by the board of directors. ABS opposes WWL's high power petition Countering the enthusiastic voices of clear-channel AM operators, the Association on Broadcasting Standards is sticking to its policy statement adopted last November that clear-channel power greater than 50 kw would ultimately be detrimental to all radio service. The revoicing of the policy was in an opposition to a petition by wwl New Orleans, which asked the FCC to institute a new clear channel, high power rulemaking. The wwl requested rulemaking proposed socio-economic and engineering studies, and a joint industrygovernment effort to lay groundwork for high-power operation (Broadcasting, Nov. 18). ABS told the commission that it is "fundamentally opposed to the authorization of 'superpower' for standard broadcast [AM] stations in the U.S." Contrary to any evidence of need, ABS said, indications are that powers greater than 50 kw could prove detrimental to other stations. The November policy statement of ABS said the association "strongly supports the intent of Congress that optimum radio service must be assured for all people of the U.S. and that any attempts to destroy or degrade the present fine radio service must be vigorously opposed." Wwl's petition for rulemaking was also "vigorously opposed" on the grounds that the station failed to sup ply necessary "facts, views arguments, and data deemed to support the action requested" as required by commission rules. There is also on record a clear channel rulemaking filed by the Clear Channel Broadcasting Service, which represents stations licensed to class I-A frequencies. Wwl expressed no opposition to that rulemaking proposal except as it would provide greater power to all 25 clear-channel frequencies. A recent court decision upheld an FCC action which provided for duplication of 13 of the clear channels and wwl's proposal involved only the 12 nonduplicated frequencies. There are presently on file five applications for experimental high power operation and other stations have expressed their intent to make similar filings. ABS also opposes experimental operations. All-channel committee hears report on UHF The executive committee of the Committee for Full Development of AllChannel Broadcasting met in New York Dec. 20 and heard progress reports on various facets of UHF activities. FCC Commissioner Robert E. Lee, who is chairman of the all-channel committee, reported he had discussed with representatives of the Treasury, Commerce and Justice Departments the possibility of their support for legislation to eliminate the excise tax on all-channel receivers. It is hoped that repeal of the excise tax would bring prices of allchannel sets more in line with prices of VHF sets and thus stimulate sales of the former. The report was given to a meeting on activities of the committee on consumer information, which has produced informational film designed to explain UHF to dealers, service men and the general public. It will be available shortly for showing to interested groups. Technical topics... Fair equipment ■ Thirty-eight transistorized video/pulse distribution amplifiers have been manufactured by International Nuclear Corp., Nashville, for use by the New York Telephone Co. in the 1964 New York World's Fair. The telephone company must handle all fair communications, including live TV relays for nationwide color telecasts, and the INC equipment will enable it to utilize more TV circuits than ordinary. New plant ■ Mackenzie Laboratories has opened a new factory at 1367 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, Calif., following completion of arrange 48 BROADCASTING, December 30, 1963