Document text
RG 74 -la
GIFT OF
Mr M Uarren
TO THE
cBf(OADCASr CPlOI\EEf(S cLib%ai?y
1771 N STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D. C. 20036
October 1976
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016
https://archive.org/details/televisiondigest3194code
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 180-
200 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 fac-
tor, 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 with-
out banking, so as to avoid fluctuations in Signal strength. On economic side,
there's question whether "sky stations" can be operated cheaply enough in compari-
son with conventional "land stations."
Next step in continuing experiments will be broadcasts with FM and TV trans-
mitters 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 will-
ingness 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
(c) dealers are becoming anti-FM because of promotion claims while sets are unob-
tainable. Each of these arguments has obvious answers (shall FM wait, for example,
on Petrillo's pleasure for high calibre programs?) — and FMA's Bill Bailey says FMA
isn't going to let up a whit in its campaign to "educate public to FM."
Indeed, even while RMA board was meeting, FMA called on set makers to "meet
the crying needs of the public by producing low-cost FM sets." President Roy Hof-
heinz pointed out that Zenith, Stromberg-Carlson, GE, RCA and Pilot have announced
low-cost AM-FM combinations. He' urged FM especially for markets in static-ridden
gulf storm areas. FMA hierarchy offers to cooperate with RMA, but obviously is chort-
ling over discomfiture of some recalcitrant big boys who discounted FM and now face
demands they cannot blink — one' of biggest .even cutting his $50 portables to $40
this week. Meanwhile, committees of FMA and RMA have been named to iron out dif-
ferences: For FMA — Arthur Freed, Freed Radio; Ray Manson, Stromberg-Carlson; Roy
Hofheinz, FMA president; Bill Bailey, FMA executive director. For RMA — Larry F.
Hardy, Philco ; Ben Abrams, Emerson; H. C. Bonfig, Zenith; E. A. Nicholas, Farns-
worth; Sam P. Taylor, Western Electric.
CATCHING UP WITH DICK TRACY: Maybe you' ve been tossing off miniature radio trans-
mitters and receivers as mere gadgets, but they've been engaging the attention of
Serious scientists, they have' considerable possibilities and they work. Fantastic
work on miniatures at Bureau of Standards under young Dr. Cledo Brunetti (Vol. 2,
No. 46), has already resulted in excellent communications from lipstick-size M-watt
transmitter with circuit printed directly on tube shell. And a receiver the size
of an ordinary calling card is in the works. Commercially, RCA is already reaching
for luxury trade with its gold-plated, battery operated "Solitaire" measuring 6%x
45;x4 lA inches and retailing around $75. Sentinel, too, has a new miniature out —
4x4x8 inches, 5 tubes, operating on AC, DC or battery.
Biggest future for miniatures is seen in Citizens Radio Communication Serv-
ice (individual communications). Bureau of Standards' transmitter, demonstrated at
Columbus (0.) IRE meeting last week, used 140 me, but Dr. Brunetti sees no diffi-
culty in going to 460-470 me assigned Citizens Service. (He'll demonstrate latest
equipment March 5 at New York IRE, meeting. First experimental CP for Citizens
Service, incidentally, was granted last week to Engineer John M. Mulligan, Elmira,
N.Y., who plans to use 50 watts, study propagation, etc.
‘TV HOLDERS MAKE HASTE SLOWLY: Pending its decision on color TV, FCC is inclined
to be lenient toward low-band CP holders not yet on the air (Supplement No. 18-B).
This week, 5 more' got extensions of completion dates — asked for because of lag-
ging equipment deliveries or construction delays. Commission also has indicated
it is amenable to "suggestions" regarding the 28-hour rule, suspended until March
31, and TBA will get sympathetic ear when it decides just what it wants Commission
to do about minimum programming hours.
Latest to get construction extensions, until midyear or fall, are Washing-
ton Star, Baltimore Sun, Raytheon-Waltham, Mass., KSTP-St. Paul, Outlet Co. -Provi-
dence. Pending also is request from Buffalo News, among others (Vol. 3, No. 4).
Extensions were previously granted San Francisco Chronicle, Bamberger-Washington,
DuMont -Washingt on .
This week, San Francisco Chronicle was granted Channel No. 4 (66-72 me) in
lieu of No. 11 originally assigned, but it may have to install directional antenna
to cut radiation toward Sacramento. Also asking for lower channel-, but not yet
acted on, is WMBG, Richmond, seeking No. 6 (82-88 me) instead of now assigned
No. 3 (60-66 me). And Earle C. Anthony's petition for NBC's Channel No. 4 in Los
Angeles, in lieu of No. 9 (186-192 me) now assigned, remains to be decided by FCC.
New York area TV cases, involving 5 seeking 4 channels, ought to be decided
in few weeks — at least, that's what they say at FCC. ,Cases were heard last July,
got tangled up in probe of N.Y. Daily News' editorial policies, have been delayed
by pressure of other business. Rival applicants are Bremer, Newark; ABC, (Bamberger,
Debs Memorial, Daily News. As for remaining applications elsewhere, FCC is working
on engineering aspects of Fort Industry's for Detroit, Southern Radio & Television's
for Miami, Daily News for Philadelphia. It's our guess last-named won't be pushed.
With St. Louis Post-Dispatch's KSD-TV on air with temporary equipment, De-
troit News' WWDT about to start (Yol. 3, No. 7), Scripps-Howard Radio's WEWS,
Cleveland, * announced this week it has leased two top floors (35,000 ft.) of old
Women's City Club on East 13th St., has let studio contract to Austin Co., hopes
to be first to get TV going in that city.
KOBE m CHANNEL SHIFTS; FM channel-shuffling, which goes on constantly, can become
an awful headache unless you keep track of changes as they're' ordered. Presuming
you made the several dozen changes we reported a few weeks ago in Supplement No.
43-A, we suggest you enter this week's changes (as listed in Supplement No. 47-F
herewith) in your Allocation List (Supplement No. 43). Later we'll recapitulate,
and reissue the allocation tables in revised up-to-date form.
Next act on FM regulatory stage comes Monday — oral arguments on multiple
ownership and overlap. The dozen or more participants can naturally be expected to
justify their overlapping coverage. While FCC is considering FM overlap, WADC,
Akron, will charge it with inconsistency in permitting AM overlap between commonly-
owned WGAR, Cleveland, and WJR, Detroit, in proposing to give WGAR 50 kw (Vol. 2,
No. 47).
Commission announced 12 CPs, 10 conditionals this .week, bringing CP count
to 503, conditionals to 178 (Supplement No. 47-F). Note also new STAs taking air
each week, and slow but steady influx of new FM applicants.
CO ME3ACX GF THE KITS; Reminiscent of radio's early days, "make it yourself" ads are
proclaiming advent of the TV kit. Latest is a §159 affair, with tube capable' of
framing 5%x4% inch image, advertised the other day in New York Times by Transvision
Inc., 383 North Ave. , New Rochelle, N.Y., subsidiary of Lectrovision Ijac., makers
of cathode ray tubes. Gimbels offered same kit recently. In recent issue of Radio
News, New York Technical Institute of (N.J. offered students chance to build own
sets. Prewar, Meissner Mfg. Co., Chicago, put out TV kit.
Engineers are inclined to smile dubiously at ad claims (simplicity of con-
struction), calling attention to such things as delicacy of alignment. But kits
may .become increasingly popular as TV captures public fancy, especially while sets
continue scarce and expensive. We know only a few radiomen — some FCC and Naval
Research Lab technicians, and Electronic Magazine's Don Fink — who have built
their own TV sets.
THE PUNDITS LOCK AT RADIO: Curiously enough, there's less carping criticism of
journalism's favorite whipping boy, commercial radio, in the conservative N. Y.
Herald Tribune than in radio-owning N. Y. Times (WQXR-WQXQ). Latter'S radio editor.
Jack Gould, is constantly hammering away at radio's ills, has transformed even his
Sunday page (which under ex-editor Orrin Dunlap was radio industry's Bible on basic
trends and developments) into hyper-critical columning. Gould's forays into
"Social consciousness" also include outside writing; in recent issue of Public Opin-
ion Quarterly he' takes TV to task, saying:
"Television represents right now more of a menace to American culture than
it does a conceivable- boon. ...[it] is not a new industry but rather an extension
of the old one — radio." He repeats contention "radio's chain of command" goes
back to ad agencies, decries product sponsorship being worked into TV productions,
declares: "Television will only compound the innocuity of radio today." Without
recognizing that TV, scarcely an industry as yet, is all outgo, little or no
income, he charges it with "no serious discussion on standards of taste, no con-
sideration of how much advertising copy can be tolerated, no appreciation of the
fact television provides the propitious moment for the radio man to 'save face'."
As for radio industry itself, its concern with "cleansing own house" was
indicated in frank speech of CBS Chairman Paley at recent NAB convention (Vol. 2,
No. 43), which Pundit Gould in Dec. 29 Times conceded "met the issue of program
improvement with reasonable forthrightness." On the other hand, status quo forces
don't take too kindly to criticism — not even wh?n it is good-humored satire,
vis., editorial note in recent issue of Broadcasting: "If Fred Allen, during the
frayed-cuff days when he was working vaudeville, had poked as much fun at the
medium which provided his cakes-and-cof f ee , as he does today at radio, a long hook
would have Slithered out from the wings and dragged him to the exit." (Fred Allen's
several burlesques of radio commercials have had industry, no less than public, in
stitches.) The serious-minded editors of Broadcasting, so far as we know, haven't
yet essayed any comment on Henry Morgan's satiric shafts.
— S3GHT AND SOUND .
Rules for non-commercial educational FJI broadcast-
ing (Vol. 2, No. 11) were made final this week, incorpo-
rating- some changes suggested since rules were first pro-
posed last March. Several sections — dealing with accredi-
tation, mechanical recordings, engineering — have been
revised slightly. Commission will entertain comments and
suggestions concerning these sections and if necessary
will set date for oral argument. But books will be closed
March S. Order (Docket No. 7424) bears Mimeo No. 2921
and we will get a copy for you if requested. For list of
non-commercial stations, see Part V, Supplement No. 47.
Some FMers performed prodigies in getting on air
with jerry-built, low-power equipment for interim opera-
tion— but it’s been virtually impossible for stations of any
size to comply with full specifications of their CPs within
allotted 8 months. Hence, now that older CP-holders’ time
is running out, they are applying for, and getting, exten-
sions of completion dates. This week, extensions were given
to first batch — WCFC and WJLS-FM, Beckley, W. Va.;
VDNE, Birmingham; WBML-FM, Macon, plus pioneer li-
censees WGNB, Chicago, and WGFM, Schenectady.
Dr. Fritz Schroeter’s papers on TV, available (in
German)' from Dept, of Commerce’s Office of Technical
Services, contain nothing particularly new or startling, in
opinion of TV engineers who have seen them — but they
may be worth while to some technicians. Ex-Telefunken
TV director suggests, among other things, a “neighbor-
hood” relay station to pick up video signals, convert them
to lower frequencies, feed them via cable to home sets —
thus making possible, he thinks, simpler and cheaper
receivers. Other topics are phase modulation, new scan-
ning method, channeling by time division on wide-band
carrier.
“Closed circuit” TV demonstrators, using newly deliv-
ered orthicons, etc., for promotional buildups against day
they operate full-fledged stations for which they hold
CPs (Supplement No. 18-B), are becoming more and more
numerous. Latest reporting “telecasts” of local events
are WEAL, Baltimore, Home Show; KSTP, St. Paul, Win-
ter Carnival ; WTMJ, Milwaukee, Home Show; WBEN,
Buffalo, Sports & Boat Show. RCA’s Joseph A. Jenkins,
production chief, helps stage events for mobile TV units.
FCC Bar Assn’s newly elected officers, named Tues-
day: Reed T. Rollo, president; Carl I. Wheat, 1st v.p.;
Guilford Jamieson, 2nd v.p.; John H. Midlen, secy.; Rus-
sell Rowell, treas.; Arthur W. Scharfeld and Neville Miller,
new members of executive committee — which also includes
Ben S. Fisher, Philip J. Hennessey Jr., R. A. Van Orsdal,
Eliot C. Lovett.
FM is a new opportunity for the “ordinary man to
communicate cheaply and efficiently with vast masses of
people.” That’s what Neiv Republic's Thomas Whiteside
says Feb. 17 in article titled “Your Radio Is Obsolete.”
Aside from usual “liberal” approach to the subject — radio
today is ir\ grip of monopoly, FM applicants are mostly
(80(4) standard broadcasters or newspaper publishers —
Whiteside treats subject objectively, tells story of Penn-
Allen vets (WFMZ, Allentown, Pa.) as example of what
can be done by young, inspired small businessmen.
Now celebrated W'BAL-Pearson & Allen case is “off
again,” won’t start this Tuesday as scheduled. U. S. Dis-
trict Court Judge T. Alan Goldsborough (of John L. Lewis
case fame) issued temporary restraining order Thursday,
based on Hearst petition for court order expunging refer-
ences to Baltimore station from Blue Book. FCC attor-
neys think they have plenty of precedents to persuade
court to throw out petition, but up to week’s end hadn’t
decided course to pursue.
Los Angeles radio dealers will be briefed Feb. 26 and
27, in meetings in Ambassador Hotel, on intricacies and
sales aspects of TV sets by RCA crew that did same
thing recently in St. Louis, Detroit, Washington. Some-
time in March, city will have its “T-Day,” for which RCA
will ship several carloads of table model receivers. RCA
Camden crew going to L.A. is headed by J. B. Elliott, v.p.
in charge of Home Instrument Dept.
Silence on wire recorder plans still prevails at Sears
Roebuck Chicago office, despite fact Sears’ radio salesmen
expect it and rumor has St. George Recording Co., Brook-
lyn, scheduling May delivery of units to go into Sears’
FM-AM-phonogaph console. Not so shy is Webster-Chi-
cago, which expects volume production of $150 wire re-
corder in July.
First ST A denial in FM was this week’s turndown of
Peoria Broadcasting Co. (WMBD). Since only proposed
decision is out in Peoria hearing, FCC evidently felt grant
of STA, w'hich allows commercial operation, would be
jumping the gun.
C. M. Runyon Jr., noted radio amateur who worked
with Maj. Armstrong on first FM experiments, has been
named president of REL, replacing Charles Srebroff;
Frank Gunther, v.p., adds duties of treasurer.
Chicago’s TV sets now exceed 1,000, so Balaban &
Katz’s WBKB went into second rate bracket this week;
while sets number 1,000-5,000, basic rate for time and
facilities is $200 per hour. Surveys show average of 11.4
viewers per set, home viewer average being 4.5.
OUB AM B1B2CT0BY SERVICE: To meet an insistent demand, intensified since the FCC
quit publishing station lists, we now have a staff at work preparing an AM Directory
Service much along the lines of our FM Directory Service, This service will be
made available to our subscribers only. It will start immediately after the pres-
ent AM "freeze" ends May 1.
All of our subscribers, the first week in May, will be sent a printed,
loose-leaf AM Directory consisting of five parts: 1) List of all licensed or author-
ized U.S., Canadian, Mexican and Cuban stations by States or Provinces, with name of
company, street address, frequency, power, network affiliation; 2) Same list by fre-
quencies; 3) List of U.S.. stations by call letters; 4) List of applications for new
stations and new facilities by States, with addresses, FCC file numbers, present
facilities, requested facilities; 5) Same list by frequencies.
After each week's FCC decisions, we will publish and mail to our subscrib-
ers loose-leaf addenda sheets, to be filed with the printed Directory, so that you
can know the exact status of AM in any given place or on any given frequency at any
time (same as we do now for FM) . The Directory itself will be brought up-to-date
and reprinted periodically.
FX STANDARDS IB THE WORKS: Long-confused picture of facsimile should begin to
clear soon, now that RMA committee (W. G. H. Finch, chairman) has agreed ,on commer-
cial standards. RTPB's Panel No. 7 (John V. L. Hogan, chairman) is expected to
Send proposed standards to FCC-Industry committee (C. M. Braum, FCC, chairman)
Y/ithin a month; it will then Submit them in final form to FCC' for adoption.
Meanwhile, latest to announce intention of going on air with FX "in a few
months" is Jack Knight's Miami-Herald, via WQAM-FM, one of 25 subscribers to
Hogan's Broadcasters Faximile Analysis. Publisher Knight is quoted in last week's
Editor & Publisher as saying facsimile forecasts "the most radical change’ in news-
paper publishing methods since the invention of typesetting machines." He's pub-
lisher also of Chicago Daily News, Detroit Free Press, Akron Beacon- Journal, besides
being president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
As in FM, receivers are still biggest stumbling block to mass use of FX.
Finch, GE and Press Wireless are only names mentioned with any prominence in current
manufacturing. All sets, so far, are custom-built — GE making those for Miami
tests. Manufacturers say set costs, in mass production, should parallel figures
for radio-phonographs.
YOUR 0 m FM AND TV CENSUS: RMA's monthly radio production reports enable us to
maintain, v/ith reasonable exactitude, a running census of FM and TV sets. Thus
1947 's first figures, covering January, when added to previous counts, tell us just
about how many sets are in public's hands. Totals don't bulk very large yet, but
they show satisfying gains, which trade reports indicate will be bettered when
February figures are out.
January FM set production was 51,318, highest yet (previous record: Decem-
ber, 40,903). But it Still wasn't much against the month's total radio Set produc-
Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau
tion — 1,564,171, also a record. Console AM-FM-phonograph models numbered 45,075,
console AM-FM 1,239, table model AM-FM 5,004. Add these to 1946's total FM set
pi’oduction of 181,485 (Vol. 3, No. 4) and to the- 395,000 pre-war FMs (Vol. 3,
No. 1) — and you can pretty well gauge "FM set population" for the country.
January TV production was 5,457 (compared to .3,561 in December). January
TVs included 4,790 table models, 548 direct-view consoles, 99 projection consoles
(32 of these with phonographs). January total yStill isn't very large, quantita-
tively, but it compares very well with over-all 1946 production of 6,476 (Vol. 3,
No. 4) and pre-war total ,of perhaps 10,000. It's apparent that all-out production
isn't under way yet. iWe've already reported on more than score of brand-name set
makers who say they'll have TV sets out this year (Vol. 3, No. 7). This week, Scott
announced TV plug-in unit to its plush all-wave set, costing over $1,000. Made for
Scott by DuMont, it has 12-inch tube, will sell for around $850, deliveries in June.
THE NEW 'PHILADELPHIA STORY': There may be more than meets the eye in latest turn
taken by heretofore moribund TV application of tabloid Phidadelphia News, city's
not-So-well-known third newspaper. Its plans, for TV get a fiscal shot in the arm
with change in corporate- setup that ties it up with Seaboard Radio's 10 kw WIBG and
WIBG-FM (CP). Newly filed application is only one- on tap for Quaker City's fourth
and last channel (Supplement 18-B) . DuMont is handling engineering and Supplying
equipment. So it's reasonably sure to be granted unless unexpected opposition
arises. Plan now is )to install $231,000 plant on property owned by Seaboard at
Lime- Kiln Turnpike and Cheltenham Ave., 2 miles due north of Philadelphia, with
studios at WIT3G and in Wanamaker Store.
Instead of Daily News alone, new applicant is Daily News Television Co .
Inc. , capitalized at $500,000, and owned 81% by Seaboard (John Harron and John
Kelly, local contractors) ; 10% by Daily News Inc. ; 4.6% by Lemuel Schofield, attor-
ney; 4.4% by Jack E. Lit, realtor (not connected with dept, store of that name).
Newspaper’s ownership interest in TV station thus will actually be pretty small,
also quite diffused (whereas Bulletin and Inquirer each will control own TV outlet).
Daily News Inc. is dominantly owned by Philadelphia Publications Inc., which holds
83,000 out of 163,000 shares of its stock, with Mr. Schofield owning 6,900 Shares,
Editor Lee Ellmaker 6,000, the Vare Estate most of remainder. In turn, Philadelphia
Publications Inc. has these stockholders: Mr. Ellmaker, 45%; Mr. Schofield, 33.1%;
Louis Leventhal, attorney, 11%; Perkins, Goodwin & Co., New York (pulp and paper), 10%.
