NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1940)

neer of the FCC, with Mr. R. M. Wilmotte as Chairman, was highlighted by Mr. Ring's statement that there might be an increase to 1,000 to 1,200 stations on the present band before saturation and that the country could economically support maii}^ more stations than this. Mr. Ring continued that this factor brought out the possi¬ bility of using the Ultra High Frequencies. The use of the FFH.F. has taken three turns of mind: 1 — Amplitude Modulation, 2 — Narrow Band Frequency Modulation, and .1 — ^^'ide Band Frequency Modulation. It was Mr. Ring's opinion that for practical purposes there is no difference in quality between AM in the standard band, AM on UHF, and FM on UHF. He pointed out that if we did change over to the FM system that approxi¬ mately forty million receiving sets would need to be replaced. There are, either operating, or applications in for operation, for between 50 and 60 FM stations, and that no further grants will be made until after the March 18 hearing on the use of UHF. Mr. Ring stated that the quality received now is limited mainly by the microphone and loud speaker. He also pointed out that distortion was the main factor in the majority of listeners turning the tone control down on the receivers and that while the listener would lose high frequencies in doing this, he also lost the more undesirable distortions. Mr. Ring stated that FM transmitters are less expensive and the FM receivers more expensive and that in view of public interest this is not the right trend for the indus¬ try to follow. Mr. Ring said that there is some question as to whether television is technically far enough along to be put in regular service and that the FCC is making a detailed study of the situation and would probably have a decision on television within a few weeks. In regard to the Havana Agreement, Mr. Ring said that approximately 730 stations must change their frequen¬ cies and that the FCC tentatively expects to make the change on August 1. Two methods of making the change¬ over have been discussed. One was to do it piecemeal on the theory that it would be easier for manufacturers to supply crystals and the other that the change-overs all be done at the same time. Mr. Ring pointed out that the total time consumed would probably be about the same in both cases and that there more likely would be more confusion by the piecemeal method than by making the change all at once. iMr. Ring said that within a few weeks after the Mexican Government advises the Cuban clearing house that it has ratified the treaty, all licensees will be notified to show cause why they should not be changed to their new frequen¬ cies and then the FTnited States Government will file with the Havana clearing house the changes contem¬ plated in the United States and then any inter-country allocation problems will be ironed out in a conference. Further study was being made by the FCC to deter¬ mine how long it will take to get new crystals, retune transmitters, retune antennas and change directional arrays; and that there will be at least 2 months from the time of notification to the time of change in order to allow the stations to prepare for the switch-over. In connection with the change-over, Mr. Ring stated that the FCC requirement that power be measured directly in the antenna, would be postponed until about 2 months after the change. It was Mr. Ring’s belief that it is desirable to reduce detailed regulation of broadcasting stations as soon as the FCC feels that the broadcasters will operate their stations properly with¬ out supervision or spasmotic supervision. This is in line with the recent FCC relaxation of its stringent rule concerning the substitution of antenna and plate meters, and is in line with a request made by NAB in the June 6, 1938 hearing on new rules and regulations. One of the most significant conference periods was that devoted to the study of noise, made by Mr. J. H. DeWitt, Chief Engineer of Radio station WSM, of Nash¬ ville, Tennessee. Mr. DeWitt described the extensive research problem carried on under his direction at WSM, in determining the amount of noise background which the average person can be subject to and still consider the service received as being good. He also described the equipment developed for measuring noise and the extensive measurements made in the WSM area. Mr. DeWitt said that there were about 1,800 thunder storms on earth at any given time and he pointed out that thunder storm disturbances were better propagated at night, such as are regular radio signals. Mr. DeWitt pointed out that to get noise measurements compre¬ hensively enough to indicate coverage, that a large amount of work was involved. It is rather strange that through¬ out the history of broadcasting we have worried a great deal about the strength of interfering signals and the limitations they have placed on coverage and yet we have never developed a real engineering basis for the limits of coverage placed on us by atmospherics and man made interference. It is the opinion of the Director of Engineering that Mr. DeWitt has started a too long delayed phase of our work and that the industry should be encouraged to further the investigation of this phase. The difficulties in carrying out such work as pointed out by Mr. DeWitt are great and undoubtedly have been the deteriorating force, however, Mr. DeWitt has now laid a good foundation on which to continue such studies and it is hoped that in the course of the next few years we might have as complete knowledge on this subject as we now have on the effects of inter¬ fering signals. Frequency Modulation development should be accompanied by extensive studies on noise. As in the first 2 conferences the “Roundtable on Receivers,” conducted by D. D. Israel, of the Emerson Radio Company and William F. Cotter of the Stromberg-Carlson Company was of great interest. Mr. R. March 1, 1940 4068