Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

aural, 204 ft antenna height, studio and transmitter in Hotel Somerset, RCA equipment, estimated construction cost §190,490, monthly operating cost §10, 000-§15, 000. Second Boston applicant is Empire Coil Co. Inc., New Rochelle, N. Y., already applicant for Hartford (Vol. 3, No. 35) — though last week it asked for Water bury instead — and for Cleveland (Vol. 3, No. 40). Empire also seeks Channel 9, stipulating 25.6 kw visual power, 13.46 kw aural, 617 ft antenna, studio-transmitter at Sharon, RCA equipment, §246,250 plant, §10,000 monthly operating cost. Boston area is assigned 5 channels, has 3 CPs (Westinghouse , Yankee, Raytheon), now has 3 applicants (third being Paramount's New England Theatres). Last Thursday, Westinghouse laid cornerstone for its new Radio-TV plant adjoining Harvard Stadium, promised Boston its first TV outlet "prior to March 1, 1948." Waterbury's second application is from Fairfield Bcstg. Co. , Danbury, Conn. , owned by big Lee Hat Co. interests, who also own Danbury News-Times and seek Danbury AM-FM grants. They stipulate city’s sole channel. No. 11, with 20 kw visual and aural power, transmitter at Naugatuck, RCA equipment, §267,000 installation, §12,000 monthly operating cost. Harrisburg application is from Harold 0. Bishop, radio engineer, who operates FM stations WABX, Harrisburg, and WXNJ, Greenbrook Twp., N. J. City is entitled to one channel. No. 8, for which WHP-Harrisburg Telegraph interests have also applied (Vol. 3, No. 37). Bishop stipulates 1.82 kw visual (community) power, aural unspecified, studio-transmitter at 604-A Maclay St. (site of FM) , 470 ft antenna, DuMont equipment, §100,000 plant, §6,500 monthly operating cost. He gives assets of §94,400, proposes to affiliate with DuMont and Philco, states he has been approached by Harrisburg Congressman John C. Kunkel (Rep.) for 50% interest. FCC WEARYING OF FM SLACKERS: Toughest FCC crackdown yet on any laggard FM grantee was this week's ultimatum to Capital Broadcasting Co., Annapolis, Md. Company wanted to hold off construction pending action on its AM application, was told, in effect: "OK — 90 days, but you come around with request for STA by then or give up grant." As for others with "we need more time please," ‘Commission is giving few extensions beyond year's end. It got tired of dilly-dallying with Minnesota's exGov. and ex-Sen. Elmer Benson, too. Wearied of asking for accounting data, it dismissed his Duluth and Rochester applications, though he does have Minneapolis grant. On the grant side this week, first full limit (6) ever authorized at one swoop were 1 kw applications of Rural Radio Network in New York State (Supp. 55-C). They received Class Bs, despite low power, because of considerable height. FCC is really up to date in its processing — only 40-odd FM applications (all recent) awaiting action, 69 in hearing, with proposed decisions out on 24 of latter. COAST FM RECEPTION PROBLEMS: Word from West Coast reaffirms, more than ever, fact that few current FM reception problems can't be solved by any or all the following: higher antenna, higher power, better receivers, properly oriented receiving antenna. Responsible for troubled signals are rugged hills, such as those of Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, causing multi-path reflections. Problem has been serious enough to warrant two reports to FCC — from KFI's Curtis V/. Mason and KHJ's Frank M. Kennedy — and plans for full scale tests early next year by Washington engineering consultants Weldon & Carr. Underlying all reports we've received is apprehension over poor sets. TALKING UP DENNY SUCCESSOR: Whoever's press-agenting Telford Taylor for FCC chair manship — it probably began with Ed Cooper, his colleague of early New Deal days on ex-Senator Wheeler's Interstate Commerce Committee staff — has been doing good job. For Taylor's name crops up most frequently in dope stories about Denny successorship. He's 40, Harvard Law '32, ex-general counsel of FCC (and as such Denny's former chief), still on wartime "leave" to prosecute Nazi trials in Germany, with rank of brig. gen. He would be distinctly a non-political merit appointee, extremely capable though without Denny's personality sparkle. Politicos