There's unconfirmed suspicion influx of new capital into News' TV may pres-
age plans to build up ,newsPaPer itself, alongside radio, taking advantage of Phila-
delphia's recent newspaper-radio shakeup (Vol. 3, No. 5, 6). So far, Bulletin has
announced no buyer for strike-bound, then suspended, Record (and sale is unlikely
due to newsprint situation) ; nor for Camden Courier and Post (which may be leased) ;
nor for WPEN, which it must sell before it can acquire 50 kw VVCAU. Meanwhile, News-
paper Guild dropped strike threat demands against Inquirer, itself began publishing
new Camden Free Press as 6-day afternoon paper in plant of Wilmington Star.
BIG ADVERTISERS ON TV TIME: TV entrepreneurs, with approval of the Federal authori-
ties, are proceeding on assumption advertisers v/ill foot the bill. So are quite
a few name advertisers who are using or have used TV (Standard Oil of N.J., Stand-
ard Brands, U.S. Rubber, Gillette, Borden, et al). In fact,, this week Ford and
General Foods announced joint sponsorship, on an alternating basis, with both film
and live commercials planned, of telecasts of all 77 home games of Brooklyn Dodgers
over V/CBS-TV. Sponsors are also expected for Yankee home games, which NBC's WNBT
has signed up, and Giant games signed by DuMont's WABD. '
Significant were remarks of principals as they signed CBS contracts — J.
Walter Thompson handling for Ford, trio of agencies (Young & Rubicam, Benton &
Bowles, Foote, Cone & Belding) for various General Foods products. Said Ford~'s
advertising and sales v.p., John Davis: "In our opinion, television has demonstrated
itself as a practical advertising medium. ... for the presentation of automobile
models, where- the visual element is so highly important." Said General Foods* How-
ard Chapin: "Television has reached the stage -of development where -General Foods has
decided on participation. ... is looking toward the- pre-emption of time franchises."
No one has yet put forward any tangible plan other than advertising for
TV’s supporting revenues, except for occasional "paid subscriber" ideas v/hich FCC,
as dispenser of wavelengths, frowns upon. Nevertheless, debate still rages, and
Some prophets are- still dubious. In Feb. 21 Printer' Ink, for example, juxtaposed
No-Yes arguments of Zenith's Gene McDonald and ABC’s Paul Mowrey make- interesting
reading. McDonald again insists high cost means "advertising will never support
large-scale television." Mowrey rebuts by citing advertisers, relating "pulling
power" of animated sight and sound, showing costs aren't too great to faze Sponsors.
To the lists we've published of TV sponsors on New York's 3 stations (Vol.
3, No. 6; Vol. 2, No. 40), we can now add those currently on Chicago's sole video
outlet. Paramount's WBKB: Henry C. Lytton Co., General Mills, The- Fair Store,
Commonwealth Edison, Elgin Watch Co. And if you want a list of old-time sponsors
on the pioneer TV stations, we .still have a few of our Supplement No. 1 (Sept. 1,
1945) listing them, v/hich we'll send you on request.
It’s these lists of former and current TV sponsors which NAB, turning atten-
tion to commercial TV for first time, intends to collate as part of survey its sales
managers TV subcommittee has requested. And National Retail Dry Goods Assn. , 100
W. 31st St., New York City (Howard Abrahams, sales promotion manager) has agreed
to undertake a survey of retailers in cities now having TV stations, or slated to
have them, asking whether they propose using video advertising and what help they
want from NAB. TV committee of NAB is headed by (Gene Thomas, ; WOR, and includes Sam
Cuff, DuMont; G. Emerson Markham, GE ; James McConnell, NBC; Arthur Hull Hayes, CBS.
THE FCC OH CAPITOL HILL: Trade press hoopla about Congressional investigation of FCC.
crackdowns, etc. seem to be just that, if not wishful thinking. Talk-it-over ses-
sion Tuesday between House Interstate & Foreign Commerce Committee- and FCC (all com-
missioners and pranking officials) left latter pleased as punch. Sparked by persua-
sive personality of Chairman Denny and cooperative attitude of Rep. Wolverton (com-
mittee chairman), there was Spirit of frankness and open-mindedness; if there's
going to be crackdown, it will come by v/ay of budget cuts, which all government
agencies are due to suffer in current economy drive.
Blue Book inevitably came up. Chairman Denny replied "no comment" when
asked whether he had really said, as reported, that some NAB officials had told him
they agreed with it ; that some had even said they thought NAB itself should have
issued it. It's no secret that certain broadcasters, high in NAB ranks, have indi-
cated such an attitude. Whether they were merely "apple polishing," as one observer
put it, is another story. Fact is that bitter words and demands for reform legis-
lation (as yat undrafted by .industry) have cooler minds fearful lest Congress, with
many of its important members harboring outspoken gripes, especially against com-
mercials (Vol. 2, Nos. 45, 51), enact even worse restrictions than >now prevail.
OVERLAP SOLUTIONS PH0P0SE2: A thaw should begin soon among the 30-plus FM applica-
tions (and Crosley-Dayton TV), frozen up to now because FCC hadn't made up mind
what to do about multiple ownership. It's apparent most commissioners were im-
pressed by' Attorney Theodore Pierson's (Yankee Network) contention, at oral argu-
ment Monday, that applications be considered individually, rather than against an
arbitrary blanket rule. Policy so far has been to grant no applications involving
any degree ef common ownership when there is overlap of 1000 uv/m (FM) or 500 uv/m
(TV) contours.
Pierson agreed commonly owned stations should not be permitted if "substan-
tial competition" would exist under diverse ownership. But he suggested these fac-
tors be weighed: area and population duplicated, AM listenership, studio locations,
retail trade areas, cultural and political affinities of duplicated population.
Commission didn't latch onto Attorney Paul Segal's (WADC, Akron) unusual
suggestion — no grants where common ownership is over 30%, duplicated daytime pop-
ulation over 20%. Clearest indication of CommTssTot^^pn^resopn^on
ship should be apparent in whatever action it takes on 6 Steinman applications
(Pa., Dela. ) . Common ownership and 1000 uv/m overlaps are substantial. Channels
are still plentiful, so overlap issue can't be skirted by granting competitors
deemed more qualified. Steinman counsel, George Sutton, said stations plan no joint
rates and cited ever-changing, opinion as to what constitutes "satisfactory service"
(engineering-wise ) and need for flexibility as economic and related factors change.
Now that Commission has at last heard industry spokesmen, it presumably can
quit fobbing off long-pending overlap cases — either granting or setting them for
hearing. It should also be able to give- "yes" or "no" soon to applicants, with no
overlap of their own, who are still stranded presumably because' they're involved in
comparative hearings with others Stymied by overlap. Some have been waiting for
periods now approaching a whole- year.
SIGHT AMD SOUND
FM applications without program plans will be sum-
marily rejected henceforth by FCC. Applications now
pending, which lack program analyses, will be dismissed
(Vol. 3, No. 7). That’s essence of FCC edict Friday. So
it looks like Commission has no intention of “bleaching”
Blue Book, for this came right on heels of NAB President
Miller’s recommendation to broadcasters, published in
this week’s NAB Reports, urging them to accompany pro-
gram file with written objection to FCC’s jurisdiction.
Much-debated 30 kc AM separation in same area is
now out where you can hear it and judge whether it war-
rants new standards (Vol. 3, No. 6). With WTEL-WHAT
and WCAM testing 1310-1340 kc separation in Philadel-
phia-Camden area, WBCC and WWDC testing 1420-1450
kc in Washington area, everyone is invited by FCC in Feb.
27 statement (Public Notice 5032) to listen and comment.
Problem, of course, lies largely in receivers: a good one
won’t be bothered, but cheap one may be.
Dropping its Rochester FM conditional this week,
Amalgamated [Clothing Workers] Bcstg. System now
has withdrawn all but 2 (New York, Chicago) of its orig-
inal 6. Union mortality is also emphasized by fact UAW-
CIO has dropped 2 (Los Angeles, Newark) of its 6. Unity
Bcstg. Corp. (ILGWU) is still going strong on all 6, of
which 3 have been granted.
FMA won’t lay off FM promotion, despite manufac-
turers’ pleas (Vol. 3, No. 8). Latest activity has Executive
Director Bill Bailey scheduled to go out “among ’em”
Sunday, asking rhetorical question, “Why Promote FM?”
at U of Oklahoma Conference on Radio in Oklahoma City.
Focus of speech, at FM session chairmanned by KOZY’s
(Kansas City) O. R. Wright, is exhortation for promotion
to force reluctant manufacturers’ hands. FMA, at first
liaison meeting with FCC this week, also said it welcomed,
rather than opposed, educational FM broadcasters (Vol. 3,
No. 6). In fact, FMA intimated promotional activities of
educators could do FM a lot of good.
Not to be outdone by WSM-FM, which was granted
515 kw (Vol. 3, No. 4), comes now KSTP-FM with request
for modification to 546 kw, which would make it highest-
powered grantee extant. Once highest with mere 320 kw,
KSTP-FM proposes to extend 50 uv/m contour to 85-90
miles by using 50 kw transmitter, 8-section Pylon an-
tenna (gain of 12) at height about 600 ft. Request was
one of many this week asking increased power, extension
of completion dates, or both.
Battle over control of KSTP, St. Paul, goes before en
banc FCC hearing March 13. Rival group is contesting
Hubbard- Avco deal (Vol. 2, No. 39).
Prolific letter writers, these NAB executives — and
good ones, too. In Feb. 22 Saturday Review of Literature,
Jess Willard, executive v.p., takes A. N. Williams’ Jan. 18
article apart, proving American radio isn’t controlled by
“a few advertisers” who figuratively are conspiring against
“public interest” (a fiction Willard says being circulated
notably by FCC Comr. Durr). And widely published in
trade press was Feb. 17 letter of Kenneth Baker, NAB
research chief, which satirizes Polltaker Dr. Gallup for
Jan. 25 story in Editor & Publisher quoting him as saying,
“There is nothing in radio to compare with the ABC state-
ment.” Then there was NAB Attorney Bryce Rea’s recent
letter to Washington Post (Vol. 2, No. 51) objecting to
its editorial on Blue Book. Comment from sidelines is that
letters out of NAB are often better-reasoned-out than some
of speeches.
Stratovision’s “Chili” Nobles just can’t keep out of
the air. Since there’s no TV station as yet in Baltimore,
where he’s a Westinghouse researcher, he’s going to reach
for programs from WTTG, Washington. He plans to in-
flate 6-ft war surplus radiosonde balloon with helium, at-
tach 127-ft lead-in wires, attempt to pull in WTTG’s sig-
nals. Problem of keeping antenna oriented will be par-
tially solved by attaching tail fin, trimming it to wind.
“Regardless how it works,” he says, “it’ll be fun.”
DuMont’s WABD couldn’t resume Feb. 24, as scheduled
(Vol. 3, No. 2) so it is staying off air another 30 days. It
wasn’t able to complete new antenna hookup at Madison
Ave. building in time. Philadelphia Inquirer this week
got TV extension until September. Similar extension is
sought by ABC, Chicago, and until November by Johns-
town (Pa.) Tribune.
Philco’s “secret” TV (Vol. 3, No. 7) will be featured
in Life Magazine picture story on TV, due soon. Secrecy
buildup before set is on market was accentuated this week
when model was taken to New York under guard, photo-
graphed, then put in bank vault. Everyone carried the
story, of course.
TV survey for Viewtone, released by its advertising
agency, Schacter, Fain & Lent, 18 E. 41st St., New York,
shows 90% of those interviewed (338 persons at 22 points
of demonstration) plan to buy TV sets, but 71% not for a
year at least. City College students did job; they also
adduced $150-$250 set would be most popular, 12-inch or
larger sci'een most desirable.
Havens & Martin’s WTVR, Richmond, this week got
frequency shift from TV Channel No. 3 to Channel No. 6
(82-88 me), was given extension of completion date to
October; make this change in your Supplement No. 18-B.
EiARTIil 03DEL’
AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE
Of THE
VISUAL CROADCASTINS AND
FREQUENCY MODULATION
ARTS AND INDUSTRY
F83USHZS WEEKLY BY
.1519 CG^ECTiCUT flVE. N.W., WASillNSTDH 8, B.S. TELEPHONE M3CH1SAH 2020 • VOL 3, NO. 10
March 8, 1947
DECISIONS NEXT V/ZEK, MAYBE: For whatever it's worth, latest assurances from RCC are
that its apparently dormant New York TV hearing case and most if not all of its FM
hearing cases, some pending nearly a year, are due for decision before end of this
month. In the works are final drafts of decisions on New York TV (5 seeking 4 chan-
nels; see Supplement • No . 18-B) and FM decisions on New York:, Cleveland-Akron, Indian-
apolis, Chicago, Providence, Bridgeport. These may be announced week of March 10.
By month's end, also, it is hoped to have Boston, Philadelphia, Dayton-Springf ield
cases decided. Plan is to be current on completed applications by May 1. Phila-
delphia FM case presents a poser since sale of WDAS to Theatreman William Goldman
(Vol. 3, No. 5) ; new owner must await Avco procedure delays, was not party to hear-
ing, So question is whether all applications should be held up pending transfer.
WEBSTER A MERIT APPOINTMENT: There probably won't be a dissenting vote when
Commodore Edward M. Webster comes up for Senate confirmation — not even from
Maine's powerful Senator White, who plumped so hard for his own candidate for the
FCC vacancy. Miss Marion E. Martin (Vol. 3, No. 2). For Commodore Webster's ap-
pointment Friday was strictly on merit. He is perhaps the nation's outstanding
authority on aviation, mobile, maritime, emergency and Safety communications — a
veteran of 16 international conferences. And he- not only helped Senator White frame
the Communications Act of 1934, but served as technical advisor to the U.S. delega-
tion headed by the Senator at the International Radio Conference in Cairo in 1938.
Naming' of the self-effacing ex-Coast Guardsman gives 7-man Commission a pre-
ponderance of career men, should assure minimum of politics on a body less under
political Sway now than ever in its stormy existence. It's gratifying not only to
industry, but particularly to Chairman Denny and Comr. Hyde, both up from FCC's
legal ranks, and Comr. Jett, himself ex-Navy, who as former FCC chief engineer had
"Web" as one of his assistants. Indeed, Denny only recently had asked Webster to
serve at the next International Telecommunications Conference Starting in Atlantic
City May 15, and is understood to have urged President Truman to make the appointment.
The 58-year-old retired wartime chief of Coast Guard Communications ( 1942-
46) takes the job at considerable sacrifice, for only last August he was named to
lucrative directorship of telecommunications for National Federation of American
Shipping. A native Washingtonian, he was graduated from Coast Guard Academy in
1912, served until 1934, rising to chief communications officer, retiring for dis-
ability in 1934, then serving with FCC 1934-42 as assistant chief engineer. He was
a Lt. Comdr. on retirement, recalled for war duty as captain, won Legion of Merit.
PARLEY C? THE MAGIC MAKERS: These are the dominant impressions a lay reporter, con-
cerned primarily with broadcasting in all its aspects, carries away from this week's
huge and cumbersome IRE convention in New York — more than 10,000 professional and
amateur engineers registered out of a total IRE membership of some 20,000:
That the day of the attic inventor is gone ; that electronics engineering is
now definitely part and parcel of big business; that, judging from the exhibits and
preponderant papers, broadcasting is becoming relatively small potatoes in the whole
Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau
electronics picture — TV, FM, FX to the contrary notwithstanding. Industrial ap-
plications seem to occupy most radio engineers now.
FCC Chairman Denny, in his banquet speech Wednesday night (telecast over
eastern coax-linked stations), pointed up these facts when he related how indus-
trialists are now clamoring for spectrum space for radio heating devices. He smil-
ingly accused radiomen of "sorcery" in perfecting their fantastic devices, mention-
ing as some examples: cooking food by radio, sewing raincoats and shower curtains,
gluing canoes and pianos, printing newspapers and flashing telegrams by facsimile,
steering ships and planes, locating oil and minerals, dispatching trains, busses,
taxis. His disquisition on "technological black magic," incidentally, is well worth
reading; it added greatly to his stature among the radio fraternity.
V7e got the impression, too, that in TV and FM (except for the color-mono-
chrome argument), things seem to have boiled down to a matter of refinements. Keen
interest in these refinements was apparent in heavily attended TV and FM sessions.
Showed up in close questioning of Speakers on such matters as new TV receiver opti-
cal systems, the "flying-spot scanner" for improved picture detail, better control
of film on TV by use of pulsed light source, methods of achieving high gain in FM
transmitting antennas.
Though home receivers weren’t exhibited, people with indirect interest in TV
(Studio lighting and test equipment, for example) complained to this writer of
miniscule Set production. One said he's unable to reconcile' "procrastination" of
manufacturers with their promotion, since their TV promotion tends to hurt non-TV
sales. Another remarked he believes public is becoming more and more wary of buying
expensive Sets of any kind since so many new things are in the offing — TV, FM, FX,
wire and tape recorders, etc. Confusion, he added, has effect of making public
content with little table AMs.
Other convention observations: Strongly divided opinions as to direction
facsimile will take — some feeling that its immediate and foreseeable future lies
in non-broadcasting applications, that' newspapers by FX are' long way off; others
seeing FX as supplementing broadcasting with program notes, grocery lists, score
cards, etc. Notable were numerous recording equipment exhibits — disc, wire, tape.
Industry is awaiting sales figures to settle argument over public acceptance. Some
see rewinding too much trouble, but wire and tape people claim plenty of orders.
WHAT MAKES PETRILLO TICK: You get a pretty good idea of what makes , James Caesar
Petrillo tick ,in March 8 Collier's: "Santa Claus with a Horn" by George Frasier.
It's worth reading not only for a good sizeup of AFM's §46,000-a-year-plus-supper-money
czar ("I don't want a t ' ing fa myself. It's all fa the boys") but also for his-
torical background on the musicians union and its various escapades. Only this
week Petrillo pleaded pending Supreme Court decision on Lea Bill in declining House
Labor Committee's invitation to testify in answer to charges of dictatorship. Chair-
man Hartley said excuse was good one, would issue no subpoena, but promised new
labor bill (including antidotes to featherbedding and made-work union practices)
out of committee before April 1. Having accepted jurisdiction in Petrillo case
(Vol. 2, No 49) , Supreme Court will probably hear AFM and Government arguments week
of April 29, which means decision probably before end of June.
AEMSTBQHG'S FM LICENSEES: Some ,big names like Crosley, Emerson, Philco and RCA are
conspicuously absent, but Maj Armstrong's latest list of his FM patent licensees,
now numbering 28, reads like Radio Social Register. Authorized to make receivers
under his system, paying royalty rate of approximately 1% of manufacturers' selling
price, are: Airadio, AnSley, Browning, Canadian Marconi, Cover Dual , Signal Systems,
Doolittle Radio, Electric & Musical Industries Ltd. (London), Espey, Fada, Finch,
Freed, Garod, General Electric, Hallicraf ters , Howard, Link, Magnavox, Maguire,
Minerva, Pilot, Scott, Radio Engineering Laboratories, Stewart-Warner, Stromberg-
Carlson, Templetone, Western Electric, Westinghouse , Zenith. FM transmitter royal-
ties are based on power, range from §150 for 250 watts to §2,000 for 50 kw, are
paid by stations.
TV HEEDS CHEAPER RECEIVERS: FCC'S keen young IV engineering chief, Curtis Plummer,
wasn't merely being facetious when he remarked, "What this country needs is a good
S100 television receiver." His paraphrase hit the nail on the head: today's market
Eiay readily absorb today's relatively small production (Vol. 3, No. 9), but mass
audience must await mass production ^nd lower set prices. It's in recognition of
this fact that RCA this v/eek opened up campaign in New York to sell its lowest-
priced model, the 621-TS, costing $250 plus installation and one-year servicing
charge of §45. Hitherto this model, with 7" Screen, took back seat to the 630-IS,
with 10" tube, which first cost §350, now costs §375 plus §55 installation-servicing
warranty. Both are TV-only table models (Vol. 2, No. 44).
