NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1945)

12 I^BC Transmitter WTMJ FM Affiliate Serves As Industry Test Model MILWAUKEE, WIS. The shape of things to come in FM higher-frequency broadcasting is reflected in experiments being carried on in Milwaukee. When the FCC recently allocated the 88to 103-megacycle band for frequency modulation broadcasting, only one station in the country held a permit to operate on a frequency within that band. That station was W9XK. broadcasting on 91 megacycles, owned and operated by The Milwaukee Journal, owners of Station WTMJ. At present, engineers, broadcasters and set manufacturers are watching with keen interest the experiments being conducted on W9XK— as a practical example today of FM broadcasting on the new frequencies tomorrow. A number of set manufacturers had voiced their intention of coming into Milwaukee to utilize the 91-megacycle signal of W9XK to field test their receivers. The FCC has asked The Journal to carry out tropospheric ( fading ) measurements on W9XK. and FM broadcasters throughout the nation are studying the results obtained, through the actual broadcasting on a frequency within the oflicial band. A pioneer leader in the FM field. The Journal took a long look into the FM future last June— came up with a re(juest to the FCC asking permission to operate a developmental station on 91 megacycles —well within the band later allocated for FM broadcasting. This was in conscious anticipation of FCC action in moving FM to a higher frequency, and to gain operating experience, make field checks, get a general headstart, if and when the FM hand was moved. And the WTMJ move })roved worthwhile. HVK Book Offer NEW YORK.-“World Peace Primer,” a booklet written by H. V. Kaltenhorn which traces the events leading to World War II and lists the steps taken by the United Nations to outlaw war in the future, is being offered to listeners in the cities in which his daily NBC news program is heard under sponsorship of the Sun Oil Co. Contained in the booklet are excerpts from important war documents. THROW ING THE SW'ITCH-Technical Supervisor Kenneth Gardner puts the new W'HFM transmitter on the air. W HAM’s affiliate is one of first FM units in nation to shift to neiv ware band (story at left). Salt Lake City Launches Parade of Stars Promotion SALT LAKE CITY. Station KDYL here is using special newspaper ads. billboards and an elaborate schedule of time on the air to promote the NBC Parade of Stars. L nder the guidance of S. S. Fox. president and general manager, the station had beeti making careful preparations for this year's Parade for many weeks before the campaign was launched. One member of the KD\L production staff has been assigned specifically to ])reparation of daily “Parade of Stars” programs on the air. and the station augments all this by using the “Parade of Stars” slogan with every station identification. Several hundred pictures of NBC stars have been mounted on special posters for use throughout the city. Many of these cards are being used in special window displavs at busy locations combining information about the j)rograms with the products advertised. The station has utilized special pages in the Intermountain Retailer magazine and exclusive news letters to the druggists of the area to tell about the Parade of Stars. Throughout all its copy, the station is concentrating on the theme that the NBC Parade of Stars means “the greatest shows in radio.” WHAM Affiliate Among First To Switch to New FM Band ROCHESTER, N. Y. WHFM-sister FM station of Stromberg-Carlson’s Station W HAM — started operation on the new FCC-designated FM band on October 15. The changeover was made a month after the government’s reallocation order. The high-frequency station had been functioning on the old spectrum since November of 1939. The new frequency at 98.9 megacycles was assigned by the FCC in September of 1945 and engineers immediately started the construction of new equipment, transmitter and antenna to replace the old one. Studios are located in the Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation Building. The old 45-megacycle channel, will be used for police, educational and other services as soon as present and future FM stations are able to reconvert to the new assignments. WHFM continues to broadcast at the old frequency 45.1 megacycles, simultaneously with the new operation. The changeover and operation makes WHFM one of the first in the nation to comply with FCC decision to shift FM stations to a higher band. William Fay, vice-president of Stromberg-Carlson and general manager of W'HFM said that those people already owning FM sets, would continue to receive the programs they are accustomed to on the old 45.1 megacycle band, until such time as enough new receivers are available to permit most present owners to replace their sets, and the new transmitter of WHFM was in full use. Fred C. Young, vice-president in charge of engineering and research for Stromberg-Carlson Company stated that inauguration of the new wavelength will aid and simplify field testing problems in development and manufacture of sets designed to receive on the newly-allocated wavelength. Fibber and Molly Aid Canada TORONTO— At the invitation of J. L. llsey. Minister of Finance of Canada, Jim and Marian Jordan brought their NBC “Fibber McGee and Molly” show to this city for the broadcast of October 30 to aid in the Canadian War Loan campaign.