Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1956)

state commerce of other than UHF-equipped receivers might be found to be necessary. We can make no definite recommendations at this time as to specific legislation; we do believe, however, that this is an important facet of the overall problem which cannot be overlooked. 25. For all the foregoing reasons the Commission is convinced that it should now undertake a thorough, searching analysis of the possibilities for improving and expanding the nationwide television system through the exclusive use of the UHF band throughout or in a major portion of the United States. In order, however, to lay the basis for the formulation of a definite plan or proposal in a form suitable for consideration in a formal rule making proceeding, it will be necessary first to obtain facts and data relating to the basic problems, discussed in paragraphs 19 through 24 concerning UHF’s capacity to provide a complete television service without the concomitant use of VHF channels, and the best means of effecting a transition to an all-UHF system. The Commission will welcome the submission of comments and data on these problems by all interested parties. The comments should refer to “FCC Inquiry Into The Feasibility Of Transferring Television Broadcasting To The UHF Band”, and should be submitted, in an original and 14 copies, by Oct. 1, 1956. The Commission will decide what further proceedings will be appropriate after considering those comments. 26. Concerning the first group of problems relating to the technical performance of UHF transmitters and receivers we believe that it will be necessary to achieve some progress with the suggested program of research and development before it will be useful to establish an extensive record on these subjects. The Commission will, however, accept any comments which interested parties may feel it may be useful to submit on this aspect of the matter at this time. We will especially welcome comments at this time concerning the most effective methods for conducting and expediting this suggested research and development program. 27. An additional group of problems concerns the question of the most efficient utilization of the VHF frequencies now allocated to television broadcasting, taking into account both the problems of television allocations and the uses to which these frequencies might be put by other services. It would be premature to examine the latter uses in detail, at this stage, since even assuming the successful disposition of the technical problems of an allUHF system developments in the interim may considerably alter the present circumstances of the other services. At the same time, it may be useful to note briefly several developments which indicate growing need of additional space in the VHF portion of the spectrum for other services. 28. Recently there has been considerable development of techniques employing ionospheric scatter for pointto-point or fixed communication. It is in use outside the United States and appears to offer possibilities for domestic use and for international use between the United States and other countries. The useful frequency range is between about 30 and 60 me. As the sunspot cycle advances widespread interference is caused to the mobile services which are now using the same frequencies for domestic operation. Whether the use of ionospheric scatter circuits is limited to foreign areas or in the event that there will be domestic demands for this service, the question is raised whether frequencies in the range of 30 to 60 me should be set aside for this service within the next 5 or 10 years. 29. The conditions of use and the characteristics of radio systems employed by the land mobile services indicate that the lower VHF spectrum may be well adapted to their needs. Many of these services are related to ti’ading areas in much the same manner as the broadcast service. Thus they have need for substantially the same coverage areas. However, only the base transmitting and I receiving antennas can be raised above rooftop and tree! top levels, and in general the base station uses lower antennas and lesser powers than broadcast stations. The I governing factor, however, is the severely restricted powers and antenna heights which are available to mobile units. Only in exceptional cases do they operate from clear sites, and it is imperative that for longer ranges they have frequencies suited to their needs. The lower VHF frequencies are less affected by hills, structures and vegetation. They also permit longer mobile antennas and more sensitive receivers. These factors indicate the desirability of considering the allocation of lower VHF frequencies to the land mobile services. 30. It is evident that the need and demand for more accommodation for land mobile services has been increasing substantially in the recent past and promises to increase further as the industrial uses of radio continue to develop. These factors raise basic questions concerning spectrum allocation which go further than the requirements of television broadcasting alone, and which take into account the rising needs of other services. Thus the question of the transfer of television broadcasting to UHF has the dual aspect of the possible improvement it may I provide in the opportunity for achieving the goals of the j nationwide television system upon the one hand and of accommodating expanding needs and requirements of industry on the other. Interim Action 31. There remains the problem of interim action which should be taken pending resolution of the long range problems already discussed. Since some years would be required in any event for the full implementation of an all-UHF system, the Commission believes that steps should i be taken in the meantime to improve the opportunities for effective competition among a greater number of stations. As already indicated, a basic choice in many markets at this time lies between the elimination of VHF channel assignments to create improved opportunities for UHF broadcasting and, alternatively, the assignment of additional local VHF channels. Because of the widely varying circumstances in individual markets and the numerous factors which bear on the choice of techniques in any individual community or area, it is not possible to formulate rigid criteria whose perfunctory application to individual cases will automatically indicate the course which would best serve the public interest in each community during the interim period. We have concluded, however, after extensive review of all the proposals which have been submitted to us for the elimination or addition of commercial VHF assignments, that the following considerations will have important bearing on decisions in specific communities or areas. In markets with one or more commercial VHF assignments, the merits of proposals to eliminate a VHF commercial assignment would depend to a large extent on such factors as : (1) Whether significant numbers of people would lack service as a result of the elimination of the VHF channel. (2) Whether one or more UHF stations are operating in the area. (3) Whether a reasonably high proportion of the sets in use can receive UHF signals. (4) Whether the terrain is reasonably favorable for UHF coverage. (5) Whether, taking into account all the local circumstances, the elimination of a VHF channel would be consistent with the objective of improving the oppor j tunities for effective competition among a greater i number of stations. i The desirability of assigning a first VHP' channel or of adding an additional VHF channel would depend princi' pally upon: 6