Radio annual and television yearbook (1941)

TELEVISION STATIONS • • rary cessation occurred to permit alteration in transmitter equipment necessary to comply with a new channel assignment made by the Federal Communications Commission. Since October 27, 1940, testing of the new equipment has been taking place in the form of an irregular and limited program schedule. When these tests are completed an increased program service is contemplated. Television transmissions over W2XBS have been in accordance with RMA Technical Standards. RCA studio and transmitter equipment is utilized. The programs are supplied from a direct pickup studio equipped with three cameras, a film studio equipped with two cameras, a mobile unit having two cameras for televising scenes outside the studio and a transportable unit for supplementing mobile unit service. A large variety of programs utilizing all methods of pickup has been transmitted, and a systematic study of audience reaction has been developed. The National Broadcasting Co. employs over 50 persons in its television activity. Signals of this station have been received within a radius of approximately 60 miles. Considerably longer distances are not uncommon. In fact, W2XB, a television transmitter in Schenectady, has relayed program from W2XBS after receiving signals over an air line distance of 120 miles. Besides this station the National Broadcasting Co. operates Television Station W2XBT. mobile television station v/hich operates on Channel No. 8 (162,000-168.000 Kc.) with a power of 400 Watts for sight transmission and 100 Watts for sound transmission. A transportable sight transmitter, W2XBU, is also operated by the National Broadcasting Co. This transmitter is licensed to operate in two channels (282,000 to 288,000 Kc. and 288,000 to 294.000 Kc.) The power for sight transmission for the latter is 15 watts. HISTORY Experimental television station W2XBS was originally installed at the RCA Technical and Test Laboratory, Van Cortlandt Park, New York City. The first construction permit was granted on April 4, 1928 and the first temporary license was issued in June, 1928. From time to time various station permits allowed television experimental transmission on 4800 Kc, 2300 to 3300 Kc, 2050 to 2150 Kc, 2000 to 2100 Kc. and 2100 to 2200 Kc. The first permanent license was issued on December 1, 1928 with an assigned frequency band of 2100 to 2200 Kc. In the latter part of 1928 the station was moved to the RCA Photophone Building, 411 Fifth Avenue. On June 27, 1930, it was moved to the Times Square Studio of the National Broadcasting Company, where on July 7. 1930 it passed from RCA to NBC management. In 1931 NBC television was carried on from W2XBS's present location on the top of the Empire State Building. During 1936 and 1937 NBC operated with the new high definition standards, demonstrating television to hundreds of groups from all walks of industrial and national life. In 1938 standards were further improved to conform with the Radio Manufacturers Association recommendations. Television mobile equipment was demonstrated in Washington, D. C, for Congress in February, 1939, just prior to the beginning of the New York public service on April 30, 1939. Outstanding transmissions since then include the Inaugural Exercises of the New York World's Fairs of 1939 and 1940; the complete proceedings of the Republican National Convention meeting in Philadelphia (sent by coaxial cable from Philadelphia to New York for transmission by W2XBS); the Democratic and Republican political rallies from Madison Square Garden prior to the 1940 election; and the transmission of actual returns on Election night. Standards of transmission continue to conform to recommendations of the RMA. Future standards to be used will be those chosen by the National Television Systems Committee. W2XBT AREA OF NEW YORK, N. Y. (PORTABLE) FREQUENCY: Sight 162000-168000 Kc POWER: Sight, 400 Watts; Sound, 100 Watts. OWNED AND OPERATED BY: National Broadcasting Co. BUSINESS ADDRESS: 30 Rockefeller Plaza. STUDIO ADDRESS: Variable (outdoor and indoor remotes). TRANSMITTER AND ANTENNA LOCATION: Variable (Mobile Unit IB). FACILITIES This transmitter is a mobile unit used for pickups of remote programs with public interest such as baseball, football, boxing, wrestling, parades, public meetings, sidewalk interviews, aircraft flying and performance, etc. The technical staff for the unit consists of nine persons. Two cameras connect to the unit by means of 400 to 800 feet of 32 conductor cable. Picture in its completed state is sent to the transmitter unit through the cable and thence to the Empire State Building receiving location by means of a permanent antenna on the unit or a portable antenna which is affixed to roof tops, etc. At the end of 1940 power was obtained from public utility mains (750 foot cable carried). The greatest distance of successful transmissions at the time of going to press was 27 miles on test and 24 miles on a regularly scheduled tennis telecast. 908