U. S. Radio (Jan-Dec 1960)

Equipment RADIO RETAIL SALES (000 Omitted) Year Home Clock Portable Total 1922 100 100 1923 500 500 1924 1,500 1,500 1925 2,000 2,000 1926 1,750 1.750 1927 2,350 * 2,350 1928 3,281 3,281 1929 4,435 4,435 1930 3,793 3,793 1931 3,312 3,312 1932 2,477 2,477 1933 3,082 3,082 1934 3,304 3,304 1935 4,375 4,375 1936 6,746 6,746 1937 6,631 6,631 1938 5,823 5,823 1939 8,900 600 9,500 1940 8,900 1,100 10,000 1941 9,650 1,450 11,100 1942* 3,400 700 4,100 1943 589 130 719 1946 12,113 939 13,052 1947 14,972 2,388 17,360 1948 10,325 2,585 12,910 1949 5,127 1,799 6,926 1950** 7,818 1,593 9,411 1951 5,358 727 1,200 7,285 1952 4,394 1,666 1,528 7,588 1953 3,309 1,714 1,503 6,526 1954 2,701 1,897 1,499 6,047 1955 2,659 2,035 1,879 6,573 1956 3,007 2,223 2,683 7,913 1957 3,193 2,439 3,205 8,837 1958 2,669 2,205 3,115 7,989 1959 2,729 2,481 3,687 8,897 • Civilian production terminated April 1942. ** Radio-Phonograph Combinations are included in figures prior to 1950 only. Statistics supplied by the Electronic Industries Assoc. Broadcasting Equipment Expenditures* • Total equipment expenditures for replacement and new stations will average $17 million annually. • Expected outlay for replacement of transmitters over next five years should average $2,630 per station. • Station investment in technical equipment amounts to 43.8 percent of total assets. • This amounts to a per station investment of $39,659 for equipment at its current condition and value. *These statistics are drawn from a survey conducted by Industrial Marketing Studies for the Collins Radio Co. to the success of the fm broadcaster. Equipment offered today to the broadcaster is technically far superior to that available 10 years ago, and considerably less expensive. However, the major saving the new fm broadcaster will have will be in the utilization of automatic programming techniques that will reduce his operational expenses considerably." Taking a more conservative attitude, Collins Radio has said "Automation may play a big part in broadcasting. However, it is dependent upon the programming planned by the broadcaster. To date, no major trend towards automation of fm main channel programming has developed to the extent that multiplexing has developed." On the stereo question, most manufacturers appear to agree that it will be a factor in the sale of fm ecjuipmcnt. However, there is also general agreement that until the FCC establishes a standard stereo system, no major progress will be made. The FCC is ciurently studying the results of a series of field tests of six stereo systems conducted by the special EIA committee organized for this purpose (see U.S. FM, November, I960). It is ex])ected that a decision will be made l)y the FCC in the early part of 1%I. Typical of the attitude of many manufacturers was the one expressed by RCA Victor. A company spokesmen said "Stereo-multiplexing may play an important role in the future, but the lack of standards makes it almost impossible to make any predictions. When firm standards are established stereo may play a significant role." Broadcast Equipment Lines The following is a rundown of the equipment available from some of the manufacturers. Although not intended to be a complete listing, ii does help provide some indication of the scope and variety of radio broadcasting equipment that is or will soon be available. Gates Radio Company manufaclines a ((Hupleti line, including am iiansmillcis from 'J.5() watts lo 100, 102 U. S. RADIO • AIRFAX 1961