One company promised 7" tube setsi early last year at §100, ended up Selling
them at nearly thrice that. It's still a problem of materials and labor costs. But
everything being produced now, high cost or low, is moving readily, as evidenced by(
fact DuMont in less than month (Jan. 27-Feb. 23) shipped more than §875,000 of its
expensive (§795-§2,495) sets, ,had orders on hand for §3,100,000 more. RCA is
channeling sets into areas with telecasting service as rapidly as possible, has set
March 10 as "T-Day'1 for its 90 Los Angeles dealers, has promised that city 10% of
1946 production (or 15-20,000 .sets). Chicago is getting more and more sets, at lat-
est count (according to "Retailing") had 1,300 sets. And Detroit News' VVWDT began
daily test patterns last Tuesday, making that city another new priority market.
FM SETS, SISN3 JOT PORTEHTS: Pilot Radio Corp.'s big ad in Thursday's New York
Times not only gave FM a fillip in nation's biggest market, but flew directly in
face of manufacturers who've been complaining about overzealous FM promotion (Vol.
3, No. 7). Pilot timed its "three-fold message on FM" with IRE convention, ad-
dressed portions of copy separately as "a message to" (1) radio engineers, (2) FM
broadcasters, (3) the public. Of course, it also plugged its new §107.50 AM-FM
table model.
There's no blinking fact that AM-only table models aren't moving too well.
Clearances and price-cutting, especially of off-brands, are now the rule.. Dealers
are even asking that manufacturers come down on Aid-phonograph table models priced
above §100 retail, saying this is out of line with consoles sometimes costing less.
And in Some places, FM promotion has been so effective that dealers won't accent
consoles without FM. Trade indications are that just about all consoles will in-
clude FM before year is out.
An FM enthusiast of our acquaintance, annoyed that FM was unmentioned in
several manufacturer ads in one recent issue of Saturday Evening Post, wrote each
company to ask why — and what were their Fid production plans? Replies were sig-
nificant enough to merit quotation, were perhaps even symptomatic — especially the
one from Ben Abrams, Emerson, biggest of the table model set producers:
"Emerson expects to release FM radios within three months. By that time it
is hoped that FM programs will be Sufficiently improved [sic !] to justify the higher
prices. .. .For the next five years, at least, you will receive the more important
programs over the AM system." (Editor's Note: Why the sudden interest in pro-
grams? Emerson is not now, never has been, very important sponsor of radio programs.)
Wrote Philco's A. E. Allsn: "Within the next two months Philco will be
offering a table model FM receiver. .. .Your local dealer will be- able to give you
information on this set within the next 45 days." Wrote Bendix's Paul J. Reed:
"We are just now Starting production on an AM-FM model which in over-all appearance
will be almost identical to the one (AM) you saw illustrated. .. .As for AM-FM table
models, however, there will be a considerable delay."
THE REVOLT AGA1H37 RADIO': Big, pontifical Fortune Magazine, March issue, adds its
voice to radio's harsh critics in article titled "The Revolt Against Radio," sub-
headed: "A loud minority is disgusted with American broadcasting. The radio indus-
try bases its defense on the majority. The debate is livelier than the prospects."
It goes on to say: "Today, it looks very much as if any substantial improvement in
the Standards of American radio must wait on the rise in the industry, from within
or without, of directing personalities willing to take a chance on higher quality —
because they get a satisfaction from higher quality, and because they have a convic-
tion that eventually it will pay." That about sums up article, which culls heavily
the speeches, writings, etc., of Dr. DeForest, Frederick Wakeman, Variety, John
Crosby, H. T. Webster, Robert Ruark, Henry Morgan, Fred Allen, William S. Paley, FCC
Blue Book, on one side; Niles Trammell, U of Denver poll, Carroll Carroll (Los
Angeles adman) , on the other.
- S2GHT AND SOUND ..
Drift in FM receivers, an annoyance that has cropped
up in some sets, has a solution in crystal control. That’s
conviction of American Quartz Laboi'atories, Yonkers,
N. Y. (also a Class A applicant), whose chief engineer,
William Maron, has developed an FM-only set to retail for
$200. Set has IS channels, must be tailored for local fre-
quencies. AQL is also making $150 FM converter for AM
sets. Maron says set will be expanded for areas where
more than 18 signals are available. He feels $200 for FM-
onlv not prohibitive, claiming, for example, that WGYN,
New York, asserts it can distribute 100,000.
FM broadcasters who want tall towers and are having
CAA trouble might take a leaf from Cowles v.p. T. A. M.
Craven’s book. For KRNT-FM, Des Moines (which holds
a CP for 158 lew at 745 ft), Comdr. Craven wants a 1,530
ft tower. Before doing anything else, he checked with
CAA officials, found unobjectionable site at Mitchellville,
northeast of Des Moines. When erected, at estimated
$200,000 cost, 1,530-ft tower (believed tallest man-made
structure in world) will put KRNT-FM’s 50 uv/m con-
tour out 100 miles, “usable” signal 120 miles. Plans call for
Westinghouse 50 lew transmitter.
Precious 620 kc channel goes into New York area
under FCC’s 5 lew grant to Newark Broadcasting Co. (A. G.
Vanderbilt, Essex County counsel, past president Ameri-
can Bar Assn); denied were Donald Flamm (ex-WMCA)
and Metropolitan Broadcasting Service (Ohrbach’s dept,
store). This week, oft-embattled occupant of 620 kc,
Milwaukee Journal’s WTMJ (NBC), applied for permis-
sion to purchase 250-watt WSAU, Wausau, TV is. (CBS),
where it plans second FM; price is $200,000.
Oral arguments on 30 kc AM separation in same area
(Vol. 3, No. 9), with FCC sitting en banc Friday, found
Attorney Paul Spearman principal proponent for 30 kc
now. Most of those present, chiefly engineers, were op-
posed on basis of “insufficient scientific data,” and their
arguments seemed to impress commissioners. Experimen-
tation on high powers, lower frequencies was urged.
FMA’s dynamic young prexy, Roy Hofheinz, KTHT
and KOPY (FM), Houston, no sooner was done with New
Orleans AM hearing last week (he’s seeking 50 kw day,
25 kw night on 1540 kc) than he and his Texas oilman part-
ner, TV. N. Hooper, applied for Dallas (10 kw on 740 kc).
That makes fourth AM they seek; the others are 50 kw day
on 1530 kc in Harlingen, Tex., and 5 kw on 860 kc in San
Antonio.
Still hazy subject of FM blanketing is being examined
by FCC and FMA. Some complaint has emanated from
Syracuse, where flock of transmitters are almost on top
of each other. It’s too early to tell, but any one, or combi-
nation, of following factors may be involved: Too close
proximity of transmitters, too close assignment of fre-
quencies, poor receiver selectivity, ignorance of set tuners.
Philco’s touted TV set (Vol. 3, No. 7) has more of its
secrecy unveiled in article, with diagram, in March issue of
Caldwell-Clements’ Tele-Tech.
“Skullduggery,” “armchair geographer,” “legerde-
main,” are among the terms, technical and otherwise,
tossed around in a revival of the old high-low FM band
squabble in February Proceedings of the IRE. FCC’s
Edward W. Allen matches microvolts with this powerful
pro-low band array: Armstrong, Jansky, deMars, Pollack,
Carnahan, Brown. Allen’s paper is said to have had pe-
culiar history. It was presented at IRE meeting Jan. 25,
1945, by Allen and K. A. Norton. Later, authors were
reported desiring to withdraw it from discussion; IRE
said “No.” Then, along the way, Norton withdrew his
byline, paper was revised, discussed, is finally presented
with discussion 2 years after original submission.
Circular polarization for FM and TV, which hasn’t
seemed to have caught on particularly well, largely be-
cause of lack of gain, got respectful attention at IRE con-
vention. II. A. Wheeler, consulting physicist, told about
a helical antenna which (theoretically, at least) offers not
only gain but possibility of suppressing TV ghosts. RCA’s
antenna expert George Brown also outlined work of his
company in circular field. Some listeners were a little dubi-
ous of getting viewers to install adequate receiving an-
tenna to receive circular waves.
Up from ranks also is CBS’s newly named operating
chief, 44-year-old Joe Ream, elected executive v.p. by
board this week; his former duties as secretary are taken
over by Julius Brauner, genei’al attorney. Ream is a ’27
law graduate of Yale, joined CBS as an attorney, headed its
legal dept, for 8 years.
Clyde H. Bend and Russell P. May have dissolved part-
nership in Washington consulting engineering firm of May
& Bond. Bond and George Gautney have become partners
in firm of John Barron, Consulting Engineers. May con-
tinues at old stand. (Note: Make changes in your Directory
of Consulting Engineers; Supplement No. 12-A.)
Steinmans’ clear-cut case of FM overlap (Vol. 3, No.
9), seen as test of FCC’s multiple ownership philosophy,
is no longer so clear-cut. New application of Wilmington
Tri-State Broadcasting Co. Inc. throws competitive issue
into the picture since only one channel remains unassigned
in Wilmington.
Excise taxes totaled $38,087,396 for calendar year
1946 on radio sets, parts, phonographs, as against $5,129,-
295 in 1945, Treasury Dept, reports; phonograph record
makers paid $6,129,456, compax'ed to $2,347,895. Since tax
is 10 To of manufacturei’’s selling price, you have index to
total production.
New RCA manager of TV equipment sales at Camden
is Merrill A. Trainer, working under T. A. (Ted) Smith.
He succeeds Henry Rhea, resigned to run new WHOW in
his home town of Clinton, 111.
“Television Primer of Production and Direction” by
Louis A. Sposa, WARD director of commercial operations,
is due in latter April. Published by McGraw-Hill, book is
for novices and is based on lectures at CCNY.
FM SETS — CHEAPLY AND QUICKLY: Here's a gadget that may be the answer to the
prayers of FMers losing their shirts Sweating out audience — a tiny unit, costing
only few dollars to make, that attaches to any AM radio and transforms it into an
FM receiver. In a downtown Washington office we> saw this little adapter (called
"blooper" by its inventor) plugged into an ordinary table AM set, listened to it,
handled it. It brought in a local FM station well; according to inventor, it covers
entire 88-108 me band, is static-free, has fidelity range limited only by the> audio
of AM set to which attached.
We're not going overboard for it yet, but as far as we can tell there's no
catch in it — and we've heard enough about converters, adapters, ,etc., to be very
leery. On his counsel's advice, the chap who thought it up — K.G. (Pug) Marquardt ,
chief engineer for the Capper stations WIBW and WIBW-FM, Topeka, and KCKN, Kansas
City, Kan. — would not open up his blooper's innards or tell what makes it tick,
not until legalities have been completed. It looks like' a square box made of alum-
inum, about 3 % in. cube, just about big enough to contain 3 packs of cigarets.
Youn^ Marquardt was quick to emphasise that his unit won't supplant a true
FM set, that it's intended primarily for the- lonesome STA-holder, particularly the
fellow with no AM to foot the bills. That's because gadget needs at least 500 uv/m
signal for good reception. Asked how he calculates it can be mass-produced for a
few dollars while GE, Stromberg, Magnavox and Packard-Bell (the latest) can't seem
to make a converter under §60, Marquardt says laconically: "Nothing to it. The
parts only cost me §4." No half-way FMer, he also rigged up a 10-gain, 3-element
receiving antenna, which he calls "plumber's delight," to wholesale at §5.90.
1,533 AMs, S09 MORE SOUGHT: Do you know that, as ,of today (March 15), there are
exactly 1,585 AM stations licensed or authorized for construction (some 1,100 li-
censees, the rest CPs)? And that 579 of these have been authorized in the 14%
months since Jan. 1, 1946, when the count was 1,004 (940 licensees, 64 CPs)? And
that still pending before FCC are approximately 900 applications for new AM sta-
tions, 350 applications for changed facilities for existing AM stations?
We cite these figures not only to contrast them with FM (48 licensees, 515
CPs, 177 conditionals, nearly 300 applications) — showing that AM still holds
greatest venture appeal — but also to emphasize the importance of our new AM Direc-
tory, due for publication shortly after the May 1 "freeze" ends. This Directory
will list all North American AM stations by States or Provinces and by Frequencies ;
all U.S. stations by Call Letters; all pending applications by States and by Fre-
quencies. By maintaining the weekly addenda sheets that will be furnished to sub-
scribers, as with our FM Directory (Supplement No. 47), you will have before you the'
AM picture in any locality and on any frequency at any time.
WHAT'S NEXT IN TV SETS: You'll be hearing a lot now about the new General Elec-
tric and Stewart-Warner TV receivers, just beginning to dribble into hands of~dis-
tributors in areas with TV service. Both are in production, both broke first
illustrations in ads in mid-March slick publications and both included models for
"T-Day" showings in Los Angeles this week. GE had floor models of its No. 801 (de-
Copyright 1947 by Eadio News Bureau
scribed in Vol. 3, .No. 4)' in -hands of about 20 dealers there; it's a console v/ith
AM band added, priced at §549.50 in East, §565 in West, plus §65 installation and
servicing fee. Its No. 802, looking very much the same but including EM and auto-
matic phonograph, was announced as 2-3 months away, will be priced around §800.
Stewart-Warner showed its "Videorama11 receivers in Chicago a few weeks ago,
had models of its 1-711 and T-712 consoles, one bleached and one natural" walnut , on
display in Los Angeles. It has 10-inch tube, includes AM band, will retail around
§700 plus §50 installation-servicing, should be ready for quantity delivery to deal-
ers next month. Largest displayer in Los Angeles, of course, was RCA; its price
for 621-TS there is §264.50, for 630-TS is §397.50 (as against §250 and §375 in East).
You can also expect, fairly soon, formal announcements from Philco, whose
"secret" IV Set (Vol. 3, No. 5, 7) is in production, and whose ad agency (Hutchins,
Philadelphia) is now preparing literature to break when sets reach dealers’ hands;
and from Farnsworth, whose table model set with 10-inch tube will start reaching
dealers in late April. "Our prices," Farnsworth President E. A. Nicholas advises us,
"will of course be competitive, with the possibility of certain models (particularly
our table types) being slightly lower priced than competitive models now |in the
market." Only table models now on' market are RCA’s. Farnsworth plans 4 TV models,
other 3 being a console, a lowboy modern combination TV, AM, phonograph, and a.
highboy TV-AM-FM-phonograph. Decision to produce TV sets in Fort Wayne instead of
Marion, Ind. , plant has resulted in temporary delays, but offers advantage of pro-
ducing under actual telecasting conditions from Farnsworth's own experimental TV
station in Fort Wayne.
m MEEDS MOB'S CHAHm SPACING; Latest of FM's age-of-puberty growing pains:
Stations in same area are too close together in frequency. At time basic alloca-
tion was proposed, set manufacturers agreed with proposal to assign every other
channel in same area, saying their sets would separate stations adequately. Now
that some cities have stations on air with considerable power, it turns out that
receivers don't do adequate job of separation.
FCC has made tests at Syracuse and is testing receivers at its Laurel (Md.)
laboratories, and although it hasn't yet all the data it wants, consensus of outside
experts is that reallocation with 3-channel separation is most practicable solution.
Receiver makers say it's too expensive to overcome problem in sets. If such a
reallocation is made nation-wide, it seems that only very largest cities are liable
to lose some channels, with rest of country not seriously affected. Interlacing
channel assignments of adjacent areas would take care of most localities.
Experiments at Syracuse were carefully controlled, we're told — no question
of transmitter overmodulation or uncalibrated receivers. In addition to FCC engi-
neers, GE, Stromberg and Zenith men were present. Philco, Hallicraf ter , GE and Pilot
Sets were among those used. In addition to interference problem, broadcasters are
now convinced of bad psychological effect of having a city's stations bunched in small
segment of dial. Listeners are hazy about station's identity iJntil station break.
TO SET ITS liO'OSS IM 0BBEIS: There isn't going to be any "czar" in the Eric Johnston-
Happy Chandler sense to clean up radio's alleged overcommercialism — Wednesday's
ardent front-page outburst by that self-annointed mentor of radio's morals. New
York Timesman Jack Gould, to the contrary notwithstanding. But there is a movement
under way, which Gould more accurately reported on inside page Thursday, to form
coalition of the men who foot radio's bill, advertisers and their agencies, with
broadcasters to work out code of practices to govern them all and put end to con-
stant carping over who's to blame for alleged abuses. "Czar" idea may have grown
out of several trips NAB's counsel Don Petty has taken to Hollywood to study how
Motion Picture Association polices its industry.
Acknowledging cascading criticism, top level advertising and radio execu-
tives have been discussing subject several months — sparked by CBS's Frank Stan-
ton, great believer in polls and surveys, and General Foods' Charles Mortimer, major
Sponsor. They think an organization can be set up to inform broadcasters on public
attitudes, fix standards of commercial practices, conduct researches into v/hat pub-
lic will and won't accept. This week an organizing committee was set up, to meet
sometime next ,month, headed by Mutual's Edgar Kobak and including : Niles Trammell,
NBC; Clair R. McCullough, Steinman stations; I.R. Lounsberry, WGR ; Thomas D'Arcy
Brophy, Kenyon & Eckhardt ; Sigurd S. Larman, Young & Rubicam; Robert F. Elder, Lever
Bros. ; Donovan B. Stetler, Standard Brands.
BREAKUP OF FM LOG-JAM: Looks like there's finally a substantial break in the 200-
odd FM applications gummed up for one reason or another. Parade of FM decisions is
definitely under way, gnawipg away at that backlog of 112. Those 23 halted by
overlap (Vol. 3, No. 9) are due for breakup, too, with FCC staff whipping them in
shape ,for Commission consideration. And those 30-plus lacking program analyses
(Vol. 3, No. 7) are due for quick disposal — dismissal, in fact, if data isn't in
by April 1. Grants this week comprised only 3 CPs, 9 conditionals (Supplement No.
47-1 herewith), including one for WTOL, Toledo, awaiting decision on ,Blue Book
charges, etc. Grant seems indication of Commission's thinking about WTOL's AM too.
MIAMI GETS TV; INDIAMA APPL1CAHT: There's a good possibility FCC's decision on
color TV will be out next week — ,but it's more probable the wee k after. Our guess
is Still what it w as at close of hearings (Vol. 3, No. 7). Meanwhile, eager to clean
up pending low-band applications. Commission this week granted its 52nd CP for
black-and-white operation to a relative late comer in Miami, received first new TV
application in many weeks — for , station in Bloomington, Ind.
Grant was made Wednesday to Southern Radio & Television Equipment Co., M i -
ami , which had applied only 2 months ago (Vol. 3, No. 3). It got Channel No. 4 (66-
72 me), with 1.57 kw visual, 786 watts aural power, 340 ft antenna, studio and
transmitter to be in El Comodoro Hotel. New Indiana application is from Sarkes Tar-
zian, ex-RCA, now consultant, who asks for Channel No. 10 (192-198 me) with 6.38 kw
visual, 3.31 aural power, 263.5 antenna height. Channel 10 is one of 5 assigned
Indianapolis (Supplement No. 17) which has only one TV grantee or applicant thus far
(Supplement No. 18-B) . Tarzian (of "HiFAM" fame, Vol. 3, No. 2) proposes to build
own plant, usa DuMont camera chains for total cost of only $38,270; then he aims
to manufacture TV equipment, including "receivers to retail below $200."
KILOCYCLES FOE THE COMRADES? If it hasn't already done so in decision on New
York FM cases, now being written, it's a good guess that one of rejectees (among
17 Seeking 5 available channels) will be People's Radio Foundation (Supplement No.
14-A) . Publicity spotlight turned on it this week by UP's Lyle Wilson, quoting
well-documented article in March 8 issue of anti-Communist "New Leader," should be
clincher. Wilson named names, wrote that group is "speckled almost black with Com-
munists. " And the Commies aren't riding very high in Washington these' days. Pro-
posed Chicago decision on hearing held way last May (11 for 10) finally came- out
this week — with WAIT to be denied because of past programming. Granted were non-
AMs Amalgamated, Balaban & Katz, UAW-CIO ; and AMs WENR, WCFL, WAAF , WMAQ, WGES,
WJJD, WSBC.
REPORT OH FACSIMILE: Publisher Jack Knight, his Miami Herald, its WQAM-FM, In-
ventor John V. L. Hogan and their staffs seem to be having time of their lives dem-
onstrating fax in Miami this week and next. It's clicked so well with school, civic
and business leaders, and public generally, reports Hogan, that they're now "making
plans for full-scale daily broadcast schedule to start in fall, when GE equipment is
delivered. "
Engineers of Radio Inventions Inc., headed by Hogan, have been Supervising
demonstrations at 3 locations simultaneously, helped by lads from local tech high
school. Equipment consists of one single scanner and monitor, 3 demonstration re-
corders, all prototypes made in RI labs. Fax editorial staff comprises editor, who
also acts as announcer, assistant for rewrites, IBM electromatic operator, staff
retoucher. They turn out 3 full hours of " programming" per day. Receiving points
have Shown v/irephoto pictures 15 minutes after filing in New York. Best record to
now for complete news page from start to reception, including editing and complete
makeup by IBM typewriter, is 11 minutes. Hot dispatches are broadcast direct by
pasting up teletype copy 30 seconds after last period. Knight's enthusiasm for fax
(Vol. 3, No. 9), his high place in newspaper world, led all press associations to
cover tests. Next definitive report on fax will shortly be published by Editorial
Research Reports, Washington, whose Kendrick Lee has been making study.
KEYDEY OF THE SOOTHSAYERS: Another educated guess on FM production comes in the
March "Radio & Television Retailing," whose pages are devoted largely to impressing
upon dealers that "FM is that great new something in radio!" But the Caldwell-
Clement s publication's figures are still guesswork, to be sure — in same category as
RMA President Cosgrove's estimate of 2 million FMs this year (Vol. 3, No. 4) and
Stromberg-Carlson President Manson's 3-4% million (Vol. 3, No. 2). But first 1947
figures aren't quite So promising — only 51,318 units in January (Vol. 3, No. 9).
"Radio & Television Retailing" reckons that, inasmuch as industry leaders
figure 15-18 million radios of all kinds will be produced in 1947, 20% of them FM
continued growth in Same ratio can be expected in 1948. So its pre-count is:
3.200.000 FMs selling for $320,125,000 in 1947; 6,200,000 for $496,326,000 in 1948;
12.140.000 for $728,400,000 in 1949. Whooping it up for dealers, it tells them
that average midget set sells for $22-50, average, table model $49.50, average table
"combo" (phonograph) $99.50; that if they sell all 3, they get $171.50; that if
they sell one FM-combo, they get $355.
■■ ■■ '■ - SIGHT AND SOUND :
Not much doubt how NAB’s engineering executive
committee feels about “mad rush” for new AM stations and
plethora of grants — they don’t like it, but at same time
admit there’s nothing they can do about it. At meeting this
week, chairmanned by WHA’s Orrin Towner, they asked
NAB to urge officially on FCC that it make new grants in
“strict adherence” to engineering standards. But they
wouldn’t say that isn’t being done now, except for one
member’s allusion to alleged remark by an FCC commis-
sioner that deluge of AM grants may “mess up AM band”
so badly they will all have no choice but to turn to FM.
Committee has recommended new NAB engineering chief,
soon to be named; voted to reconstitute transcription
standards panel and have it make study looking toward
new standards; recommended NAB work with FCC and
CAA on problems of locating antenna towers.
Broadcasting industry placed orders for $26,476,087
worth of transmitting and studio equipment during 1946,
got delivery of $6,491,067 worth, RMA reported Friday.
AM accounted for major portion of transmitter buying —
$10,469,072 ordered, $2,401,303 filled. FM orders amounted
to $4,753,669, deliveries $752,259. TV orders totaled
$4,740,899, deliveries $845,141, AM-FM studio equipment
orders amounted to $4,372,514, deliveries $1,784,060. TV
studio equipment orders were $709,712, deliveries $72,127.
RMA committee on FM (Vol. 3, No. 8) plans to meet
March 28 at New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, when it expects
to have figures on manufacturers’ 1947 FM production,
actual and contemplated. Questionnaires to set makers
went out this weekend. After studying answers, commit-
tee, Philco’s Larry Hardy, chairman, will make arrange-
ments to meet with FMA group on FM set production.
Chicago’s TV-boosting Electric Assn, claims Alderman
Moss’ use of paid time on WBKB was first political elec-
tioneering yet by TV — forerunner of what will be common-
place in 1948 national elections.
“Very hot item” is what Chicago dealers term Sears
Roebuck’s $169.50 wire recorder-phonograph-AM table
model which this week jumped from rumor state (Vol. 3,
No. 8) onto shelves of city’s 22 Sears stores. Set includes
hand mike and one spool of wire (which, running an hour
and costing $4.98, would seem too long and too expensive
for average use). If set is trouble-free and fidelity is as
satisfactory as claimed, it will prove very rough competi-
tion for other recorders which are being offered for $150-
$250 without radio or record player.
Rural and small town TV service by satellites is en-
visioned in March Science Illustrated. Article sees micro-
wave relay stations also rebroadcasting TV programs for
areas unable to support local stations. Such service, of
course, presumes FCC approval of satellites — which has
been recommended by industry (Vol. 3, No. 5). Story also
has two-page pictorial spread of new TV receivers, includ-
ing Telicon TV-FM-AM table model, first such picture
we’ve seen.
Interest in printed circuits (Vol. 2, No. 46) and other
war-learned production shortcuts continues to grow among
set manufacturers, particularly among newcomers with
no old equipment to amortize. For example, newcomer
Orthon Corp., Paterson, N. J., is giving serious considera-
tion to printed circuits. Among established manufacturers,
Belmont and Emerson have stated intention of using the
new tricks. A Belmont executive says May deliveries will
include such circuits, but his enthusiasm is temperate —
“some labor savings” amounting to “pennies” at present.
Borden Co. is employing Kenyon & Eckhardt as agency
in staging new Sunday night TV series on NBC’s WNBT,
New York, starting March 16 with one-act play, “The Flor-
ist Shop.” WNBT also announces addition of Benrus to
time-signal sponsors, through J. D. Tarcher & Co. Other
watch companies who are using or have used TV: Bulova,
Elgin, Gruen, Waltham.
088118 CDBEL’s j(|
AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE
OF THE
VISUAL BROADCASTING AND
FREQUENCY MODULATION
ARTS AND INDUSTRY
mum WEEKLY BY jj um HEWS B88AU, 1019 SQ^CTiCliT &VL JLW, MlSaiOS 5, D.S. TELEPHONE mSM 2029 • VOL 3, NO. 12
March 22, 3.947
NUCLEUS OF FM NETWORK? First land-line hookup of FM stations, set up to carry 1%-
hour concert Wednesday nights by Army Air Forces Band from Washington, starts March
26 with 3 pioneer FMers taking part. They emphasise they're not trying to start a
commercial network, say they're doing it largely to refuta criticisms of poor FM
programs (Vol. 3, Wo. 10). Comprising the setup (Continental Network, they call it)
are WASH-FM, Washington (Dillard) ; WITH-FM, Baltimore (Tinsley) ; W2XMN, Alpine,
N.J. (Armstrong). They are shelling out some Si ,800 in line charges for series to
run until May 7. They wanted more than 8,000 cycles, of course — 15,000 cps. if they
could get it. But terminal equipment to achieve 15,000 won't be available until
next year, AT&T told them. However, AT&T says 8,000 is now generally available.
Thus, shown hookup can work, other FMers may ask to plug in; it would be simple
and and not very expensive matter to add New York, Philadelphia, Schenectady, Utica,
Harrisburg, Allentown, Winchester, etc.
FD1 AND TV SET PRODOCTION UP: Trend is still upward, at slow but steady pace, in
both FM and TV production. February short month, according to RMA auditors, showed
total of 55,594 AM-FM receivers, highest to date (previous record: January, 51,318;
overall 1946 total, 181,485; pre-war total, 395,000). Out of February total, table
models numbered 7,968; consoles, 45,626. Interesting item in RMA report: Table
models included what should prove to be popular package — 768 AM-FMs with record
player, produced by unnamed private brand manufacturer.
February TV set production was 6,243 plus 10 converters (compared to 5,437
in January, 6,476 during whole of 1946, estimated 10,000 pre-war). February count
included 5,362 table models, 786 direct-view consoles, 95 projection consoles.
Total radio set production for February was 1,379,966, down from 1,564,171
January total, with consoles climbing to about 11%. This week RMA Excise Committee
appealed to FMers to support industry move to get 10% excise tax on radios removed
or reduced. Said Sonora's Joe Gerl, chairman: "Excise tax, combined with produc-
tion difficulties, has worked to hold FM set prices high. Removal of tax should be
a boon to FM broadcasters as well as AM stations."
MEANING OF COLOR TV EDfST: Those who gambled on status quo in TV, obtained licenses
or CPs, tooled up for low-band receiver production, were vindicated by FCC's decis-
sion Tuesday (full text in Supplement No. 49 herewith). Rejected flatly, finally
and unanimously was CBS's hotly contested petition for commercialization of the uhf
for Dr. Peter Goldmark's system of color TV.
So, officially, the brakes are off; the excuse most often given for holding
back — threat of overnight obsolescence — is removed. TV's 13 low-band channels
for black-and-white transmission and reception are safe, it would seem, from aban-
donment or radical upheaval for the next half dozen years, at least.
That's the essential meaning of the decision — clear sailing now for mono-
chrome. It remains to be seen whether those who pulled out to await color will re-
join the blue chip game that is TV. As things stand now (Supplement No. 18-B) ,
Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau
there- are 11 TV stations actually on the air (including Don Lee’s experimental
V/SXAO in Los Angeles, St. Louis Post-Dispatch's KSD-TV, Detroit News' -WWDT); plus
49 CPs outstanding, 15 applications pending — including 5 for New York's 4 remain-
ing channels.
There are 7 companies now delivering TV receivers — DuMont, General Elec-
tric, RCA, St ev/art -Warner , Telicon, U.S. Television, Viewtone — and at least a
score more with definite plans to produce TV sets this year (Vol. 3, No. 7). Such
companies as Philco, Farnsworth and Emerson are due out with models any day now.
And with the "color clouds" lifted, you can expect many more manufacturers to go
into TV set production.
Discreetly silent since decision came out, CBS may be expected to throw its
energies now into black-and-white. It never did give up its low-band WCBS-TV ; in-
deed, has been developing that New York station all along — only recently signing
Ford and General Foods to joint sponsorship of all Brooklyn Dodgers home games this
season (Vol. 3, No. 9). At recent FCC hearing, CBS president Frank Stanton said his
company has spent $2 million in developing color TV but added: "We are not prepared
to expend further substantial corporate energies in this direction should the Com-
mission rule adversely upon our petition."
Presumably, CBS will now cast about for ways and means of extending its low-
band operations to keep pace with competitors. Washington's 5 allotted channels are
all Spoken for, as are Los Angeles' 7. But in other cities where CBS has AM sta-
tions (Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis) and in San Francisco channels are still avail-
able. It won't be surprising? if CBS undertakes to buy out or1 buy into one of the
Washington or Hollywood stations in view of extreme importance of those key cities.
FCC's report is largely the literary handiwork of Asst. Gen. Counsel Harry
Plotkin, and an unusually well-written and lucid job for a Government document. Its
thesis is pretty much that of the preponderant industry forces who opposed CBS at
the hearings; it praises the CBS research effort, but says flatly that its color
system "does not represent the optimum performance which may be expected of color
television within a reasonable time."
ANOTHER TV FOB BETBQ1T: Detroit's third TV grant (5 channels allocated) went
Thursday to George B. Storer's Fort Industry Co., already holder of CP for video
outlet in Toledo (Vol. 2, No. 49). Channel No. 2 (54-60 me) was assigned, with 14.26
kw visual, 7.51 kw aural’ power, 500 ft antenna; proposed studio-transmitter build-
ing is at northwest corner of Woodward & Kirby Sts., proposed expenditure on plant
§229,000 exclusive of land and building.
Earlier Detroit grantees were Detroit News, whose WWDT is now undergoing
on-the-air tests with low power, and AJ3C which hasn't yet started to build its pro-
jected WDLT (Supplement NO. 18-B). Only other Detroit applicant is Paramount's
United Detroit Theatres, awaiting clearing up of Paramount-DuMont situation (Vol. 3,
No. 1). Of the mere 15 applications remaining, 5 are involved in New York case
(4 to be chosen, probably next werek) ; one other should be- granted shortly, that of
Daily News Television Inc. for Philadelphia (Vol. 3, No. 9), thus filling up that
city's quota of 4 channels.
Besides Detroit grant, FCC formalized grant to DuMont's WABD, New York, off
air for about 6 weeks, which returned with new equipment; it's now operating with
14.25 kw visual, 9.45 kw aural power, 640 ft antenna.
"COMES THE REVOLUTION!" NAB integrates its executive setup, should function much
more effectively with this week's appointments: Robert K. Richards, ex-Broadcast ing
Magazine, to be director of public relations; Royal V. (Doc) Howard, ex-KSFO, San
Francisco, director of engineering; Harold Fair, ex-WHO, Des Moines, director of
programs. All are top-flight men. NAB, incidentally, next weekend moves into its
sumptuous new Washington quarters — old Canadian Legation Annex, 1771 N St. N.W.
Public relations post is particularly important at moment, for belligerent
industry-can-do-no-wrong policy isn't sitting too well with FCC — quite aside from
danger of restrictive legislation it invites from Capitol Hill. NAB's part in latest
housecleaning move (Vol. 3, No. 11) is still not one of leadership, led "Variety"
to observe with characteristic candor under the provocative headline "Comes the
Revolution !" :
"For years there’s been a hue and cry to 'do something' about the radio
industry's public relations problems. Although the NAB is 25 years old and amply
financed and staffed, it apparently has been unable to do much because of the split
down the middle between big stations and little stations, and between those who are
anxious to meet criticism with action and reform as against those who want no 'inter-
ference' with their right to take any kind of business and follow any kind of trade
practices expediency and inclination suggest.
"The Broadcasters Advisory Council will outwardly 'include' the NAB, but as
many see it the brainpower will not be with the old trade association but the new.
The action of the big advertisers, big agencies and big broadcasters (namely net-
works) in acting on their own initiative reflects an unwillingness in top industry
leadership to allow their values and hopes to be scuttled by the continued practices
of the kind of station operators who exercise little or no voluntary censorship of
either the amount or kind of advertising they line up. As one' broadcaster summed it
up: 'We can no longer laugh off criticisms of the public on the one hand and the
telling opposition of the newspapers and magazines on the other, unless we break
through the habit of inertia and do-nothingism which has always stopped public rela-
tions organization for radio.'"
FM CHANNEL WORRIES CONTINUE: No question about it — FM channel separation problem
(Vol. 3, No. 11) is really a king-size headache for FCC, broadcasters and set
makers. Word from FCC is that they're still collecting facts. But it's increasingly
apparent that solution isn't in receivers, since even most expensive types don't do
adequate job of separation under all circumstances. As for bunching an area's
transmitters together, that's not always practical and may raise other problems.
Also, little suburban Class A's must be assured Class B's don't blank them out.
So it still looks as if a Class B reallocation is the answer. But how to do
it without junking most of present meticuouslv dove-tailed allocation and without
losing any (or many) channels? Of course, FCC has Some Slack in those reserved
’channels. But if those are absorbed in extensive' shifting, it will disappoint appli-
cants who've been banking on them for a second chance after being denied in hear-
ings. Other than these "deny-ees," however,, very few seem to be eyeing the reserved
channels. Two in Pittsburgh and one in Washington (CBS, which just dropped Minne-
apolis application) are only ones so far, and no great rush is anticipated at end of
reservation (June 30).
Class A reservation (Vol. 3, No. 4), incidentally, though not yet offi-
cially promulgated, is actually in effect in New York and Los Angeles areas where
flock of recent applications already outnumber channels available, reserved or
otherwise. Uncertainty on channel separation problem is given as additional reason
for freezing now.
As if FCC engineers didn't have enough trouble, it appears that some New
York FM stations will have to change frequencies, after all (Vol. 3, No. 7), to pro-
tect aircraft instrument landing systems (ILS). Engineers of WGYN, WBAM, WNYC-FM
are Scheduled to meet next week with FCC, CAA men to iron out problem. Shift, cost-
ing "up to $1,000" (probably to be borne by airlines) is likely to hold for a year.
Commission has assured airlines future assignments will be tailored to protect ILS.
TV AND THE POWER TO TAX: That 20 % Federal amusement tax you pay at theatres,
night clubs, etc. v/ould also be levied in public places showing TV programs, if
tentative Bureau of Internal Revenue ruling prevails. But TV people, particularly
TBA and RMA officials, protesting, came away from parleys with Washington tax offi-
cials this week with distinct feeling TV will be exempted, probably placed in same
tax-free category as radio, Muzak, juke boxes. Ruling so far is that tax is effec-
tive if "substantial" number of patrons can see pictures. Not only would tax deter
market for high-priced sets, most of which are going into public places like tav-
erns, bars, lounges, etc., but decline in number of multi-viewer locations v/ould
adversely affect sponsorship, especially of sports events. Question whether TV sets
must pay New York City movie tax is still open; Pennsylvania ruling that TVs in
places of business must get State amusement permit, is being fought in courts by
Philadelphia restauranteurs , who have asked for restraining order.
~ ■ - :■■■■ SIGHT AMD SOUND r-..:-.;: ■. —
Capable, popular FCC Chief Engineer George P. Adair
has resigned as of April 30 to start own consulting prac-
tice, located at 1833 M St. N.W., Washington. The 44-year-
old veteran of 16 years of FCC service will be succeeded by
53-year-old George E. Sterling, assistant chief engineer,
who entered Federal radio service as Dept, of Commerce
inspector back in 1923.
NAB’s moribund FM Dept, seems to be perking up,
has scheduled these subjects for agenda of March 27 New
York meeting of executive committee (Walter Daram, chair-
man): channel reservation, engineering standards, pro-
motional activities, set distribution, AFM non-duplication
rule, coordination with FMA, part in NAB convention.
FMA top-kick Everett Dillard, also on NAB committee,
says he can’t attend.
TBA petition for sliding scale of TV operating hours —
based on number of sets in city — went to FCC Friday with
good prospects of some scheme along this line being ac-
cepted. Suggested schedule calls for 7 hours per station
when there are up to 25,000 sets per station; 14 hours,
25,000 to 50,000; 21 hours, 50,000 to 75,000; 28 hours,
over 75,000.
Stanley Hubbard retains control of KSTP, St. Paul,
rival group of bidders is rejected, he gets loan of $850,000
from Avco to purchase other 757c of stock, Avco gets op-
tion on 49% after 6 months, not 75% first proposed (Vol.
2, No. 39), in FCC ruling Thursday.
Allocations in 30-40 me and 152-162 me bands (non-
government, fixed and mobile) were finalized by FCC Fri-
day. Copies of official reports (Mimeo 3529 for former,
3544 for latter) will be sent you on request. FCC also
assured “hams” it would look out for their interests at In-
ternational Telecommunications Conference in Atlantic
City May 15.
FM channel hunt in Peoria by West Central Broadcast-
ing Co. (Supplement No. 14-K) bore frujt this week. Ap-
plicant, which with Radio Peoria Inc., was being denied in
proposed decision, dug up 2 more channels (Supplement
No. 47- J herewith) and is in line for grant in an order due
next week. Radio Peoria Inc. is presumably still out in the
cold, since one of the new channels is reserved.
Successful vendor of some 1,500 TV kits before the
war, about 500 post-war, Andrea is considering another kit
this fall based on its new TV models which are due out in
June. Kit would be “so simple that a layman could put it
together.”
Amphenol, now making de luxe ($30) broad-band re-
ceiving antenna for AM, shortwave, FM, for which Scott is
one of their good customers, expects to make comparable
antenna for TV.
