Television digest with AM-FM reports (Jan-Dec 1951)

3 that theatre interests there now propose to do likewise — simply projecting TV shows taken off the relays onto local screens. And trade headlines now proclaim that "international" and "world-wide" TV hookups are in offing, making good copy out of Hollywood interviews with NBC's Pat Weaver. Best "international" TV prospect in near future is projected linking of Canada's Montreal-Toronto hookup (stations not yet built) into U.S. networks via Buffalo (Vol. 7:30). Nearest to "world-wide" service in foreseeable offing is shipping of kine-recordings of big TV shows to U.S. troops. Newly completed Omaha-San Francisco microwave setup comprises 55 relay stations, Chicago-Omaha 18, New York-Chicago 34 — 107 in all. No time commitments have been made to networks yet, though it's taken for granted they will divide by agreement as they do on other limited-circuit routes. Note : Coaxial-microwave intercity TV links spread spectacularly but slowly. won't get real impetus until TV freeze ends and new stations are actually built. For rest of year, AT&T plans only new Memphis-Birmingham-Atlanta coaxial via Jackson, Miss. Only others definitely in works; San Antonio-Austin microwave, due sometime in 1952; added Washing! on-Atlanta microwave circuits, also sometime in 1952; and an Oklahoma City-Amarlllo coaxial now under survey but no construction scheduled yet. All are designed basically for added phone service, for which Omaha-San Francisco setup is also to be used starting Aug. 17. NICE UFT REPORTED FROM POWER ROOSTS: The quick and easy benefits of FCC power-hike ruling (Vol. 7:30-31) have already been achieved by almost all stations eligible — 41 of the 46 requests having been granted in last 2 weeks. [For list of this week's grants, see p. 14; for last week's, see Vol. 7:31.] Sharp Improvements in service have come in number of markets, but picture enhancement has been moderate or merely nominal in many instances — though stations are naturally making most of every watt, promotion-wise. Real payoff comes in such places as Miami, where WTVJ had been operating with weakest signal of all metropolitan stations. Now, with station's ERP lifted from 2.2 to 16.5 kw, manager Lee Ruwitch tells us that signal is getting into West Palm Beach, 63 miles away, so well that dealers had 300-400 sets shipped in. sold 150 at once, expect 2000 sales before end of season. And one enterprising West Palm Beach dealer rushed to buy time on WTVJ to reach his potential customers — but sizeable antennas and boosters are still needed there, according to Ruwitch. Most marked improvement came in 30-mile radius, he reports. There, indoor antennas now work, whereas outdoor installations used to be mandatory. New York's WOR-TV telecast request for reactions to its 9-to-22 kw boost, drew rash of glowing reports from towns well into Pennsylvania, New Jersey, upper New York State, etc. — as well as from New York City's "canyons" where shadows and indoor antennas often degrade pictures. WOR-TV s desire to join others on Empire State Bldg, could conceivably cool now. Says engineering v.p. Jack Poppele: "Why, people are now getting good pictures with the ends of their antennas pointed at us." Two big jumps at once were taken by New York's WJZ-TV Aug. 9 when it hiked power 5% times to 20 kw and moved to permanent Empire State Bldg, antenna. Full report on improvement will come from survey, by outside organization, of 420 fringe-area homes, but engineering v.p. Frank Marx is all smiles, says spot observations indicate improvement is everything hoped for. "Next, 200 kw," said he. Other New York stations achieving increases haven't yet reported results. * * Any further gains will be long coming, since they involve purchase and installation of new equipment, rather than mere twist of transmitter dials. Actually, few operators can see good reason for buying gear to get the 50 kw ERP now permitted, when freeze-end seems certain to bring 100 and 200 kw authorizations. However, high-powered transmitters and amplifiers would be snatched up and put to work as soon as available — if FCC permitted. But it won't, since it feels: (1) It can't give iron-clad guarantee that end of freeze will make such equipment