Evening star., 1924-03-16
RADIO GOSSIP AND NEWS

Broadcasting was born in America
and 1t is natural that this country
should lead the world in this art and
Its associated industries. Many Of
the 561 broadcasting stations, how
ever, are not satisfied with transmit
ting radio programs throughout the
North American continent. Some of
the fifty high powered class 3. sta.
tfons, all of which are rated at 500
or more watts, and nine are Of 1000
watts power. are ambitious to enter
tain the whole world. This long dis
tance broadcasting is extending the
use of the English language ma
terially,
1t is possible, and some think ii
probable. that within the space Of a
few years English may come to be
the universal language through the
use of the radiophone. Commercial
and amateur radio telegraph mes
sages in English also have consider
able influence upon this growing use
of our language. Just as. Latin is
the language of the classics and
professions. German is the language
of science, and French of diplomacy.
so English may become the speech OF
Radio messages telegraphed from
American stations have extended half
way round the world already. and
radio broadcasting practically
Secretary L. E. Whittemore of the
governmental interdepartmental radio
committee.
American broadcasting stations are
many times as numerous as those in
any other country, and most of these
stations are more powerful than
foreign voice transmitters. Linked
into an all-English system, which
would include the British colonies and
our insular possessions. an extensive
broadcasting net carrying the Anglo
Saxon word around the world is pre-
dicted. An international language
will have to be developed If English
or the so-called universal languages,
Esperanto or lido. will not suffice, Mr..
Whittemore points out.
Radio developments in practically
all countries are reported weekly by
our consular service. In many lands
American radio apparatus is sought.
Last year American radio exports
totaled sa,44S,112. averaging around
$3.50. 900 a month in exports to forty
countries, and shipments are rapidly
increasing. In December the only
countries which did not receive at
apparatus from the United states
were Greenland, Ecuador, venezuela
and Guatemala:
Transoceanic reception of United
States broadcasts began last year,
and now almost every night one or
two American stations are heard in
England and France. American sta
tions have also been reported In
Hawaii. Broadcasting from the states
is heard regularly in Alaska, and
every once in a while the acknowl-
edgment of a program comes from
distant points in South America. A
broadcast from Chicago, intended Tor
the Arctic, was reported as received
in Samoa, quarter way round the
world, and also one from Los Angeles.
A Troy. N. Y, station was heard in
New Zealand.
Washington's high-powered sta
been heard in Central and South
America. Cuba and the West Indies.
and, of course, Canada WCAP has
had one letter from England re-
porting the reception of its pro-
gram over there.
in Breat Britain, has on several occa-
sions picked up American programs
during the past two months and re-
broadcast them for the benefit of
Isles. On February the entire
program of kDKA, at East Pitts
burgh, Pa, was so received and re-
layed. European fans do not have
to rely upon their home stations. but
also pick up the broadcasts from
neighboring countries; distances be-
ing less between capitals abroad, IN
ternational radio broadcasting Is
common in Europe today, according
to Mr.. Whittemore.
In Great Britain. where more Amer
lean stations are heard than those OF
any other foreign country, local fans
have an advantage over their cousins
of this side of the Atlantic. Radio
H., "a NDh
than in the day time, and for this
reason we seldom hear British sta
tionS unless they are transmitted
after dark here or about midnight IN
England. The British broadcasts ar
rive here when we are in the midst OF
our evening programs. On the other
hand, when it is pm. on our At
lantic coast it is am. in London. If
English fans can wait until this hour.
when most British stations have sign
ed off, they have a good chance to
hear some of the big American trans
mitters.
The very fact that they listen in
over there" is shown by the rapid
popular songs and music. abroad. The
"banana song has been heard many
times in the air in England. and
corrupted form is known in Germany.
Music, fortunately for international
broadcasting, is written in a uni
versal form, and is understood il not
always appreciated regardless of the
native tongue. Speeches and ad-
dresses, however, and announcements
may soon have to be made in Ian
guage understood around the world,
if we are to extend the scope of
broadcasting that far. Some stations,
heard in foreign countries or ada
cent to International borders, are al
ready making their announcements in
two languages for the benefit of their
listeners. r..
It is only natural that for Ameri-
can broadcast reception American
made apparatus is sought abroad. and
nearly every week requests for radio
apparatus, data and catalogues are
received by the Department of Com
merce. Many overseas seek to be-
come agents of American manufac-
turing firms and the department is
forced to keep a list of such requests
for reference. Just now Italy is seek
ing receiving sets suitable for recep-
ton on wave lengths from 400 to 500
and 400 to 1000 meters and ranges
from 10 to 1000 miles. Calls have
also been received recently from Bra
zil, Portugal, Sweden, New Zealand
and Australia for apparatus and bat
teries. Some countries are already
jealous of American sets and have
prohibited their importation or i'm
posed high tariffs to protect home
made sets.
New Station Directory.
A revised and up-to-date list Of all
broadcasting stations licensed by the