Domestic film supply being restricted by Petrillo-movie
agreement, TV programmers are leaning heavily on indus-
trial films and own newsreel units. NBC this week tied up
another source, got TV rights to newsreels and feature
films made in Soviet Union, carried first Wednesday night
—on Moscow meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers.
DuMont’s Paul Ware, referring to our note on FM re-
ceiver drift (Vol. 3, No. 10), assures us good drift control
possible without crystals— the Mallory-Ware Inductuner
holding within 2 kc per degree Centigrade under home
conditions. Galvin, too, has come up with a device giving
“complete compensation” for drift effect. Company says
permeability tuned transmission line achieves control with-
out sacrificing receiver selectivity. Feature is incorporated
in new $350 Motorola console.
Emerson’s new TV receiver, a low-boy console, in-
cludes AM and FM, will sell for $350 plus $50 installation-
servicing charge. Already off line are 100 sets for New
York market; large-scale production planned by summer.
Emerson will shortly announce AM-FM table model to sell
for $99.50; its ad agency, Grady & Wagoners, now pre-
paring copy.
Town Club Telicen, with largest projection screen
yet (23%xl7% inches), has g;one into production at last,
and Telicon Corp: President Solomon Sagall reports sev-
eral have been shipped to bars in New York City. It sells
for $1,995, costs $75 more to install. Sagall also says his
Intra-Video master antenna has been installed in office of
taxi tycoon Dan Arnstein in General Motors Bldg., New
York, is giving such good results it may be answer to real
estate owners’ objections.
Low-cost TV stations, through use of process film
shots, should make video available to small cities for about
$90,000, DuMont announced Friday. Translucent screen,
with 16 mm projector modified to run 30 frames a second
in rear, permits live “remotes” to be telecast inside studio.
DuMont’s Leonard Cramer also plumped for syndicated
“teletranscriptions”— film record of studio presentation
made from receiver screen for reshowing throughout
country.
Fifteen-minute recording on 3%" disc for 10c is boast
of Wagner Recorder Mfg. Corn., 67 W. 44th, New York
City. Recorder, demonstrated at IRE convention, achieves
feat by using pre-grooved (350 lines to inch) plastic disc.
Tracking stylus beneath record rides groove and moves
recording stylus (on top) across disc. Company plans 8"
disc for 100-minute recording.
Using brass-plated wire for its recorder. Brush De-
velopment Co., Cleveland, claims to have solved serious
problem of wear; plain steel wire, it seems, chews up play-
ing head at pretty expensive rate.
TV expert Richard W. Kubbell, Crosley production
manager, author of several important books on TV, has
resigned, opens own TV, radio and movie consulting busi-
ness April 1, at 630 Fifth Ave., New York City.
Sam Cuff, WABD manager, and Lou Sposa, commer-
cial manager, are out in DuMont shakeup that cuts New
York staff from 75 to 23, presages tightening up “to put
TV on dollars and cents operating basis.”
Senate Tuesday confirmed appointment of Commodore
Edward M. Webster to FCC (Vol. 3, No. 9); he fills unex-
pired portion of Porter term, ending June 30, 1949.
SEM3 PLANS CHEAP TV SET: Radio-alert Sears Roebuck plans leap into TV sales field
this year, marketing a "startlingly low priced set" manufactured by Colonial Radio
Corp. , subsidiary of big tube-making Sylvania Electric Products Inc. That’s all the
dope we have yet, gleaned only from remarks by Sylvania’ s chairman Walter E. Poor
in press conference Thursday at New York Bankers Club. Whether price will be under
RCA'S §250 and §375 TV-only table model units, now dominating market, or Emerson’S
projected low-boy TV-AM-FM console, to Sell for §350 (Vol. 3, No. 12), was not dis-
closed. But Buffalo plant of Colonial, even if not already in production, can be
added to list of Score or more manufacturers (Vol. 3, No. 7) who advised us they
will be in TV set production before end of this year.
THE FM INTEBFIEENCE SITUATION: There’s a problem, to be sure, but certainly no
"crisis" — and nobody's going to get hurt. That’s the consensus, as we gather it
from those who ought to know something about FM's current interference problem (Vol.
5, No. 12). Cry havoc stories and comment in the trade press, taken up in a scare
Story in Tuesday N.Y. Herald Tribune, are pretty generally discounted by the experts.
FCC sources say: Some reallocation of FM frequncies will be necessary --
that seems certain. But it won't be a radical revision of the allocation plan
(Supplement No. 48). There will be no loss of FM channels to anyone now assigned,
there is no thought of widening the FM band, and there’s definitely no jeopardy to
1 existing TV allocations.
In sum, those with savvy about FM observe: FM is not perfect, but no system
is perfect. Standards were set up largely from theoretical computations. Now that
service is under way. Some standards may have to be revised in the lght of operat-
ing experience — coverage predictions, field intensity measurements, multipath
reflections, tropospheric propagation, receiver characteristics. Consider, too,
that AM is 25 years old, yet is still undergoing changes in standards, even now has
30 kc separation for same areas under study. Also that AM went through several
radical reallocations. Also, that no matter how FM (or AM, for that matter) is
allocated, there will always be somebody building receivers to such low specifi-
cations that interference will result, competition being what it is.
We’ve interviewed dozens of experts to get the foregoing summation. A few
direct quotes may be pertinent. Comr. Jett: "We don't feel there's any interference
problem in FM that can't be solved in a very short time." Chief Engineer Adair:
"The seriousness of the FM interference problem appears to have been greatly exag-
gerated. It's only one of the growing pains of a new Service. Reasonable cooper-
ation between industry and FCC should make the solution not too difficult."
Maj . Armstrong said problem is merely one of proper transmitter location and
can be remedied by simple expedients, which he recounts in letter to Broadcasting
Magazine (March 31). GE's Russ David, protesting talk about "transmitter drift,"
declared problem is "one that can be readily corrected by reallocating FM stations 3
or 4 channels apart.... the same number of stations could be accommodated except in
the major centers of population where more channels may be required [although] proper
physical location would go a long way toward solving the problem in big cities."
Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau
Said Everett Dillard; "I'm not unduly worried. It'S only one of FM's growing pains
which might have become more serious if we hadn't recognized it early." And C. M.
Jansky, just back from Syracuse tests, said: "It is not Serious if consideration is
given proper separation between channels and transmitter locations." Also, Pilot
Radio , in 3-column ad Saturday in New York papers, seized occasion to tout selectiv-
ity of its §107.50 AM-FM table model (Vol. 3, No. 7).
* $
Syracuse situation, which precipitated problem (Vol. 3, No. 11), was clari-
fied this week when FCC ordered these wider-separation station assignments: WFBL-
FM, remains on 93.1 me (Channel No. 226) ; WSYR-FM shifts to 94.5 me (No. 233) ; V/AGE-
FM shifts to 96.1 me (No. 241). All are CPs (Supplement .No. 47). Channels 233 and
241 are new for Syracuse, which may be indicative of FCC thinking on FM reallocation.
NAB GROUP SETS m POLICY: You see signs on all hands of perking interest in FM —
most of it spontaneous, some of it sparked by FMA's indefatigable and capable direc-
tor, Bill Bailey, who's spending his time speechmaking, conducting panels, confer-
ring. Even NAB's FM executive committee sprang to life this week, held well at-
tended meeting in New York, came out with unanimous resolution that Petrillo ban (on
AM-FM duplication) "not only deprives the listening public of many worthwhile
musical programs, but constitutes the greatest single obstacle to the growth and
expansion of FM broadcasting."
Committee recommended "every means be employed to bring about the^ early re-
moval of this obstacle," which means NAB hierarchy is asked to go to work on this,
non-promot ional facet of FM which is distinctly within its province. NAB head-
quarters, snubbed by Petrillo so often, won't say what it will do. But it's be-
lieved that, as soon as current network-AFM negotiations are completed, efforts will
be extended to make question of AM-FM duplication subject of further talks by
broadcaster-union spokesmen (Vol. 3, No. 4).
Not a word of doubt about FM's destiny (despite attitude of die-hard aloof-
ness often charged against NAB) was heard at committee meeting, attended by such
figures as Chairman V/ alter Damm, John Shepard, Gordon Gray, John Hogan, Lester
Nafsger, Matthew Bonebrake, Hudson Eldridge (for Everett Dillard), Bill Bailey (for
Leonard Asch) , NAB staffers Bob Bartley and Bee Arney. Committee also recommended
that (1) FM matters be integrated with other broadcast Subjects at Atlantic City
NAB convention this fall ; (2) FM-only panel again be conducted there to take up such
Subjects as complete or partial duplication or segregation of AM-FM programming,
etc. ; (3) Small markets study be made for benefit of FM operators.
GuS SUCCESS STORY, 194S: As a commentary on the bigness that is now radio, let alone
the enormous success achieved by iCBS and its officers in less than 20 years since
that network was founded, CBS's 1946 annual report and financial statement makes
fascinating reading. Issued this week in preparation for April 16 meeting of stock-
holders, it obviously was written before FCC's decision rejecting its color TV sys-
tem (Vol. 3, No. 12). But in recapitulating its position on color, a brief obser-
vation in the report furnishes just about the only Statement, formal or informal,
that's come from the company since the decision: "If the Commission should act un-
favorably on the petition, Columbia would curtail its color television development
activities." Other highlights of report:
CBS assets at end of 1946 were §35,907,881 (total fixed assets, less re-
serves, §8,907,825), and its earned surplus was §20,792,311. Increasing importance
of its recording subsidiary (Columbia Recording Corp., which made and Sold 65 mil-
lion records last year) is reflected in income statement: Gross income from broad-
casting operations was §71,014,337 (net after taxes, §3,915,674); from recording
manufacturing §20,982,485 (net after taxes, §1,880,222). Consolidated net income
total of §5,795,896 (nearly one-third from recording business) exceeded 1945 by
§450,255; but since 1945 included an extraordinary gain of §1,037,014 from VVBT sale,
1946 net income from operations really showed an increase of §1,487,269 over 1945.
Of 958,428 Class A and 758,924 Class B shares, mostly publicly held, direc-
tors held larger blocks as follows: William S. Paley, 88,510 and 233,500; Isaac D.
Levy, 31,726 and 21,380; Leon Levy, 14,100 and 40,900; Samuel Paley, 9,000 and
21,300; Frank Stanton, 810 and 2,525; Joseph H. Ream, 100 and 100. (Dividends paid
in 1946 were $2.30 per share, compared with $1.80 in 1945.)
CBS executive salaries and bonuses continued among highest in radio, amount
in parentheses is approximate net after Federal taxes: William S. Paley, $65,000
($27,600) ; Joseph H. Ream, $52,740 ($24,640) ; Frank Stanton, $94,010 ($32,810) ;
Paul W. Kesten (resigned as of Dec. 31, 1946), $50,000 ($23,500); Edward Waller-
Stein, $57,884 ($25,884) ; Frank K. White, $52,740 ($24,640) ; Herbert V. Akerberg,
$30,689 ($17,389); H. Leslie' Atlass, $40,805 ($21,205); Douglas Coulter (resigned),
$24,000 ($15,000) ; Earl H. Gammons, $21,663 ($14,063) ; William C. Gittinger, $35,470
($19,370) ; Lawrence W. Lowman, $33,420 ($18,720) ; Howard S. Meighan, $22,661 ($14,-
461); Adrian M. Murphy, $36,451 ($19,751); Edward R. Murrow, $64,243 ($27,443),
part being compensation as news analyst; Davidson Taylor, $27,095 ($16,295) ; Donald
W. Thornburgh, $34,225 ($18,925).
THIS IS THE "BLOOPER": Here's a letter that tells its own Story — our only com-
ment being (1) that we never did say we were fully sold on K.G. Marquardt's (WIBW-
FM, Topeka, Kan.) little gadget to convert any AM set into FM, but only reported
(Vol. 3, No. 11) how we actually saw it work, and (2) that we'll send any of our
subscribers a photostat of the diagram herein mentioned. The letter and diagram are
from Frank Shopen, Omaha World-Herald's technical supervisor who manages its KOAD:
"Re your March 15th issue regarding 'FM SET — CHEAPLY AND QUICKLY' : Since
you are curious as to the' 'innards' of the 'blooper,' we thought you might be inter-
ested in the enclosed diagram. The Aug. 15, 1946 magazine section of the' Omaha
World-Herald described a 'blooper' which is connected to 3 additional tubes and
makes a complete 4-tube FM radio. We built the set as a stunt and about 200 of
them have been built by amateurs and experimenters in Omaha. The circuit is far
from nev/ since it is simply the super-regenerative detector invented by Prof. Arm-
strong 20 or more years ago. It so happens that this type of detector will respond
to either FM or AM signals and has a very high degree of noise rejection on either.
Unless the received signal is strong on FM, the quality is impaired and the hissing
noise made by the detector is not completely eliminated.
"The KOAD engineering staff has experimented with this type circuit for
nearly a year trying to overcome the handicaps. The circuit has 3 principal objec-
tions : (1) An additional control is needed and must be used to vary the voltage on
the super-regenerative detector. This control must be adjusted for different sta-
tions, thus single dial tuning is lost. (2) If enough signal is received to get
good quality, the set is not selective enough to receive stations which are close
together on the band. (3) The principal objection is the fact that the detector is
a miniature transmitter also, and thus will re-radiate and cause interference.
"The term 'blooper' is one which has been used for many years by 'hams' to
designate this circuit and the regenerative circuit. This letter is not intended to
criticize Pug Marquardt since he is a very good friend of the writer and a very able
engineer, but we hate to see the hopes of FM broadcasters built up with the an-
nouncement of this device, without at least mention of its limitations."
TV BORDER ALLOCATIONS: Not generally known is fact that Canadian Government
has asked FCC to hold out one of Detroit's 5 assigned TV channels for possible use
in Windsor, just across the Detroit River. So, actually, there's only one channel
left in Detroit, since 3 have already been granted (Vol. 3, No. 12). Canadian
officials are expected to submit proposals soon to FCC on integration of video allo-
cation for Vancouver and Victoria (northern Washington State area) and for Toronto
and Hamilton (Buffalo, N.Y. area). FCC engineers believe they will be able to work
out plan that won't reduce number of channels already assigned (or proposed to be
assigned) to U.S. cities concerned.
DECISION DUE CN OVERLAP: It's a pretty fair deduction FCC v/on't write or rewrite
any rule to cover FM overlap problem (Vol. 3, No. 9), but will act on individual
cases as they arise. Commission's thinking will become more apparent when it decides
30-odd cases involved in recent hearing, probably next week. But some inference may
be drawn from conditional grant last week to Donald W. Reynolds for Okmulgee, Okla.
(Supplement No. 47-J) . He also holds CP for Fort Smith, Ark., which overlaps Ok-
mulgee to extent that its 50 uv/m contour includes all of Okmulgee's 1,000 uv/m con-
tour and about 80;$ of Okmulgee's 50 uv/m contour.
FCC granted 8 CPs, 4 conditionals this week (Supplement No. 47-K herewith),
also granted 5 CPs for educational FMs, issued roundup on these non-commercials
Showing 6 operating, 28 CPs, 16 applications pending. New quarterly edition of our
Directory of FM Licensees, Grantees and Applicants, bringing Supplement No. 47 and
all pink addenda sheets up to date under one cover, will be issued next week.
. S3GHT AND SOUND ...
Magnificent performance, with full 15,000 cycle range
broadcast in Washington, better than 8,000 off line on
Baltimore and Alpine stations, marked Army Air Force’s
inaugural Wednesday of FM’s first hookup — Continental
Network (Vol. 3, No. 12). In addition, Schenectady’s WBCA
and Hartford’s WDRC-FM took it off air, rebroadcast it
with good results. Other FMers can also tap into line, or
take it off air, without any restrictions except that they
first test adequately. Excellent programming, if continued
during rest of series of 7, augurs well for demonstrating
FM at best.
Solution to FM interference with N. Y. aircraft land-
ing system (Vol. 3, No. 12) involves temporary change of
frequencies for WGYN, which goes to 98.1 me. (No. 251)
and WNYC-FM, to 94.1 me (231)— effective until March 1,
1918, by which time airliners will be equipped with re-
ceivers better able to filter out unwanted signals. WOR’s
WBAM, now conducting propagation tests, won’t come on
its assigned 96.5 me until after deadline. Frequencies were
obtained by borrowing from New York’s 4 “reserve” chan-
nels, although July 1 is date set for end of reservation plan.
Airborne Instruments Laboratory Inc., Mineola, N. Y.,
has added branch at 2627 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank,
Cal., to provide field measurement service for FM, TV, AM,
police, etc., specializing in adjustment of directional an-
tenna arrays and proof of performance. Robert D. Martin,
ex-Edwards & Martin, Detroit, is in charge; Mineola head-
quarters is headed by Hector Skifter, ex-KSTP.
“Facsimile Newspapers” is title of latest Editorial
Research Reports, Washington news research bureau, serv-
ing mainly editorial writers. Written by staffman Ken-
drick Lee, report is pretty complete compilation of all that’s
known on subject, including discussion of Mayflower deci-
sion’s effect on ether-borne newspapers.
Farnsworth’s drift-correcting, push-button tuning FM
set (Model GK-143) is the latest FM receiver to incorporate
these vital characteristics for flawless FM reception (Vol.
3, No. 12). The Fai’nsworth set includes AM and phono-
graph, has built-in dipole for FM signals.
Bureau of Internal Revenue ruled this week that TV
set in public place doesn’t make such place a cabaret, thus
liable to 20% amusement tax. Decision was announced in
letter to TBA’s J. R. Poppele and superseded all previous
rulings on subject (Vol. 3, No. 12).
Aide to Scripps-IIoward’s James Hanrahan in planning
and building TV station WEWS, Cleveland (Supplement
No. 18-B), will be technician-newsman J. Harrison Hart-
ley, v.ho leaves NBC’s TV Dept. April 15.
Radio should play a more “responsible” part in today’s
unsettled world. This is how the Time Inc. and U of
Chicago-sponsored Commission on the Freedom of the
Press says it should be done: (1) Agencies of mass com-
munication must accept the responsibilities of common car-
riers of information and discussion; (2) radio industry
must take control of its programs and treat advertising as
it is treated by newspapers; (3) constitutional guarantees
of freedom of the press must be recognized as including
radio and movies. There are other recommendations in
report issued this week but the foregoing apply most spe-
cifically to radio. They are also discussed in new book,
“American Radio,” by ex-OWI news and features chief
Llewellyn White, radio expert of the Free Press Commis-
sion (U of Chicago Press, $3.25).
Busiest little beaver in FM these days is Leonard
Asch (WBCA, Schenectady). He’s (1) incorporating the
Liberty Broadcasting System, a proposed $6 million mu-
tual, exclusively FM net work that will combine land line,
radio relay and transcription services; (2) directing first
regional I’M A meeting at Albany’s Ten Eyck Hotel April
14; (3) organizing an FM seminar for his Radio Consult-
ants Inc. to be held April 24 to 26 at Washington’s Hotel
Statler which will take up operating and management prob-
lems for FMers, fee $100 per person, $15 for registration;
(4) participating in AM engineering conferences for AM
application he’s interested in for Albany, N. Y.
TV for barrooms, restaurants, public places offers at-
tractive enough market that 4 ex-DuMont engineers headed
by Horace Atwood Jr. have established Industrial Tele-
vision, Inc., 36 Franklin St., Nutley, N. J., to offer receiv-
ing unit with several screens that can be operated through
remote control tuner. Unit would include public address
system and provide for FM reception during TV off-hours.
Plans call for 75 sets first year.
GE’s proposal of $4-85,000 FM transmitter with mini-
scule output (2-plus watts), for educational “radio work-
shop” use, sounds fine to U. S. Office of Education’s radio
chief, Franklin Dunham, but he says it’ll serve only one
function of educational radio. Other function, mass edu-
cation, still needs high power, he says.
TV’s 2S-hour-per-week rule was waived once again
this week, until June 30. FGC received TEA proposals too
late to act upon them before previous waiver of rule ex-
pired March 31. Decision is expected on TBA proposals
(Vol. 3, No. 12) shortly.
