Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

SARTISI OODEL’s AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE OF THE VISUAL BROADCASTING AND FREQUENCY MODULATION ARTS AND INDUSTRY PUBLISHES WEEKLY BY ff SUB19 HEWS BUREAU, 1519 C3HTCC8T fiVE. Of., WASH2HSI39I 8, 9.C. TELEPHONE KiSIUSAS 2023 • VOL 3, MO. 8 February 22, 1947 g»PJ| aii'l ri Reports BEPOST ON STBATOVISiON: Not much doubt about it in the minds of Westinghouse officials and engineers — Stratovision works ! Actual measurements of experiments to date are presented in still-restricted, 475-page report, replete with graphs, monitoring logs, etc. The FCC, Navy and ,few others have copies, and data largely Substantiates expectations of wide-area coverage on AM, FM, TV, uhf frequencies (Vol. 2, No. 37, 21; Vol. 1, No. 1). ’’Skyhook" transmission experiments thus far indicate feasibility of this kind of coverage: 1 kw AM at 30,000 ft (1020 kc) — satisfactory (500 uv/m) service over radius of about 110 miles, with fading wall /pushed back to about 200 miles; 250-watt FM at 20,000 ft (107.5 me) — satisfactory reception over radius of 180200 miles ; 5 kw pulse transmission simulating TV at 20,000 ft (514 me) — -good reception over radius of 140-200 miles. Receiving antenna for uhf is critical factor, height being important. No low-band TV tests have yet been attempted, but coverage is assumed about same as for FM. Young "Chili" Nobles, Stratovision ' s unflagging protagonist, admits fthere are still bugs in the system — but he's sure none is unsurmountable. On technical side , for example, there's problem of getting plane to make very small circle without banking, so as to avoid fluctuations in Signal strength. On economic side, there's question whether "sky stations" can be operated cheaply enough in comparison with conventional "land stations." Next step in continuing experiments will be broadcasts with FM and TV transmitters from a 4-motor plane at 30,000-plus feet. Tests should start in late summer or early fall. Plane will fly from Boston to Washington and reception charted at widely separate points. TV viewers will also be asked to report on reception. FM's INB3AB3 IRK AND PSBK: Cooler heads among radio Set makers are agreed FM will be "merchandising" salvation of their industry, already feeling pinch of reduced demand — as reflected in lowering prices and (for first time since 1941) in willingness to take trade-ins. But some manufacturers, irked by FM promotion while their own FM production lags (Vol. 3, No. 7), are cautioning against an excess of zeal on part of FMers to get sets into hands of public and thus gain audiences. Chicago meeting of perturbed RMA board Wednesday brought general reaction that present "hard" selling of FI/I ("a set without FM is obsolete") is not a good idea. Even some of FM’S staunchest boosters among manufacturers agreed. For one thing, shortage of components (right now, 2-gang condensers) still prevails to thwart quantity production. For another, some claimed FM still faces problems of receiver design and engineering. On the other hand. Zenith plumped hard in dealer trade press this week with big displays of its §59.95 table model with AM and 2 FM bands; and last week Pilot offered table model, too (Vol. 3, No. 7). Besides arguing there are Still "bugs" in FM receivers, some none-too-happy manufacturers took position FM should be soft-pedaled for time being because (a) stations are still too low powered, (b) high calibre programs are still lacking, Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau