NBC transmitter (Oct-Dec 1944)

November 1944 7 STATION WHAM TO BUILD HUGE POSTWAR “RADIO CITY” IN ROCHESTER Architects' perspective of the “ Radio City” planned for Rochester, Neiv York, by NBC affiliate WHAM. The structure will house a combination of AM, FM and television facilities. ROCHESTER. N. Y.-Plans by Stromberg-Carlson Company for the new WHAM. WHFM and television studios have been released by William A. Fay, vice-president in charge of broadcasting. It is planned to begin erection of the building early in the postwar period. Announcement was made several months ago of the application for a television license by the Stromberg-Carlson Company, and of the plans for a local “Radio City,” but no definite plans have been available until now. The building, a one-story structure, except for the auditorium, will house all three types of broadcasting services— amplitude modulation, frequency modulation and television, including studios for broadcasting these services. There will be five regular studios, a television studio, and an auditorium. The latter, a twostory chamber, w ill accommodate an audience of 350 and have a stage and other theatrical props. All studios will be suspended with floating floors thus eliminating outside noises. Offices and equipment storage areas fill the balance of space. The land on which the building and television transmitter will be erected is part of the large tract owned by Stromberg-Carlson bordering on Humboldt Street and Carlson Road, west of the main Stromberg-Carlson plant. There is ample room to expand the planned structure if and when it is necessary. Landscaping for the site will start immediately. Parking space for 164 cars is planned. Stromberg-Carlson ownership of WHAM dates back to 1927, when studios w'ere set up in the Sagamore Hotel and 12 people were on the staff. In 1928, WHAM was assigned a clear channel. A big forward step was taken when in 1929 the Rochester Civic Orchestra started its broadcasts to the nation from WHAM. Additional space was needed, so studios in the Eastman School were used for large musical organizations. In 1933, realizing the need for more reliable radio service to the surrounding area. WHAM applied to the FCC for an increase in power. A 50-kilowatt transmitter was constructed and WHAM’s power was increased from 5-kw. to 25-kw. in March of that year and in November the full 50.000 watts were put in use. Ever mindful of the desire of the radio audiences for better and clearer reception. WHAM erected a new single radiator type of antenna, 450 feet high, in Victor in 1938. Since that time the staff of WHAM has increased many times and additional space in the hotel, now known as the Sheraton, has been taken over to fulfill the expanding demands for modern studios and technical equipment. Plans for further similar expansion, coupled with the requirements when television gets under way locally will necessitate still larger facilities. The new building is designed to take care of all the=e presently apparent needs of the station and likewise provide for further future expansion. The very latest in equipment necessary for broadcasting all three services has been ordered and WHAM audiences can be assured of the finest possible programs and reception. Pointing to the interrelation between good broadcasting and a good receiving set for regular radio reception. FM and television. Lee McCanne, assistant general manager and secretary of Stromberg-Carlson. said that this new radio broadcasting center, with its television studios and FM transmitting equipment right on the company’s property, w ill provide some of the best testing facilities that any radio factory could possibly acquire. McCanne is responsible for maintaining qualitx standards at the factory. With closer coordination between factory engineers and station engineers. McCanne also felt that the time required for the development and field-testing of new models and improvement can be substantially reduced. Stromberg-Carlson V. P. Fav commented: “The new facilities provided bv Rochester’s Radio Citv w ill serve to assure better programs and higher quality reception for the listeners of standard broadcasting, frequency modulation and television. This new building w ill be an institution bearing favorable comparison w ith those of other great broadcasting companies throughout the country. NBC Gets Mail Ad Award NEW \ ORK.— NBC is one of America’s "Fifty-Five Mail Leaders’" named by the Direct Mail Advertising Association. Incas a result of the association’s annual contest. limited this year to mailing pieces which promote the nation’s war effort. NBC also took top award in the broadcasting industry.