Milwaukee Journal (WTMJ-FM), pioneer in FM,
holder also for CP for FM in Wausau (Supplement No.
47-D), this week applied for third FM outlet — Green Bay.
HARTiH CflDEL’
AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE
OF THE
VISUAL BROADCASTING AND
FREQUENCY MODULATION
ARTS AND INDUSTRY
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BT h
C0HHEGT1CDT AYE. fiW., WASH18STDM 8.B.S. TELEPHONE H1SH1BAH 2023 • VOL 3, NO. 14
April 5, 1947
UP-TO-THE-MINUTE DIRECTORIES: Supplement No. 50 herewith,- our second Quarterly Di-
rectory of FM Licensees, Grantees and Applicants, consolidates all the data in
Supplement No. 47, 47-A, et seq, which can now be discarded. It also includes this
week’s unusually light grants — only 4 conditionals, G STAs. This 6-part Directory
brings your FM records up-to-date in handy form; it also will be' supplemented by
the pink addenda reports based on current FCC actions, which are sent you weekly.
Extra copies are available to subscribers at §1 each. .Note : Our AM Directory is
in the works, will be handled in much the same manner as our FM Directory, with
weekly addenda reports designed to keep you up-to-the-minute on AM licensees, CP
holders, applicants (by States, frequencies, catll letters) ; looks now like it will
run about 96 pages when it rolls off press in early May.
FM-ONLY TABLE MODEL: That of t-talked-about FM-only table model receiver is at
last taking shape, looks like it should cost about $39 to manufacture. To our non-
technical ear it Sounded fine when demonstrated this week at offices of promoters
(Electronics Inc., Bowen Bldg., Washington) , headed by radio attorney Bill Koplo-
vitz of Dempsey & Koplovitz. It’s a more refined job than Shown at FMA convention
last January (Vol. 3, No. 2), contains some nifty features, is called "Minuette."
Plan is to bring together manufacturer (Airadio Inc., Stamford, Conn.) and
FM broadcasters, who may want to arrange own distribution in their territories,
perhaps even taking dealerships themselves. Set is 7-tube, AC-DC, with 5-inch
Speaker, Armstrong circuit. It can be used as complete receiver, or as FM tuner
(attachment to AM audio output provided). It is said to have clear reception be-
tween stations Separated by only one channel, high sensitivity to signals as low
as 30 uv. Power cord acts as antenna for high intensity signals, but outside
aerial is recommended for weaker signals. No drift is present after warm-up period
(about 5 minutes).
TV's CHICKEN-EGG MARKETS: RCA isn’t waiting for completion of NBC’s new Washing-
ton TV station WNBW (due for tests in May or early June) before launching next in
its series of T-Days. Capital's T-Day breaks Sunday, April 13, with big Spreads
in local newspapers, launching week of special events highlighted by telecast of
season's baseball opener (Yankees vs. Senators). DuMont's WTTG will provide sig-
nals, incidentally is negotiating to sign all Washington club's games as regular
feature ; DuMont already has Yankee' home games signed.
Something like 700 RCA sets (table models 630-TS, 621-TS) are being routed
into Washington market, which already has an estimated 200 sets in homes mostly of
radio folk or VIPs like FCC top-kicks, high politicos, etc. GE expects about 50 of
its model 801 (Vol. 3, No. 11) to be on view at its capital dealers during Y/eek.
DuMont So far has made no special plans to capitalize on promotion.
RCA-promoted T-Days have clicked quite well in New York, Chicago, Los An-
geles, St. Louis, and have created far greater demand for receivers than can yet be
filled. It's a chicken-first-then-eggs plan — to have sets follow stations, to
Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau
promote and sell intensively for first v/eek in those cities opening up new TV out-
lets. We're conducting survey now to find out construction and opening date plans
of the 50-odd TV construction permittees (Supplement No. 18-B) and hope to report
to you soon. Right now we don't look for many new ones on air this summer, but
prospects look good for at least dozen more outlets before year ends.
Meanwhile, we've had reports on 4 more manufacturers v/ho say they're defi-
nitely planning’ TV set production this year. You can add these to the 25 or so we
reported in Vol. 5, No. 7 and 13: Howard Radio, Chicago, table model and console, '
both with 10-inch tube, latter with AM-FM-phono; John Meek Industries, Plymouth,
Ind. , table and console, with AM-FM-phono, planned production 25,000 units this
year; Pilot , table model with 10-inch tube, console with 15x20-inch screen and AM-
FM-phono; Bace Television Corp. , So. Hackensack, N.J., large-screen console for
clubs, taverns, etc., cost §1,650 up. None of others could tell prices as yet.
$19 H3LLI0H TMiATBS TV GATE: Maybe it's only Broadway big-talk, but "Variety" this
week plays up "Sock Boxoffice In Theatre' Video," forecasts §10,000,000 "gates" at
Madison. Square Garden when TV rights can be sold. It quotes Garden Corp.'s presi-
dent John Reed Kilpatrick as seeing earnings of that much even when actual box-
office is "mere" §1,000,000 — the rest to come from people going into movie houses
all over country (coaxial cable to make this possible by end of 1948) to watch big
events as they occur. Gen. Kilpatrick also apparently isn't any more afraid of
TV inroads on boxoffice than N.Y. baseball clubs, who've all sold rights, is quoted
as saying TV will stimulate interest in sports, make new converts (especially
ladies, who seem to love today's prizefight telecasts). This attitude apparently
isn't shared by Ringling-Barnum & Bailey Gircus, who so far have declined permis-
sion to WCBS-TV which holds Garden video rights for Ford Motor Co.
As viewed from Washington vantage point, trouble with big-money story is that
acceptable theatre-screen TV seems long way from ready, channels haven't even been
applied for, movie moguls with exception of Paramount seem even more indifferent to
‘TV than newspapers were to radio in early days, have even gone along meekly with
Petrillo ban on video's use of films with music however old. Society of Motion
Picture Engineers, however, has Paul J. Larsen watching things at FCC ; former pres-
ident of SMPE , he's now employed as scientist at Johns Hopkins Labs in suburban
Silver Spring, Md.
HCiVs ERI3HTSH TV SSHESH: Not to be outdone by Philco, whose bright and contrasty
large-Screen TV receiver (Vol. 3, No. 7) is due on market in 30 to 60 days, RCA at
New York IRE meeting Wednesday demonstrated new 15x20-in screen (about newspaper
page size) that boosts brightness of projection-type pictures "2% times" over earlier
models — comparing very favorably in brightness with direct-view tubes. In fact,
said TV design chief Antony Wright, "we are not aware of any commercial projection
type of receiver which will produce a brighter or clearer picture-" iScreen is un-
derstood to use same directive principle as Philco's, will go into big RCA console
models due out later this year. Added is anti-halation lens, which permits good
contrast no matter how bright the picture.
T-MIS* IHTEslFERIHO WITH TV: There's interference in TV reception, too, aside from
what you'd naturally expect from street-cars, diathermy machines and suchlike.
Reports that TV set owners are getting it from nearby "ham" transmitters are true
enough, but engineers don't think it's serious. FCC has received several letters
about WCBS-TV's Channel No. 2 — from Bridgeport, Conn., and southern New Jersey.
Second harmonic of amateur 28-29.7 me band (56-59.4 mef falls within TV 54-60 me
band, thus can play hob with video reception. But difficulty can be overcome by
(1) asking "hams" to suppress harmonic to as near zero as possible, (2) ordering
them to shut down during best telecast hours. Latter is within power of FCC under
rules. TV engineers look for similar interference from diathermy equipment when
units come on market in recently authorized 27.3 me band.
V/HITHEH FBE5S, WHITHER RADIO? Some eloquent statistics on comparative status and
trends in the newspaper and radio fields; you can interpret them as you wish:
(1) There were 1,765 daily newspapers in U.S. at beginning of 1947, up 14
from preceding year, as against 2,461 in 1916, according to 1947 Editor & Publisher
Yearbook. (2) Fewer than 10,000 weekly newspapers remain, as against more than
16,000 in 1910, says report of [Hutchins] Commission on Freedom of the- Press, re-
leased last week. (3) Approximately 1,600 AM broadcasting stations are licensed or
authorized, according to our own current compilations for our forthcoming AM Direc-
tory (Vol. 3, No. 9, 11), as against 1,004 at beginning of 1946, 943 in 1945, 733
when Federal Radio Commission was set up in 1927, only 30 in 1922. (4) Pending
before FCC are nearly 900 applications for additional AM stations, also to be listed
in our AM Directory. (5) There are about 750 FM licensees or grantees, plus nearly
300 pending new station applications (Supplement No. 50 herewith).
And, of the AM stations, about one-third are owned in whole or part by news-
papers, slightly more in FM.
COURTS, CONGRESS & BLUE BOOK: Blue Book issue may at last get court test NAB, some
radio attorneys and FCC itself would like. It may get more than that — airing in
Congress, where resolution (H. Res. 165) by influential Chairman Wolverton of House
Interstate Commerce Committee calls for committee probe that inevitably would em-
brace censorship and free speech issues raised by Blue- Book foes. Current events
lend hope for former/ heighten prospect for latter — though we're still bearish on
investigations constantly bruited by drum-beating industry elements who can't seem
to get into their noggins that today's Congressional climate, echoing unusual rash
of criticism of radio, simply isn't conducive to legislation favorable to radio.
Court test looks like it will come in appeal of Bay State Beacon Inc.,
Brockton, Mass., AM applicant proposed for denial on grounds of alleged poor pro-
gramming promises under Blue Book procedure. Commission held its proposed program
Structure, setting up less than 5% for sustaining time, and all of that religious,
was "relatively inflexible and less well designed [than those of successful appli-
cant, Plymouth County Broadcasting Co.] to meet community needs." Beacon's attor-
neys, oft-appealing Segal, Smith & Hennessey, who won precedent-setting Ashbacker
case, indicated they would challenge FCC's jurisdiction in program matters, go to
court if necessary.
Wolverton resolution went to Rules Committee, is understood to have been
introduced to forestall select committee investigation (’usually fishing, punitive
and headline-hunting expeditions) which Rep. Clarence Brown (R, Ohio) and Rep. Wig-
glesworth (R, Mass.) were preparing to push. In remarks on introducing bill, the
New Jersey Congressman said there were- "considerable complaints" about FCC policies
and procedures but that inquiry "was not intended as witch hunt." Meanwhile, WBAL
court case (Vol. 3, No. 8) , which some regard as testing Blue Book, is due f or^hear-
ing soon; FCC asked for dismissal Friday on grounds WBAL hasn't been injured yet.
FM INDEPENDENT PAYS ITS WAY: Best success 'Story we've had from starveling FM
broadcasters since Houston's KOPY-FM last Summer reported selling $3, 000-plus worth
of time monthly (Vol. 2, No. 34) comes from FM-only Class A station KRCC, of Contra
Costa Broadcasting Co., Richmond, Cal. (pop. 23,000), owned by same interests as
Daily Independent (circ. 26,500), in San Francisco Bay area. It got on air last
Feb. 2, operates 3-10 p.m. daily under STA for 250 watts on 50-ft. pole pending
new 275-ft. tower. Secretary Warren Brown Jr. reports it now has 40 sponsors
(including Standard Oil, big Breuner furniture chain. Golden Glow beer, auto deal-
ers, bank, mortuary). Best of all, it has been "in black from operating standpoint
from day it opened."
More and more sponsorship reports are coming in of late, auguring good
prospects for FM as advertising medium. Rates usually aren't very high (pending
more sets and more "circulation") but advertisers are receptive. Washington's
WASH-FM, for example, now has 21 accounts, has 25% of its 6-hour day sold out;
KOZY, Kansas City, under same ownership, has 20% of its programs now sponsored.
Indicating advertising agency interest in medium is speech of McCann-Erickson' s Hugh
D. Lavery before Washington ad club last week. It's full of good stuff for FM com-
mercial hopefuls. Write FMA's Bill Bailey, Denrike Bldg., Washington, for copy.
CLl-AiJ CHANELS AHiu F i*l : When clear channel hearings resume June 2 for probable
"home stretch," Clear Channel Broadcasting Service's Col. Jack DeWitt is going to
present FM coverage findings that may not Sit well with FMers. Preliminary results,
CCBS officials say, indicate a much more restricted coverage than is claimed for
Maj . Armstrong's system — due to shadow effects and other technical limitations.
CCBS emphasis on FM grows out of CBS proposals to maintain AM Status quo. CBS
contended FM will eventually dominate (Vol. 2, No. 17) — which idea the high power
clear channel operators don't like even though most of them are in for FM. It also
stems from FCC Chairman Denny's remarks about FM covering "every inch of
every State from the Atlantic Ocean west to the ’middle of the Dakotas, Nebraska,
Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas... and the Pacific Coast states," made at NAB convention
last October (Vol. 2, No. 43) ; clear channels, regard rural coverage as their nat-
ural function. After clear channel hearings are concluded, CCBS director Victor
SholiS takes over general managership of WHAS, Louisville, succeeding Lee Coulson,
resigning because of ill health.
•- SIGHT AND SOUND : — — ■
FM receivers r.re being tested as soon as they arrive
at FCC labs, but not all have been received yet. Until then,
Commission isn’t making any move to change FM alloca-
tions due to interference (Vol. 3, No. 13). Staff discus-
sions of problem took place this week, to make certain
any change doesn’t toss FM from the frying pan into fire.
Death of CPA doesn’t mean end of VHP-1 limitations
* on non-housing construction (\ ol. 2, No. 13). Program,
with its bars to commercial construction, continues under
Housing Expediter Frank Creedon. One of last CPA re-
ports this week showed almost 2,000 “stop-orders” against
VHP-1 violators. But, both industry and government circles
agree construction limitations are being honored more in
the breach than in the observance.
Boon to TV camera work is seen if “Zoomar” lens
proves out. Developed by Dr. Frank G. Back, lens was
demonstrated to TV engineers in New York this week,
elicited enthusiastic comment on possibilities for sports and
spot news coverage as well as in studio. Principle is same
as zoom shot in motion pictures, permits change from long
shot to closeup or vice versa without moving camera.
FM Primer which trade papers have been reporting
planned by FMA is very very tentative. In fact, FMA has
made no commitments, nor has it any plans at present
along these lines. Martin Deane Wickett, ex-WTOP, Wash-
ington, is working up book, but he’s doing it on spec solely.
In new jobs: John J. Wild, ex-GE video equipment
sales, is now sales manager of Potter Instrument Co.
Flushing, N. Y., electronic control equipment. . . . Bill
Barlow, ex-WLW and WINS publicity chief, joins Bill
Bailey, former WLW colleague, to handle FMA publicity.
Circular polarization’s developer, Carl E. Smith, WHK,
Cleveland (Vol. 2, No. 45), is author of Applied Mathe-
matics for Radio and Communications Engineers, just off
presses of McGraw-Hill Book Co. ($3.50).
Paper on large-screen color TV will be delivered by
RCA’s Dr. Vladimir Zworykin before Franklin Institute in
Philadelphia April 30. Whether he will demonstrate talk
is not certain yet.
Latest of usually apperceptive CBS surveys, first such
post-war, says 35,900,000 U. S. homes (93%) now have
radio sets in use, an all-time peak; that 1 out of every 3
U. S. families has more than one radio; that 20.5% of
U. S. families bought a new radio in 1946; that 8,500,000
home sets were bought in 1946 for $330,000,000. EMA
1946 production figures (Vol. 3, No. 4), quite accurate,
reported more than 15,000,000 sets — but not all were mar-
keted last year and many were for export.
Big 54S-page 1947 Broadcasting Yearbook is off the
presses, somewhat belated because of printer problems,
reports all U. S. stations and networks did dollar volume
of $325,890,000 during 1946, up 7.2% from 1945. AM-FM-
TV dh’ectories in Yearbook cover up to Jan. 1, 1947. Radio
Daily's 1947 Radio Annual is also out, with similarly be-
lated station directories.
Only 11,700 TV sets were produced in January and
February (Vol. 3, No. 12), with March RMA figures not
yet available; only 160,000 sets planned for production
by big RCA this year (Vol. 2, No. 50) — but NBC’s TV sales
manager Reynolds B. Kraft told Chicago’s TV-promoting
Edison Electric Institute Wednesday that total 1947 video
sets will mount to 400,000.
FCC’s video engineering dept, lost 2 aides this week:
Bill Boehse, handling applications since his return from
military service last year, reassigned to Technical Infor-
mation Division; Miss Eva M. Judy, staff secretary, re-
signed to join George C. Davis, engineering consultant.
No replacement has yet been announced for Boehse; Miss
Judy’s successor is Miss Agnes B. Carr.
Class A layaway plan until July 1 of this year offi-
cially went into effect April 3 when Commission made
final its proposal to reserve Channels 297, 298, 299 and
300 (Vol. 3, No. 4). Comr. Jett repeated dissent.
Raytheon’s broadcast equipment manufacturing divi-
sion, now in Chicago, is being moved to home plant at
Waltham, Mass., where company (though not a TV manu-
facturer as yet) holds CP for TV channel No. 2 (Supple-
ment 18-B).
HARTIM CODE
AUTHORITATIVE NEWS SERVICE
Or THE
VISUAL BROADCASTING AND
FREQUENCY MODULATION
ARTS AND INDUSTRY
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BT
IUT AYE. N.W., WASH1HST0H 8. B.C. TELEPHONE M10H18AH 2020 • VOL 3, HO. 15
April 12, 1947
TV SET PRODUCTION: TV set makers are going to have- to hump themselves if they
expect to reach even the 400,000 figure promised by NBC's Reynolds B. Kraft last
week (Vol. 3, No. 14). First quarter reports froiq RMA show only 18,329 sets so
far, with March accounting for 6,639, up only 400 over February's production.
Breakdown for first 3 months of 1947 are as follows: table models, 15,498; con-
soles, 2,817. Of the consoles, 248 were TV-only projection sets, 21 direct-view
receivers with phonographs, 35 projection sets with phonographs. Converters
amounted to 14 during the same period. March production fell back slightly in
table models (5,346 vs 5,362 month before), showed jump in consoles (1,289 vs 881).
HD ONE LOSES IN FM PLAN: No one denies that FCC's proposed new FM allocation plan
(Supplement No. 51 herewith) is a pretty sweeping shuffle of FM channels. But,
Significantly, not one city loses even one channel. In fact, a number of cities
which required hearings because of channel scarcities, now have enough to go around .
So sure is FCC that no serious objections will be raised to proposed as-
signments, it v/ill permit stations now on the air to change to new proposed fre-
quencies even before changes are made permanent. Hearings on proposals will be
held before en banc Commission May 8 and 9. Deadline for appearances <is May 1.
Reaction of FMers to new plan is summed up in these words by one engineer
(not FCC) : If there was an interference problem. Commission Sure took care- of it.
FM has done in one year what it took A M 25 years to accomplish — proper separa-
tion. Another FM technician put it this way: Commission has helped the situation
greatly. The proposed allocations are a big improvement. It's <a good job.
Essence of Commission's plan is this: Class B stations in same area will
be separated by at, least 4 channels (800 kc). Where necessary. Class A stations
will be separated from nearby Class B stations by at least 2 channels (400 kc).
The old Class A plan (assigning the highest 20 frequencies in FM band on a mileage
Separation basis) is out. New Class A channels, as well as new Class B channels,
are enumerated in Supplement No. 51-A herewith.
Commission threw all 80 commercial FM .channels into one pot (lowest 20 -are
Still reserved for non-commercial educational use) and interlaced them throughout
the country on a 4-channel, minimum separation basis. Previously, FCC had worked
on a "block" basis, assigning groups of channels to same areas. New plan means
listeners will find FM signals (including Class A's) all along dial of a receiver ,
not just in one Small portion.
Only drawback, which Commission admits, is that in some instances Class B
Station signal will be blanketed by Class A signal in locations close to lesser-
powered outet. FCC feels, it said, that listener will still be able to receive
Signals from other Class iB stations in his area — more than 2 channels removed
from Class A wavelength.
