Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1955)

2 Order makes no mention of RETMA’s standard intermediate frequency of 41.25 me, is aimed only at keeping radiation below the established limits. Set makers will have no trouble complying with order, in opinion of RETMA exec. v.p. James D. Secrest. He said at least 90% of current set production already conforms with the limits, and remaining few can easily meet them in time. Commission offered to cooperate with set makers to insure implementation of new rules. It proposed conference before March 1 to exchange information and devise best means of getting certification program off the ground. New radio receiver rule is first in new series of specific radiation orders. Others will apply to community antenna systems, wired campus-type radio systems, carrier systems, wireless phonographs, radio garage door openers, and the like. ALLOCATIONS QUIET, SENATE READIES HEARING: Like digesting a too-large Christmas dinner, industry is slowly ruminating the huge mass of comments on allocations filed with FCC last week (Vol. 11:51) — and wondering what to say on the next go-around. Though deadline for reply comments is Jan. 6, there has been at least one request for extension — Committee for Hometown TV asking 30 days — and chances are that Commission will grant 2 weeks' postponement next week. Commission is continuing firm in its policy of making vhf grants, meanwhile — clearing Evansville's Ch. 7 this week. Decision hasn't been released, but it's understood examiner's choice was affirmed, CP going to Evansville TV (Rex Schepp) over WEOA & WGBF. Another big decision, though not involving allocations, is due out next week — approval of NBC-West inghouse Philadelphia-Cleveland station swap (Vol. 11:21,25,43). Vote is said to have been 6-1, Bartley dissenting. First court appeal against vhf grants in de intermixture cases was made this week — KVDO-TV, Corpus Christ! (Ch. 22) asking Court of Appeals to review action of FCC and requesting stay of effectiveness of Ch. 6 grant to KRIS (Vol. 11:50). No major FCC action is expected Christmas week, no regular meeting scheduled. Following week may be light, too, for at least 2 commits si oners won't be in town — Chairman McConnaughey & Comr. Webster — and Commission usually delays action on big issues when vote is close and there are absentees. * ♦ # ♦ There were few late filings on allocations to add to those we digested last week (total: more than 150). The most substantial was that of consulting engineer & ex-FCC Comr. T.A.M. Craven, filing on his own. He argues that at least 65 channels are needed, suggests deintermixture be explored. He believes that more vhf channels should be obtained but that lower part of uhf band must also be used. Craven would like to see another vhf channel in 54-90-mc band, 14 more in 225-470-mc, plus the 38 uhf channels comprising Ch. 14-51. He suggests cutting coc!:annel separations to 160-mi. in Zone I, with 1250-ft. antenna maximum, 190-mi. in ^ne II & III with 2000-ft. antenna. He appends Zone I table of assignments which would create some uhf-only "islands," shifting some vhf stations to uhf. Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn. ) filed a "comment" — letter urging that FCC continue educational channel reservations because educators move slowly. * * ♦ ♦ Commission is doing its homework, too, preparing for Senate Commerce Committee hearing which starts Jan. 17. Committee began to show signs of life this week. Chairman Magnuson (D-Wash. ) announcing from Seattle the appointment of attorney Kenneth A. Cox "to direct the investigation into radio & TV" — taking over the post vacated last summer by New York attorney Sidney Davis. Cox is a partner in the Seattle firm of Little, LeSourd, Palmer, Scott and Slemmons. He's 39, had no previous experience in communications. He has already started work, according to Magnuson, is due in Washington first week in January. List of proposed witnesses is being prepared by committee staff, meanwhile, with first invitations to go out next week. Lead-off witness probably will be FCC Chairman McConnaughey. Hearings will be held by full committee under Magnuson, with some aspects of investigation possibly to be farmed out later to communications subcommittee under Sen. Pastore (D-R.I.).