NBC transmitter (Oct-Dec 1944)

October 1944 WHAM Video Exhibit Proves Big Success at County Fair ROCHESTER. N. Y.-WHAM took its television equipment to the Genesee County Fair for a week’s show ing recently. Demonstrations were given in the Grange Hall and the residents of the surrounding country had their first look at “what’s to come.” The equipment used was the propert\ of the Stromberg-Carlson Company, owners of WHAM. A booth approximately 70 feet long and 20 feet deep was employed; the camera and lights were at one end and controls in the center of the display. At the other end, a set. simulating a living room with the receiver in the center, completed the layout. A pictorial display of the history of WHAM surrounded the exhibit. Approximately 10.000 persons viewed the demonstrations, which were scheduled at regular intervals. People were televised and a general talk on “what to expect” was given by Truman Brizee, promotion director of WHAM. A questionnaire proved that 95 per cent of the people were viewing television for the first time. Sixty per cent said they’d gladlv pay $200 to $300 for a set. and the people split their preference of programs between variety shows, public events and orchestra programs. With very few exceptions, everyone said they would have a set when available. WHAM took the demonstration to the fair at Palmyra. New York, late in September. Requests from other communities continued to come in. The Rochester station has applied for a television station. In the meanwhile, WHAM is doing its hit promotionally to keep listeners informed on video topics. LOOKING-IN — Ken Gardner, chief technical supervisor of WHAM, at the controls of the television equipment at the Genesee County Fair. (Story above). 11 VETS GET HARMONICAS THROUGH WTIC PLEA HARTFORD, CONN.-Bob Steele, announcer at WTIC, believes that one of the best ways to renew your faith in human nature is to become a radio announcer, get yourself a radio program and “a family of friendly listeners” and then make an appeal for some unfortunate member of that family, or for a service man, or anyone at all who is deserving of assistance. “I have seen ‘the family’ stampede to answer my own call so many times that I’m convinced there is absolutely nothing they wouldn’t do if it just had to he done, Boh explained. “Although my most recent appeal wasn’t what you’d call ‘urgent", 1 w as very anxious to see our listeners make good.” “Our listeners’" are the people who tune in “The Morning Watch, a solid hour of music, news, time announcements, and ad lib chatter, every morning but Sunday. Recently Boh bemoaned the fact that a harmonica was harder to find than a bargain sale on nylons, and he told of a request by an officer at the Avon Convalescent Home for Veterans at Avon. Connecticut. The request was for 35 harmonicas, for 35 veterans of World War II who wanted to learn to play the instruments and form a band, to pass some hours that were threatening to become just a little dreary. These veterans were blind. In spite of the harmonica shortage and the tendency of those who owned the precious things to cling to them. Steele received 31 harmonicas less than 24 hours NEW YORK. — Using newly assigned call letters WEAF-FM. NBC’s frequency modulation station in New York began operations Sunday, September 24. on a seven-day-a-week basis. According to C. L. Menser. NBC vicepresident in charge of programs. WEAFFM w ill transmit network programs onlv. The station, located in the Empire State Building, has been operating since 1939 on an experimental basis. Sponsored programs falling within the period of WEAF-FM’s operating time will be carried complete with commercials without an added service charge. This dual service plan was proposed earlier WTIC’s go-getting Bob Steele. after the initial plug. The second plug (the very next day ) was the last one. WTIC received 92 mouth organs, at least 35 of them expensive chromatics. Not one of the 92 was out of condition. Two were brand new. The instruments came from bank presidents. a major league ball player, doctors, lawyers, butchers, bakers and the rest. Th ree harmonicas came from parents of hoys missing in action. The parents said they wouldn’t think of parting with their sons’ harmonicas for any ordinary reasons, but that this one was certainly out of the ordinary. They came from Vermont. M aine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Newr York and Pennsylvania. The extra instruments, incidentally, w ill be put to use at the Avon institution, since other veterans w ill he coming along, and they, too, will want harmonicas to help while away the hours that drag. 7-DAY BASIS this year in a statement issued by Niles Trammell. NBC president. He said: “Recognizing that cooperation with advertisers is necessary to ensure a sound economic foundation for frequency modulation. NBC proposes that no additional charge be made to advertisers for the use of companion FM stations during their developmental period. The rate of the standard band stations and the FM stations w ill be established on the premise that it is a single service, for one charge, until such time as the combined total audience of both standard band and FM stations increases to a point where rate adjustments become desirable.” NBC N.Y. F-M STATION ON