Class A stations will be allocated as are Class B in new plan. Engineering
for both will be Similar. FCC feels allocation change won’t restrict Class A
Copyright 19-17 by Radio News Bureau
growth. Plan does not affect Class A reservation plan, except that new frequen-
cies are set aside. Class B reservation plan also remains in effect.
Stations now on the air — licensed or operating under STAs — will, if
plan is finalised, have to change frequencies (except in instances where their
channel remains assigned to same city). Cost of change shouldn't be too great.
Commission engineers said, since it will be mainly change of crystals and monitors.
Most antennas are broad-band, they pointed out, thus won't require much revamping.
Channel scarce cities, involved in hearings, which now will have exactly
enough channels for all applicants are: Springfield, Mass. ; Indianapolis, Ind. ;
Atlanta, Ga. ; Mansfield, 0. ; San Diego, Cal. ; Providence, JR. I. ; Dayton-Springf ield,
0. ; Wilmington, Del. Cities still tight are: Boston, Baltimore (one added, still
not enough). New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Bridgeport.
FEEHSDSNTS FOB FJfl-TV OVERLAPS: FCC quit fiddling around this week and sawed off
biggest chunk of FM application backlog in months — 36 conditionals, 1 CP (Sup-
plement No. 50-A herewith). More notable than number of grants, however, was fact
that Commission made an exploratory dent in that knotty cord of hardwood — the
overlap cases. Grants were accompanied by FCC expression of overlap policy (Comr.
Durr excepted) very touch in line with multiple owners' logic (Vol. 3, Nos. 5 and 9)
which asked individual, rather than blanket, consideration. Examination of grants
Shows Commission's thinking. For example, grant in Binghamton, N.Y. , to Gannett
interests involved quite substantial ownership and 1,000 uv/m overlap. But appli-
cations of Taft family in Seattle and Everett, Wash., were a little too strong for
FCC taste; 1,000 uv/m contour of Everett falls entirely within 1,000 uv/m of Seat-
tle. They were set for hearing, as was maze of Steinmans' Pennsylvania overlaps.
Further contributing to number of grants this week, and more to come, is the way
delinquent program analyses have come in after FCC's strong letter threatening dis-
missal (Vol. 3, No. 11). TV's only overlap question, Crosley in Dayton, was also '
resolved this week with grant of following facilities: Channel No. 5 (76-82 me);
visual power, 50 kw ; aural, 25 kw ; antenna, 506 ft.
HOT PI10T8SBAPHY FOB TV: Another step in bringing to TV audiences spot news in a
hurry was demonstrated Tuesday by ABC in Philadelphia.- Development, by Eastman
Kodak, is special process that permits film to be developed at. rate of 45 seconds
per frame (compared to normal 40 minutes). Speed is accomplished by raising de-
velopment solutions to 125 degrees F, and using specially treated heat-resistant
film. Project is outgrowth of Kodak's wartime high speed processing equipment and
is still considered experimental. Newsmen saw 16 mm film on TV sets telecast over
Philco's WPTZ about 1 hour after shots had been made from plane over Atlantic City.
Potentials for large-screen, theater TV were apparent.
FM's YEAH — 1948: Best summation of RMA-FMA meeting Tuesday on FM set production for
this year (2,665,949) was pithy comment of WINX's Wayne Coy, "It isn't as good as
I had hoped for, but it's better than I feared." All sides agreed meeting cleared
air, set up working relation between FM broadcasters and set makers (committees
will meet” again latter May or early June), indicated 1948 would be FM's year.
FMerS generally expressed satisfaction with results.
The 2,665,949 figure was based on poll of 72 RMA members (including all
major set manufacturers) and breaks down as follows: table models — 43,000 to sell
for less than §50, 810,720 to sell for more than §50; consoles — 1,595,729 with
phonographs, 70,500 without phonographs. FM-only sets — 146,000.
A more conservative estimate, preferred by RMA committee, was based on a
23^ increment each month over preceding month — taking increases from October
1946 through February 1947 as a guide. This would mean a total of 2,100,000 FM
sets for 1947, which works out to 425,000 in December (35% of total production).
At~t’ne December rate, that would mean 5,100,000 sets-with-FM for 1948 — a sizeable
chunk! RMA President Cosgrove, (Crosley v.p. ) whose company is due to break FM
promot ' on soon, pointed out that ratio of FM production to, total set production ^
would be even higher than the 35% figure — up to 54% of total sets if auto radios,
portables, battery-operated sets, and receivers made for export were deducted from
the overall total. Conservative-minded RMA put 1947 FM output at 1,800,000 to
2,100,000 — production difficulties, labor problems being what they are today.
What impressed FMers most were manufacturers' troubles with components —
condensers, mainly, and v/ood for cabinets. Seen as significant, also, were these
factors: While total Set production is decreasing (1,564,171 for January,
1,379,966 for February, 1,358,399 for March) FM set production is increasing
(51,318 for January, 53,594 for February, 67,364 for March.) Also, even though only
some 2,000,000-plus FM sets would be produced in, 1947, they would naturally be
shipped .into FM markets and thus amount to more per market than if they had to be
Scattered over the whole country.
Differences of opinion were expressed on these points: (1) Manufacturers
Strongly objected to "If your set doesn't have FM, it's obviously obsolete" type-
of FM promotion. They claimed it a dangerous trend, alienating dealers who still
have AM sets to sell, unfair to sections of country with only AM service. FMA
conferrees assured set-makers Association's official promotion was mora on positive
side, was keyed to milder "Be sure your radio has FM" idea. (2) FMers strongly
resented implications that low-power, interim operation of FM stations meant bad
reception. RMA had implied that fewer sets meant ,fewer dissatisfied listeners for
the present. FMA's Dillard (WASH, Washington), pointed out that some stations
would Still be operating with 250 watts, 1 kw, or 3 kw even when they were on full
power. (3) FMers very definitely objected to references to poor programming as
excuse for lack of sets. Both sides agreed cheap iFM sets were not the answer.
o. j. 4.
T T *r T
Total FM production for first 3 months of 1947 was 172,276 (out of overall
set total of 4,302,536). Table models amounted to 21,401 — with 4,982 having
record players. Consoles totaled 150,875, all of which included phonographs except
7,057. FM consoles with phonographs were about half the number of equivalent
AM-only sets in that line. March FM output breaks down as follows: table models,
8,429 (half of them with phonographs) ; consoles, 58,935 (2,685 without phonographs).
AVIATION INTERFERENCE, TV DIVISION: No sooner had problem of FM's interference with
aviation landing system been adjusted (Vol. 3, No. 13), than TV becomes whipping
boy of the airmen. Recent reports indicate airplane receivers (designed for high
gain on weak signals) were being fouled up with interference from second harmonic
of TV transmitters on Channels 2 and 3. TV engineers aren’t worrying too much about
problem, feel stations can suppress harmonic pretty well; careful spotting of TV
antennas should help too. Further, new air radio equipment will overcome problem.
New York FM stations, reassigned because of interference with landing sys-
tem at LaGuardia Airport, probably won't have to change over, now that new FM alloca-
tion plan is out. New channels for city were chosen to avoid interference with ILS.
m POST-WAR m LICENSES YET: We've been waiting about a year and a half to see the
first post-war FM licensee, but most grantees are still a long ways from being
licensed , even though 200 (including pre-war) are on the air. Very few are any-
where near the powers specified in their CPs. Further, VHP-1 is still in existence
and is still a major factor in delaying construction, although CPA did make an
exception last week to KEEN, San Jose, and KXOB Sacramento. Thus, the very heavy
influx of requests for, and grants of, extensions of completion dates will no
doubt continue; 32 were granted in past two weeks alone.
Nevertheless, 10 CP holders have filed applications for licenses. They
are: KPFM, Portland, Ore. ; WFRO, Fremont, 0. ; KOCS-FM, Ontario, Cal. ; KRCS-FM, Seat-
tle, Wash. ; WINC-FM, Winchester, Va. ; WIBW-FM, Topeka, Kan. ; WFAH, Alliance, 0. ;
KRJM, Santa Maria, Cal. ; KWLK-FM, Longview, Wash. ; WFBL-FM, Syracuse, N.Y. Some
of these have been before the FCC for months. Delay in licensing, says Commission,
is partially due to allocation uncertainty, partially to huge FCC work load.
Cbances are that ranks of applicants for licenses will grow pretty slowly in view
of K-V’A's 1947 transmitter production estimate given out this week. RMA sees 710
units out by( end of the year — 90 of 250 watts, 230 of 1 kw, 205 of 3 kw, 185 of
10 kw. However, RMA qualifies figures on 3 and 10 kw deliveries by Saying they’ll
consist largely of 250 watt or 1 kw basic units, with amplifiers and rectifiers
necessary for full power scheduled for late 1948. Further, there's no glut of
multi-bay antennas either — just as important as high-powered transmitters to
achieve full power.
PLM BALL— ON TV: Scratch a baseball fan and you find a TV fan. If he isn’t, just
Show him one video home run and he's yours. Take the Washington Senators' ov/n Clark
Griffith. A year ago we asked him about TV. Said he, "Baseball on television?
Can't see it." Well, just tune in Monday in Washington or New York and watch Presi-
dent Truman throw out the first ball at Griffith Stadium.. From then on, if you're
in a TV town, you've got a Season ticket.
Season's opening finds following lineup: New York — WNBT, Giants; WABD,
Yankees; WCBS-TV, Dodgers. Washington — WTTG, Senators. Chicago — WBKB , Cubs.
KSD-TV, St. Louis and WWDT, Detroit can be expected to carry local games before
season's end. KTLA, Los Angeles, carried coast league opening April 1, plans cov-
erage of both LA teams (Angels and Stars).
n- S5GHT AMD SOUND : ■
Future of Continental Network (Vol. 3, No. 12) will
be discussed at Albany next week during FMA regional
meeting. Thing has been growing by leaps and bounds.
This Wednesday’s AAF show was carried by these sta-
tions: W2XMN and W2XEA, New York area, by landline
from WASH, Washington, the originating station; WBCA,
Schenectady, by radio relay from New York; WIBX, Utica,
by radio relay from Schenectady; WSYR-FM, Rochester,
by radio relay from Utica; WBEN-FM, Buffalo, by land
line from Rochester; WWHG, Hornell, N. Y., by radio
relay from Rochester; WDRC-FM, Hartford, by radio relay
from New York.
Two additional FM sets are expected to go into pro-
duction within 30 days, Bendix’s J. T. Dalton announced
this week, but no details were given. Production of FM
sets has doubled and the company is now working two
shifts each on its FM assembly lines. Bendix’s received
FM shot-in-arm when answers to its questionnaire to FM
stations came in.
Confirmation of Carl Haverlin for BMI presidency
means NAB’s Justin Miller, who has been acting BMI
head, will probably become chairman of the board of
directors. Sydney M. Kaye, BMI executive v.p. and gen-
eral counsel (who’s been carrying the BMI operating load),
will probably become vice chairman. Haverlin, MBS v.p.
in charge of station relations, was one of BMI’s founders,
member of board since 1940.
Consultants Paul de Mars and Thomas Wright on FM
coverage and FCC’s Edward Allen on “bursts” are included
in 9C-paper session May 5-7 when IRE and International
Scientific Radio Union hold joint meeting in New Interior
Department Auditorium, Washington.
Threatened radio writers strike, set for May 18, can
really get serious if musicians, performers and technicians
respect picket lines. Radio Writers Guild, which says it
represents 85 ft of key city writers, wants union shop, li-
censing agreements instead of outright sale for scripts, etc.
Clinic on FM for distributors and dealers is scheduled
by Kansas City Electrical Association April 29. All dis-
tributors plan to display FM sets and technical equipment
for servicemen. Later, KC association plans similar meet-
ing on fax and TV.
WOKO case, as far as WOKO is concerned, is over;
FCC told it to close up shop by Aug. 31. But Van Curler
Broadcasting Corp., which anticipated WOKO denial, filed
for its facilities and has been through hearing, must wait
until June 1 for others to file in competition and again
be heard with them. Interesting sidelights are opinions
of Comrs. Jett and Durr. Former feels purged WOKO
corporate setup should be allowed to compete with Van
Curler; latter says Van Curler should be acted on now
upon its merits.
Chapters on Theater TV and TV Rights are most in-
formative— for TVers — in “Here Is Television” by New
York consultant and director Thomas Hutchinson (Hast-
ings House, $4), just out. Trouble with most books on
TV today is they all follow same general pattern — what
is video, how does it work, what’s its future? Still best
for those in the field are Capt, Bill Eddy’s “Television, the
Eyes of Tomorrow,” and Judy Dupuy’s “Television Show
Business.”
“Stratovision” is trademark for Westinghouse’s new
FM receiver antenna, now being delivered. Antenna fea-
tures swivel mounting bracket adaptable to flat or peaked
roofs or walls, aluminum mast and elements, retails at
$9.95. Design resulted from field tests of 30 models of 3
basic types.
GE’s transmitter assembly lines begin moving into
company’s 825,000,000 Syracuse Electronics Park Monday,
full production being expected in new location by May 30.
Company also said FM and TV production will be among
earliest to stem from new 155-acre plant.
TV film developments — both 8 mm and 16 mm — are
scheduled for top billing at April 21-25 convention of
Society of Motion Picture Engineers at Drake Hotel,
Chicago.
Signs of the FM-TV times: With RCA’s Washington
T-Day breaking this weekend, (Vol. 3, No. 14), 2 local set
dealers are plugging TV for all its worth — over FM sta-
tion WASH (Commercial Radio Equipment Co.).
CBC has backtracked on its proposal to make private
Canadian broadcasters replace AM facilities with FM on
3-year notice after 1955 (Vol. 3, No. 2); current CBC-CAB
battle is over former’s proposal to limit FM to. 20 kw-500 ft.
'TV CARAVAN' BIGGEST PROMOTION YET: Bigge st local advertisers on TV, when it really
gets going commercially, will surely be department stores. They've already evinced
considerable interest in sight-sound, vis., last year's intra-store demonstrations
at Gimbels-Philadelphia and Wanamakers-New York; also fact that 2 big stores
(Maison Blanche-New Orleans and William H. Block-Indianapolis) hold permits to
build their own TV stations.
Hence decision of huge Allied Stores Corp, store chain to send out Sam Cuff
and Lou Sposa, ex-DuMont manager-production team, on cross country junket with TV
demonstration equipment, calling it "Television Caravan," is not particularly sur-
prising. Imposing is tour's list of "sponsors" who will televise their wares and
Services: B.V.D, Hoover, Hickok, Koroseal, Sherwin-Williams, U.S. Rubber, Westing-
house, plus the magazines House Beautiful, Charm and Pic. RCA is setting up equip-
ment, which costs some §100,000, will be carried along with crew of 10 in 6-car
"circus" caravan, the cars built specially by Chevrolet.
"Television Caravan" v/ill stop in Allied stores in 22 cities, set up store’
Studio with off-the-line receivers throughout stores, in windows, etc. ; then staff
will produce local live shows, run off films, etc. It's all a camera chain job,
no off-the-air shows since only one city on itinerary as yet has TV station.
Allied wants to "educate store personnel" in medium; RCA wants to excite interest
in equipment, perhaps impel more TV station applications (and grab off transmitter,
receiver business) since all cities visited still have channels available. [For
full itinerary, see item on page 4.]
CRACKDOWN ON PROCRASTINATORS: Squatters, sit-downers, tail-riders, hip-pocket
broadcasters — that's what the more zealous FMers are now calling the brethren
who deliberately employ every stalling artifice to delay getting on the air. Also
mindful of stalling tactics, FCC attorneys and engineers are considering recommen-
dations to full Commission to do something about them. But first they want to be
sure inactive grantees' excuses aren't bona fide — that they really aren't meeting
construction difficulties, equipment delays, CAA obstacles — the usual excuses.
FMA'S ebullient President Roy Hofheinz, at Albany meeting Monday,' lashed
out at laggards, called them tail-riders waiting to climb bandwagon after others
risk financial necks to put FM over. He Suggested FCC give grantees 30-60 days to
get on air, revoke grants if it finds they're simply sitting on frequency. He
coined phrase "hip-pocket broadcasters."
Commission engineers already are prodding recalcitrants to apply for STAs,
armed with returns to questionnaire sent out with CPs, and say they're getting good
results, as witness the 160 STAs reported in our latest FM Directory (Supplement
Nos. 50, 50 A, 50B ) . FCC policy was made clear by FCC Chairman Denny's statement at
FMA organization meeting (Vol. 3, No. 2) — that Commission didn't propose to let
anyone Squat Silently on frequency once granted. Thinking for future includes
possibility (1) that completion dates should be extended on request for only 3 or 4
months instead of 6 months as now, (2) that completion dates should be extended on
request only until next October or November, then review whole situation, get tough.
Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau
5 F n 'WINNERS' IN HEW YORK RACE: You haven't heard the end of Tuesday's proposed
decisions on New York area FM cases, in v/hich FCC's choices of 5 winners in field
of 17 are- made known. Happy indeed were the victorious "quintuplets" — but as
one attorney remarked: "The stakes are too high, particularly for the 4 rejected
AMers who see the FM handwriting on the wall, to think there won't be a fight over
this." Next step is filing of legal exceptions, then oral arguments, then final
decision, then courts if anyone wants to appeal.
FCC's choices were: WMCA Inc. ; ABC (WJZ) ; Unity (ILGWU) ; North Jersey
(WPAT) ; New York News. Proposed for denials were: WBNX, WEVD, WLIB (N.Y. Post),
WBYN (Newark News), present AMers ; and Frequency Broadcasting Corp. (Thos. Murray,
nifgr) ; Bernard Fein (radio engineer) ; Peoples Radio Foundation (Communist-tinged) ;
Metropolitan Broadcasting (Ohrbach Stores); National Maritime Union; Amalgamated
Broadcasting (Clothing Workers Union) ; Radio Projects Inc. (Newhouse newspapers) ;
Methodist Church. For further data on these applications, see FM Directory (Sup-
plement No. 50).
Just about every criterion the FCC employs was applied in 29-page decisi o n
~~ programming, experience, finances, staffing. Comrs. Walker (ill) and Webster
(new) didn't participate. There were lots of dissents: Jett favoring WLIB instead
of Unity, concurring on other 4; Durr favoring Amalgamated instead of N.Y. News;
Denny concurring on ABC, WMCA and WPAT but favoring WLIB and another to New Jersey
in lieu of Unity and N.Y. News.
There's still chance for rejectees to go after the 5 New York channel s
"frozen" until July I under reservation plan (Vol. 2, No. 29) inasmuch as veterans
don't seem to be rushing for them. Also, there's a possible discrepancy in the
decision, which legalists will surely make most of, in fact that old wartime CP
of WAAW, Newark, held by Bremer Broadcasting Corp., expired March 1. According to
FCC records, application for extension wasn't received until March 13. Rules pro-
vide expired CPs be surrendered, and FCC is manifesting increasing impatience with
those who merely Squat on channels (see story in this issue). So another channel
may be thrown in hat, and Bremer required to compete for it with everyone else.
Comr. Durr's stern "Blue Book conscience" showed Strong recrudescence this
week, too, when he issued his dissent in proposed decision on Chicago FM (Vol. 3,
No. 11). He said he feels 3 more besides WAIT should be denied (WMAQ, WAAF, WGES)
because of overcommercialization, etc. He Sharply admonishes his confreres: "It is
pertinent to ask whether the statements which the Commission itself has made as
to the part it proposes to play in the improvement of broadcast program services
are likewise to remain in the realm of unfulfilled promises."
N.Y. DECISION BRINGS TVs TO c4: Four TV grants proposed Tuesday for New York area c om-
plete channel quota there, assure it total of 7 stations, bring TV box-score for
U.S. to date to: 6 commercial licensees now operating regularly in 4 cities; 4 CP.
holders operating more or less regularly under STAs in 4 cities ; 50 CPs outstanding
in 35 cities, plus this week's 3 more to New York and 1 to Newark; 9 applications
pending, of which 5 are Stymied by Paramount -DuMont stock ownership (Vol. 3, No. 1,
3) and 2 Stymied pending decision on Don Lee's AM renewal case.
