Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

Page Twenty-four RADIO DOINGS February, 1931 WITH THE CCMMIJTICN Zone Equalization Policy Adopted After rejeeting sueeessively four proposals for effecting an equalization of radio broadcasting facilities among the Five Zones, and the States, the Federal Radio Commission has adopted a new policy, by means of which the long-talked-of equitable distribution is expected to be achieved. While this order will undoubtedly bring about a general though gradual, reallocation of frequencies and power over the country, the discrepancies, with a few exceptions, are so slight between the over-quota and the under-quota areas that no great shake-up of broadcasters as in the Fall of 1928 is anticipated. The plan, encompassed in a new General Order (No. 102) is a compromise of the four schemes formerly discarded and was proposed by Judge E. O. Sykes. It was adopted by a 4-to-l vote, Commissioner Harold A. Lafount dissenting. Mr. Lafount was the only one of the Commissioners who had not offered an equalization proposal. The order pointed out that the First and Second Zones, or the Eastern and Mid-Western areas, are under-quota, while the other three zones are over-quota. The States are about equally divided between those having more than their share of facilities and those having less. Under the new General Order, a Zone or a State that has its quota of radio facilities or more will not be granted any further frequencies or additional power. Broadcasters in an under-quota State within an over-quota Zone, however, may apply for facilities of over-quota States in the same Zone; or a station owner in an over-quota State may seek facilities already assigned to another station within the State. An applicant from an under-quota State may ask for facilities in use either in an over-quota State in the same Zone cr an over-quota State in an over-quota Zone. As the Order became effective upon its announcement, provision was made for all applications pending to be altered so as to conform with the new regulations. Under some of the plans formerly proposed, the shake-up would have been more abrupt. The plan adopted provides for a more gradual distribution. Illinois, New York, and California probably will be the greatest targets for under-quota States under this system as they lead the States in possessing more than their share of facilities. According to the 1930 census, under which the order will operate, Illinois is 10.28 units above quota, New York, 3.49, and California 2.68. * * * Prosecutor Prepares Radio Case Warren Olney, Jr., formerly an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, is in Washington preparing the Government's prosecution case against the Radio Corporation of America and nine other defendant corporations, alleged to constitute the "radio trust." The suit was instituted several months ago in Wilmington, Del., by the Department of Justice. Judge Olney has been employed by the Government as special prosecutor in the case. He is a graduate of the University of California and Harvard and holds an LL. D. from the former. W8XAR Will Use 400,000 Watts The highest powered broadcasting station in the world, W8XAR, at Pittsburgh, has been authorized to conduct experiments in the early morning hours to determine whether ultra-high powers can overcome fading, static and interference. Power of 400,000 watts, twice that of any previous experimental station and eight times the maximum power now permitted any station in the United States for regular service, is to be used. The Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, which also operates the oldest broadcasting station, KDKA, will operate the new transmitter. W8XAR will utilize the 980 kilocycle channel, now assigned KDKA, between 1 a. m. and 6 a. m. The power of the former will be stepped up gradually from 50,000 watts to 400,000 watts so as to ascertain the changes in reception achieved by each increase. Monitors are to be operated at strategic locations throughout the United States to pick up the signals of the superpower station. Phonograph records and speeches will be put on the air during the experiments. The highest power heretofore used in experiment was 200,000 watts and that was by the General Electric Company at Schenectady, N. Y. Technical improvements in transmitters are also expected to result from the W8XAR broadcasts. * * * Bill Seeks Educational Channels The Federal Radio Commission would be instructed to set aside 1 5 per cent of the broadcasting facilities available to the United States for educational purposes exclusively under the terms of a bill introduced by Senator Fess (Republican), of Ohio, in the Senate. The measure was sponsored by the National Committee on Education by Radio and educators who gathered in Chicago recently. The bill reads as follows: "Not less than 1? per cent, reckoned with due weight to all factors determining effective service, of the radio broadcasting facilities which are or may be subject to the control of or allocation by the Federal Radio Commission, shall be reserved for educational broadcasting exclusively, and allocated when and if applications are made therefor, to educational agencies of the Federal or State governments and to educational institutions chartered by the United States or by the respective States or Territories. " Organized broadcasters of the country are opposed to the proposal on the belief that it would constitute a waste of facilities, while even some members of the Radio Commission have expressed dislike for the plan on the grounds that other agencies would be discriminated against. Educators of the country are in complete accord with the proposed law and will give it their hearty support, the chairman of the National Committee on Education by Radio, Joy Elmer Morgan, stated. * * * Six-Months' License Period Delayed To prevent the expiration of broadcasting license in the middle of a dull summer period, the Federal Radio Commission has postponed its new order providing for broadcasting licenses of 6 months instead of 90 days from January 31 until April 30th. All broadcasters in good standing will have their licenses extended on January 31 for three months only as heretofore.