Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

ordered to showdown, that TV Engineering Chief Curt Plummer and staff conducted two-a-day seminars all this v/eek for top echelon staffmen. FCC itself has set aside Monday, Dec. 16, for another field foray — first to New York, to do some testing on its own of CBS uhf signal propagation in various parts of city; then to Passaic, to look over DuMont TV set production (as it already has RCA's and Philco's). MSETIHS SET JA^. !0: omp 1 i cat X ons of full-scale convention (lack of time, scar city of hotel accommodations, no one man to organize' and run affair) caused projectors of new FM Assn, to abandon plans for New York meeting, decide’ instead on oneday business session in Washington’s Hotel Statler Jan. 10. Invitations to attend go out Dec. 10 to all FMers, plus manufacturers, transcription companies, news services, etc. Four-page membership form asks FMers detailed data on operations or plans. They are also asked to pay ^100 membership fee in advance of meeting, which will elect officers, discuss promotion plans, perhaps name executive director. SIGHT AND SOUND: It’s open season again, now that Charles R. Denny has been iippecl to FCC chairman, for speculation (usually guesswork) on who will get vacancy. At moment it looks like it will be deserving Democrat, probably, as so often in past, without any radio background. Known to be urged upon President Truman are: Maj. Gen. Harry C. Ingles, Army Chief Signal Ofncer, due to retire in June; Maj. Gen. Frank E. Stoner, Asst. Chief Signal Officer, now heading UN’s telecommunications committee; Commodore E. M. Webster, wartime Coast Guard Chief Communications Officer, now directing telecommunications for Federation of Ameriean Shipping, an ex-FCC asst, chief engineer under Comr. Jett when latter was chief engineer. And while we’re in the speculative realm, here’s one from Printers Ink, Nov. 29, day Paul Porter’s resignation from OPA was accepted: “He may resign any minute to become president of the American Broadcasting Co.” If a transcribed program runs 1 minute or less, broadcasters don’t have to announce it as such. That’s the only change FCC made in its rules respecting mechanical records, hearing on which was held last week (Vol. 2, No. 48). FM Rules Sec. 8.288 (Supplement No. 7) and AM Rules Sec. 3.407 were changed only by t’ne addition of this sentence to paragraph (c) : “Provided, however, that each such progTam of one minute or less need not be announced as such.” In filing for FM, new applicants generally haven’t asked for specific channels, since one is about a.s good as another. But Regional Broadcasting Co., Chicopee, Mass. (Supplement No. 14-F), scheduled for hearing with Springfield area applicants Feb. 5 (now 5 for 2 channels), points to requirements of Communications Act and asks for piarticular channel. Attorneys are curious what FCC will do about it. Conceivably, if permitted to specify channel none other has requested, Regional could petition for immediate grant. Electronic Engineering, published in I;Ondon, in November issue shows iiicture of new Philco TV receiver, resembling sloping-front desk when closed, with pushbutton raising lid to bring up viewing screen. There are 3 controls — for brightness, sound volume, sound tone. Circuit is 10-tube t.r.f., with 12-in. tube. Inquiry at Philco here elicits information that this is British set only, made by independent British company, not to be confused with forthcoming American models (Vol. 2, No. 48) ; that Philco has not yet set date for distributor convention, when it will fust unveil its still “top secret” receiver. CIO’s official stand on FM, contained in report on radio approved at recent Atlantic City convention, repeats allegation of “conspiracy” against FM : “Radio manufacturers have tried to unload outmoded radio receivers on the public at inflated prices. Certain large broadcasting interests have sabotaged the early and rapid development of FM.” Report also regrets grants to newspapers, urges unions to get FM — especially in rural areas “to dissipate the distorted views of labor held by certain segments of t’ne farm population.” TV got such impetus from RCA’s recent 5-day demonstration in Mexico City— highlighted by bullfight telecasts — that Latin American broadcasters are considering TV service for their respective countries, reports Meade Brunet, RCA International’s managing director. Demonstration drew 32,500 persons. And DuMont’s crew, after making portable TV cynosure of recent Miami Exposition (with WGBS) is now demonstrating in Havana, where Compania Importadora de Lubricantes, S.A., expects to have DuMontequipped station in regular operation in 6 months. Pearson-Alien petitioned FCC this week in renewed attempt to get WBAL’s past performance in Jan. 13 hearing record; they were disappointed when FCC failed to include question of station’s Blue Book discrepancies in issues announced 2 weeks ago (Vol, 2, Nos. 38, 39, 47). New company going into manufacture of.magnetii paper tape for recordings is Indiana Steel Products Co. Valparaiso, Ind., whose research engineei-, Hugh A. Pow ell, gave demonstration Tuesday in Chicago; company en gineers estimate cost of 30-minute spool at $1.50, comparec to 85 for wire. Although Bendix took wraps off its color TV receive this week (see story this issue), it’s not passing up mono chrome market. Company will show pilot model of 10-incI direct view black-and-white set at Chicago Fui’niture Mar beginning Jan. 6. It will also reveal FM line, schedule for February production. New peak-limiting amplifier, developed by E. E. Schro( dcr, WBBM-CBS, Chicago, is “good, better than most, according to engineers familiar with it; GE is now makin it under designation “BA-5-A Auto Gain.” RCA is sampling some dealer.^ with its less expensiv TV model, the 62ITS, with 7-inch tube, due to retail s $225, plus installation and seiwicing charge, BBC may film own news or features for TV present; tion under new 5-year charter effective Jan, 1. Londc reports this ends deadlock with opposing film industry.