Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

Trenton, N. J., cenain areas in Eastern and South Eastern Pennsylvania, and several towns within a 100-mile radius of Atlanta, Ga." In the important field of ultra-high-frequency (UHF) television, hailed as the means of supplement- ing the present ver)'-high-frequency (VHP) television to bring about a truly nationwide television service, the various divisions and departments of RCA showed marked progress during the past year in adding to their pioneering work, he continued. "New developments in rubes, receivers, converters, antennas and transmitters contributed to a high order of quality and reliability in recent demonstrations of UHF television," he reported. "These demonstrations centered about the RCA-NBC UHF television transmitter near Bridgeport, Conn., the first and only experimental UHF transmitter operating on a regular schedule. Receivers installed in the surrounding homes by the RCA Service Company provided 'listening posts' from which much valuable data were obtained." Radio-Phonograph Business in Healthy State Mr. Folsom, pointing out that "the glamour of tele- vision sometimes overshadows the fact that the radio and phonograph businesses also are in a very healthy condition," revealed that the production of radio re- ceivers and radio-phonograph combinations during 1951 was approximately 12,000,000 units — more than double the number of TV set sales. This raised the number of radio sets in use throughout the country to more than 100,000,000, or an average of more than two sets per family, he said. Plans of RCA Victor to enter the room air condi- tioning field in the coming year were reported to have been completed. Sales of recorded music rose sharply in 1951, estab- lishing a trend that Mr. Folsom said is expeaed to con- tinue throughout the next year, with the increasing popularity of both the RCA Victor 45 and 33 Vi systems. Discussing the future production outlook, Mr. Folsom declared: "With a sharp increase in military deliveries scheduled, domestic production in 1952 is expected to be somewhat lower than in 1951. It is probable, how- ever, that the industry as a whole will produce between 4 and AVz million television receivers and 9 to 10 million radio sets and radio-phonograph combinations. Limiting Factors in Production "The limiting factor in domestic production will be, of course, the availability of raw materials and com- ponent pans. Curtailment of supplies for non-military production is expected to be felt most during the first half of 1952. This condition may improve to some ex- tent in the second half, as the expanded production of suppliers begins to reach manufacturers." RCA achieved high levels of production and service in 1951 through the outstanding teamwork and co- operation of its employees and the thousands of in- dependently-owned companies that supplied raw ma- terials, component pans, and various types of special ser^'ices, said Mr. Folsom, adding: "As one dramatic example of this teamwork and cooperation, RCA was able to begin deliveries of the new 'walkie-talkie' it developed for the U. S. Signal Corps sixty days ahead of a super-rush deadline. "Another example of the importance of RCA sup- pliers is seen in the cooperation of 560 different com- panies on just three of the Corporation's Air Force pro- duction contracts. "These are but two instances of American team-play operating in the best interests of the Nation. They are clear proof, however, that the products and services of modern American industry come from no single self- sufficient source, but from a wide range of interests welded together by a common purpose — the national welfare." More than 15,000,000 American homes now enjoy television program service.