Accordingly, we have revised our TV Directory, bringing it up to date here-
with as Supplement No. 18-C. You can discard Supplement No. 18-B.
New York "proposed decision" is virtually final, though may be fought by
counsel for rejected Debs Memorial Foundation (WEVD) who have 20 days to file ex-
ceptions. Grants went to ABC (WJZ), Bamberger (WOR) , New York Daily Nev/s, Bremer
of Newark (WAAT) . Comr. Durr voted for Debs Memorial instead of Patterson-McCor-
mick Daily News, citing American Jewish Congress' charges of newspaper's editorial
bias; but majority felt such charges didn't belong in case. AJC fuss actually had
effect of holding up grants unusual length of time (hearings started last June),
irked most bystanders including FCC members, probably militated in favor of Daily
Nev/s (v/hich also won FM grant). Formal grounds for denying WEVD were given as (1)
its financing arrangements with newspaper Jewish Daily Forward, and (2) alleged
overcommercialization and lack of over-all program balance.
THEY LIKE FM REALLOCATION: Reaction to FCC's proposed FM channel reallocation (Vol.
3, No. 15) continues very favorable. CP-holders, particularly those with STAs, are
being urged by Commission engineers to request channel nearest their present one if
present one* is not included in new plan. This is in line with policy of treating
assignments as if new plan were already in effect. So far, FCC has received no
complaints that plan necessitates costly reconstruction. CPs being granted now,
however, are not being assigned channels, pending finality of reallocation.
FCC has also decided to hold off decisions (until new plan is final) on
hearings occasioned by channel scarcity, where new plan would provide enough to
go around. Of course, by time reallocation is officially in effect, more applicants
may file in those cities. And reserved channels will probably be available after
June 30, too. It can become complicated, v/hat with proposed decisions and oral
arguments occurring about same time. Ordinary grants, however, continue at high
rate: 17 conditionals, 5 CPs this week (Supplement No 50-B herewith). FCC's "get
tough" policy regarding program analyses, by the way, is really in effect. Recent
applications from Huntsville, Ala. and Martinsville, Va. were shot back because
program analysis data was omitted.
PROPOSED TV ANTENNA BANS: Dangerous precedents for TV are seen in this week's New'
York and Washington activities relating to receiving antenna and transmitting
towers. In New York, Real Estate Board turned down TBA plan to permit erection of
4 or 5 dipoles on apartment house roofs, usable by 25-30 families, claiming un-
sightliness, hazard, landlord liability — even though TBA Scheme would absolve
landlords by signed agreements. Long-range TBA plan envisages master antenna sys-
tem (not yet ready) ; meanwhile, association will fight turndown. In Washington,
Congress subcommittee held hearings on H.R. 2984, introduced by Rep. Simpson
(111.), to forbid TV (and FM) towers in residential areas. Citizen groups are back-
ing the bill, claiming towers are eyesores, hazardous, lowa-r property values. Con-
sulting engineer Worthington Lent, for 4 local TV grantees, explained technical
problem; appearing in opposition also were FCC's Plummer, CAA's Lee, TBA' s Poppele,
NAB'S Petty. Not only are existing projects involved, including 3 sites already
chosen, but bad example for other cities is feared if bill gets anywhere (doubtful).
AM-FM TABLE MODEL FOB $50? Next wrinkle in much-demanded FM table sets may be an
AM-FM model, to sell for $50 retail. Gerald Mayer, of Washington law firm of Mayer,
Bannerman & Rigby, representing radio parts manufacturers (also associated with
Radio Consultants, Inc.), reports he is acting for a newly organized distributing
company in interesting private brand manufacturers in such a set. He will reveal
no more for present. Meanwhile, Washington Attorney Bill Koplovitz, whose Elec-
tronics Inc. is backing an FM-only receiver (Vol. 3, No. 14), reports orders so far
from more than 50 broadcasters. But he's not signing contracts until total pro-
duction needed is ascertained. Airadio, Stamford, Conn., which will manufacture
under trade name "Minuette," showed model at Albany FMA meeting Monday, reported it
was now setting up production line.
NETWORKS VIA RELAYS NEKT IN FM: Keynote of FMA' s first regional meeting (at Albany
Monday) was that FM's next major step is networking. And Maj . Armstrong and FMA's
Everett Dillard, mainsprings of Continental Network (Vol. 3, No. 12, 13), agree
that radio relay, which AM cannot utilize, is the answer. It's cheap (only about
§200 for equipment) ; dependable (WBCA, Schenectady, has been picking up Armstrong's1
Alpine signals 130 miles away for 4 years without single failure), simple (Dillard
said whole idea for Continental Network took only 10 days from germination to com-
pletion). Continuation of cooperative network is now under study, and WBCA's
Leonard Asch (elected regional chairman) also announced incorporation soon of Lib-
erty Network Inc. (Vol. 3, No. 13).
Keen interest in FM was manifested by big attendance at Albany (185 regis-
trants). Relay demonstration, Yonkers-to-Alpine-to-Schenectady , where signal was
rebroadcast and received at Albany meeting, was genuinely inspiring. Tone and
clarity of reception was top flight (REL tuner used with Altec-Lansing big speaker).
Other highlights of meeting : Zenith's H. C. Bonfig, whose company made one-third of
all EM sets in 1946 (year's total reported by RMA, 184,485), said FM consoles will
dominate market rest of this year at least, which means stress should be laid on
high quality market. Even a business recession, he said, while meaning tighter
buying, might work to advantage of FM in that it would offer the plus-value needed
to attract had-to-sell purchasers. And Jack Gould, New York Times' radio editor,
called FM "broadcasting's second generation," said second generation is always
more progressive than first.
SIGHT AND SOUND v:
This is itinerary of “TV Caravan” (described in story
on page 1), with stores and stopover dates: Reading, I’a.,
Pomeroy’s, May 20-24; Easton, Pa., Laubach’s, May 27-29;
Jamaica, N. Y., Gertz, June 3-7; Boston, Jordan Marsh,
June 10-14; Syracuse, Dey Bros., June 18-21; Paterson,
N. J., Quackenbush, June 25-28; Harrisburg, Pomeroy’s
July 1-3; Grand Rapids, Mich., Herpolsheimers, July 8-12;
Columbus, Morehouse Martens, July 16-19; Cincinnati,
Rollman’s July 22-24; Tampa, Maas Bros., July 31- Aug'. 2;
Lake Charles, La., Mullers, Aug. 7-9; San Antonio, Joske’s,
Aug. 13-16; Dallas, Titche-Goettinger, Aug. 19-22; Water-
loo, la., Black’s, Aug. 28-30; St. Paul, Golden Rule, Sept.
2-5; Boise, Idaho, Anderson’s, Sept. 11-13; Seattle, Bon
Marche, Sept. 17-20; Spokane, Andei-son’s, Sept. 23-26;
Great Falls, Mont., The Paris, Sept. 29-Oct. 1; Minneapolis,
Donaldson’s, Oct. 8-11; Akron, Polsky’s, Oct. 15-18.
Into new jobs: Ex-Secy of State Jimmy Byrnes joins
old-line Washington law firm of Hogan & Hartson, very
active in radio (Duke Patrick, Karl Smith, Lester Cohen) ;
Lawrence Phillips, executive v.p. of USO Camp Shows, ex-
president of Valspar Corp., joins DuMont as management
consultant; Wayne Coy, assistant publisher, Washington
Post, and an NAB board member, drops newspaper duties
to devote full time to its WINX and WINX-FM; Ken
Stowman, Manager Roger Clipp’s aide at WFIL and WFIL-
FM ( Philadelphia Inquirer), takes over fulltime duties as
its television director, says construction of TV station
starts this summer; Virgil E. Trouant, upped to manager,
broadcast and industrial section, RCA Engineering Pro-
ducts Dept., Camden.
Subpoena for Petrillo, issued this week by House Labor
Committee, has no date since Committee chairman Fred A.
Hartley Jr. (Rep., N. J.) doesn’t want music czar until af-
ter Supreme Court rules on Lea Act (Vol. 3, No. 10). Sub-
poena was issued, it’s said, to keep James Caesar in this
country (he was reported getting ready to take boat trip).
Meanwhile, some relaxation of duplication ban is occuring
— Elliott Sanger, WQXR-WQXQ, New York, reporting this
week he was duplicating live music without payment of
second fee. It’s also reported Tom Tinsley’s WITH-FM,
Baltimore, is carrying live AM musical programs with no
extra levy.
All-day FCC meetings begin April 28 to pass on
Processing Line 2 AM cases before May 1 deadline. Com-
mission feels all will be decided (either granted or set for
hearings) by May 1. Line 1 cases — those involving less
complex engineering study — are expected to be cleared by
June, although May 1 will see FCC action on cases filed
as of mid- January. Commission staff is braced for ava-
lanche of amendments — by applicants seeking to avoid
hearings— and also expects number of new applications by
local groups who missed out filing before Feb. 7 cutoff date.
Highest powered FM in land is now KSTP-FM, St.
Paul, which this week got FCC okay for 545 kw. Highest
previously was WMC-FM. Memphis, with 515 kw (Vol. 3,
No. 9). St. Paul station previously had 320 kw.
Proposed new FM allocations (Supplement No. 51)
look like they’ll render obsolete our sets of FM Channel
Maps (Supplement No. 21 A) published just a year ago.
because they’re so expensive and demand limited, we don’t
propose to reissue these maps. We still have supply of
old sets (60 channel maps, 16x10 inches, plus 10 blanks)
which we’ll furnish you at about cost of handling and
mailing — $1.50 per set.
Philco’s agency, Hutchins Advertising Co., calls us to
task — quite justifiably — for our inadvertent failure to
include WPTZ’s schedule of Phillies and Athletics home
games (“by far the largest continuous schedule of ball
games of any TV station”) in our item last week about
TV’s baseball coverage. What’s more, WPTZ has the
games sponsored — on alternate days by Atlantic Refining
Co. and Philco Distributors, Inc.
Results of Washington’s T-day (Vol. 3, No. 14): RCA
5C0-plus sets sold; GE, whose Model No. 801 has already
gone up in price to $625 (from $549.50), most of local
quota of 100 sets ordered; DuMont, half dozen sets sold.
RCA will do repeat in Washington when NBC’s WNBW
goes on air in early June.
• TV set’census by cities was prime interest at New York
Television Institute (sponsored by Televiser Magazine)
this week. WBKB’s Bill Eddy reported 2,071 in Chicago;
WPTZ’s Ernest Walling, 4,000 in Philadelphia; WWDT’s
Harry Bannister, 2,000 in Detroit. They were only speak-
ers to report on number of sets in their areas. Attendants
at 2-day meet heard generally optimistic reports on status
and future of TV, were warned (by RCA’s Joseph B. Elli-
ott, RKO’s Ralph Austrian, Caples Co.’s David P. Lews)
programs must improve or TV will never really click.
How record business bolsters CBS income level (Vol.
3, No. 13), is further disclosed in 1947 first-quarter income
statement. For 13 weeks ending March 29, gross income
was $26,334,922, net income after taxes $1,498,151. This
compares with $23,276,004 and $1,462,229 during same
period 1946. Of 1947 net income, $934,595 (54c per share)
was realized from broadcasting operations, $563,556 (33c
per share) from record manufacturing. These compare
with $1,214,075 (71c per share) from broadcasting, $248,154
(14c per share) from record manufacturing, during same
1946 period. So, actually, broadcasting net income was
down considerably.
GE’s Russ David, FM transmitter sales, reported at
FMA Albany meeting Monday his company has already
shipped 122 FM transmitters — 52 of 250 watts, 15 of 1 kw,
55 of 3 kw. This summer first 10 kw’s will be delivered,
but new customers must wait 4-6 months. Still a major
project, he said, is 50 kw; first GE model is due in about
2 months, regular shipments in late 1947, early 1948. Stu-
dio equipment (microphones, speech input, turntables) is
3-4 months away.
-Ringling-Barnum & Bailey Circus bowed to TV, au-
thorized April 19 telecast by WCBS-TV from Madison
Square Garden as part of Ford sports sponsorship.
AM DIRECTORY NEARLY HEADY: Report on 'Our AM Directory: It'S almost ready for
the printer, should be in mails to subscribers within next 10 days, will be up-to-
the minute as of May 1 on (1) all U.S., Canadian, Mexican, Cuban and other North
American standard broadcasting stations, listed separately by States, Frequencies,
Call Letters; (2) all pending applications for new or changed AM facilities, also
separately listed by States and frequencies. Subscribers will get weekly addenda
sheets, reporting additions and changes, as part of this added service — which
will cost them nothing extra. But extra copies of the- AM Directory, about 100
pages punched for loose-leaf binding, will cost them $10 each. The AM Directory
and addenda service are available only to regular subscribers.
PRODDING THE MOVIE MOGULS: Movie industry’s technicians’ think it's time their' big
bosses wake up to TV, get into video swim now against day when (1) home TV on vast
scale offers competition to boxoffice, (2) TV transmission to theaters is prac-
ticable and feasible. Society of Motion Picture: Engineers, at Chicago convention
this week, instructed its TV chairman Paul J. Larsen to make plans v/ith top level
movie executives for an industry-wide TV committee. Radio Engineer Larsen, also
appointed IRE video committee chairman this week, expects okay from Eric Johnston's
Motion Picture Producers Assn after its May 9 board meeting, also from Donald Nel-
son's Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers.
Now a Johns Hopkins researcher at its Silver Spring, Md. labs, Larsen has
been watching TV from vantage point of nearby Washington, is prime mover in demand
on FCC for theater TV channels (Vol. 3, No. 6). He thinks complete theater TV
(spot news, sports, possibly even transmission of feature films) can be demonstrated
in 2 years, be on national commercial basis in 5-10 years. He's one of few "voices
in wilderness" (Paramount's Paul Raibourn, RKO'S Ralph Auistrian, 20th Century's
Earl Sponable are others) trying to persuade movie moguls they’re .overlooking good
bet in TV. Moviemen note : RCA is demonstrating to newsmen its large-screen theater
type color TV for first time at Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, next Wednesday.
NETWORK TV VIA COAX AND/OR RELAYS: AT&T is naturally cagey about making promises
for its coaxial, and TV radio relays over long distances are still in development
Stage — but it's pretty certain that several more TV cities will be linked by
coaxial by time of Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, June' 20, 1948.
That and the Democratic presidential nominating convention (time and place not yet
selected) Should afford greatest of all possible telecast events from point of
view of public interest. There wasn't anything of kind at both conventions in
Chicago in 1944 (due to war stoppage of TV) but- NBC's video coverage via radio
relay from GOP (Willkie) convention in Philadelphia in 1940 is recalled as land-
mark of TV history.
Fact that Philadelphia is on New York-to-Washington coaxial, thus assuring
TV network pickups, actually helped influence selection of that city by GOP. It
may likewise influence Democrats — though they're talking Chicago which has one
Copyright 1947 by Radio News Bureau
TV station now, should have several by then, but probably won't have any coax link
with East (though possibly GE-Globe- Wireless relay will be in operation in time).
As Eastern seaboard coaxial stands now, Richmond-Charlotte extensions are
operating in telephone service, can easily be equalized for TV — but there's only
one Richmond Station projected as yet, none in Charlotte. Pittsburgh extension
Should be ready by mid-1948 to serve its stations. Boston is not on coaxial but
is due to be linked by radio relay, AT&T tests scheduled to start this spring
having been halted by strike ; it should have TV network service by summer of 1948.
As for other extensions, AT&T long lines manager L. G. V/oodford told TBA
convention last fall that southern transcontinental route through Washington, At-
lanta, Dallas, El Paso and on to Los Angeles should be ready by end of 1947, as
well as an extension from Charlotte to Miami. On other hand, it looks like "end
of 1948" before these routes can be linked up with such cities as Cleveland, Cin-
cinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis — all with exist-
ing or projected video outlets, listed in our TV Directory (Supplement No. 18-C).
Mere fact of coaxial's existence does not insure network service — for TV
programs via coaxial have been tested with success (but some loss in definition)
only on 500-mile New York-Washington loop-backs thus far. There's a serious
equalization problem for any greater distances. Right now it looks like there
are definite distance limitations to TV transmission not encountered in using
coaxial for much narrower-band telephone' relays. What these limitations are, the
AT&T people say they frankly won' t know until tests over longer hauls can be made.
O. J. | Jy
v m 'o'
Meanwhile, TVers aren't overlooking radio relay possibilities for networks
which they know will work- over short distances (viz. New York-Schenectady) . Only
this week, moving to niodernize its New York-Philadelphia relay, on which it has
been working long time, Philco filed 5 applications with FCC for a 2-way, simul-
taneous, microwave system. Links will include New York City; Mt . Rose, N.J., 50
miles from New York; Philadelphia, 37 miles from Mt. Rose. Philco 's plans call for
transmitter at Empire State Bldg., New York, for southbound traffic; 2 transmitters
at Mt. Rose, for two-way; one a Wyndmoor, Pa., where its WPTZ transmitter is loca-
ted, for northbound; one at V/PTZ studios in Philadelphia proper, for northbound.
Frequencies asked are 1300-1320 and 1380-1400 me — which are in proposed 1000-13000
allocations not expected to be finalised until after International Telecommunica-
tions Conference in Atlantic City May 15. At present, Philco 's New York-Philadel-
phia relay is one-way, picks up NBC's WNBT at Mt. Rose, retransmitting to Wyndmoor.
PUBLISHERS LOOK OVEB FAX: Facsimile demonstrations by both Finch and Hogan aroused
keen interest among newspaper publishers attending this week's ANPA convention in
New York City — heightened, no doubt, by widely publicized demonstrations con-
ducted recently by Jack Knight's Miami Herald (Vol. 3, No. 11), seen by estimated
50,000 persons. Nor was interest lessened by news that Philadelphia Inquirer's
WFIL-FM will use same Miami equipment (Hogan) for 5-day promotion starting April
28, is laying out §40,000 for equipment for regular service starting in September.
Reaction of publishers, as gauged by our correspondent, ranged from non-
committal to enthusiastic. They were told fax is out of lab, ready for newsrooms;
that small newspapers with FM can start service for §8, 000-§10, 000, that equipment
in fair quantities will be ready by fall. "NPFS Facsimile Digest," issued by News-
paper Publishers' Faximile Service, 155 Perry St., New York, in format very much
like this newsletter, is being distributed to give latest dope on Hogan system,
including costs; Finch literature may be obtained from Finch Facsimile, 10 E. 40th
St., New York City.
Meanwhile, ex-FCC Comr. T. A. M. Craven, now directing Cowles radio inter-
ests out of Washington, withdrew WOL's fax application, said he prefers waiting.
And RTPB Facsimile Panel (No. 7) after meeting last week, reported it is practically
ready to recommend standards to full board, which in turn will submit them to FCC.
NEXT TV SETS, NEXT T CITY: To the nearly 30 radio manufacturers who reported, in
response to our questionnaires, that they're definitely planning ,TV set production
this year (Vol. 3, Nos. 7, 13, 14), you can add Hallicraf ters , Majestic, and a new
company called Colonial Television Corp. (about which we know little yet except
that it isn't connected with Sylvania's subsidiary. Colonial Radio Corp., Buffalo).
Hallicraf ters tells us its sets will be consoles with AM-FM-phono and possibly wire
recorder — no other information. Majestic says its first model will be console,
with 6}£x8J4-inch image — that's all. Colonial firm is located at 225-18 Merrick
Road, Laurelton, L.I., N.Y. , states in not-very-inf ormative' leaflet that its "Vis-
ion Master," retailing at $199 with apparently no installation or servicing charge,
is "lowest price set now available." Where it's available, we don't know, but
we'll find out and report soon.
And you can look for announcement any day now of limited production of new
Crosley TV receivers, presumably to be marketed first in Cincinnati area where
company-built experimental video station in Carew Tower (in words of Jimmy Shouse)
"has been completely tested with entirely satisfactory results." Thus Cincinnati
may be next addition to ”T" cities (Supplement 18-C) . Crosley v/ill have 3 outlets
— in C
…[truncated]