Radio broadcast .. (1922-30)

THE MARCH and Interpretation of Qurrent cRadio Svents The Wages of the " Wavelength Pirate" Is Unpopularity LESSIMISTS feared that bedlam on the broadcast frequencies would be the inevitable result of the failure of Congress to provide radio legislation. Fortunately, nine out of ten broadcasters have realized the serious consequences arising from a destruction of the delicate wavelength structure which Secretary Hoover and his able assistants have built up during the last few years. At this writing, confusion has been limited to one or two highly congested areas. Comparatively few stations have taken advantage of the legal loopholes which the Courts and the procrastination of Congress have provided. Few have taken excursions into the lower frequency end of the broadcast band, heretofore reserved for the wellestablished pioneer stations. So consistently have the "pirates" failed to find these coveted wavelengths free of interference that their reward has been, in almost every instance, nothing less than public contempt. Their incompetence as broadcasters has been accentuated by a continuous heterodyne whistle which accompanies their mediocre programs. It is a tribute to the Department of Commerce that no real loop holes in the The illustration forming the heading is a view of the apparatus at the 2 to London station of the British Broadcasting Company atop Selfridge's store. Three kw. is the input to the antenna ether have been found by these self-seeking small boys of broadcasting. Before the summer is over, we may expect about 65 new stations and, in addition, attempts on the part of 48 or so existing stations to shift their wavelength upward. Until court decision, injunction, or legislation restores regulatory power, the listener's patience will be tried by exasperating interference. As a result, the position of the tried and true veterans for broadcasting will be still better established and their would-be imitators discredited. The public is being forcibly convinced of the undesirability of increasing the number of broadcasting stations. Legislation will be all the more drastic in its restrictions because of this distressing spectacle. The spirit of fair play demands that the case of the "little downtrodden broadcaster" be heard without prejudice. Who are these broadcasters, seeking a place in the wavelength spectrum? Have the moguls of the ether been granted exclusive wavelengths and liberal time on the air at the expense of small deserving stations? Would it not be ideal to give all who wish full opportunity to broadcast when they please? When broadcasting had its beginnings, some were far quicker than others to perceive its possibilities. These risked capital, erected stations, gained experience, established listener followings and won their right to a wavelength by rendering service. Others, after seeing the good will return accruing to these far-sighted pioneers, decided to go and do likewise. Many of these belated publicity seekers rushed, madly erecting stations without first ascertaining whether there was room for them on the air. The situation from which we now suffer is the clamor of these late-comers to get on the air. Their invasion was postponed by the Department of Commerce until the Courts proved it to be without authority to deny them licenses. These disturbers of the air cannot win the good will they seek. Even though we grant that their motives are no less altruistic than their predecessors, they are unwelcome to the broadcast listener. By interfering with reception from well established favorite stations, they incur only enmity. There is no room for them on the air. The extent of public antagonism to interference from overlapping broadcasting stations may be gained from reviewing the results of a questionnaire sent by RADIO BROADCAST to 2000 of its readers in all parts of the country. Asked what progressive movements in radio they wished