Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-13
lVABBLY CRYSTAL
+. CAUSE Of HAVOC
Broadcast Station Trouble
From InfinitesimaI varia-
ton, Cited as Warning.

An infinitesimal variation in the
thickness of the quartz crystal OF the
pieze oscilator frequency control
used by Station WEEP. Boston, caused
it to wabble so badly recently that it
played havoc with other programs
and created no little CONSERVATION
among radio listeners in northeastern
United States. When discovered. the
trouble was quickly obviated. but the
incident is worth noting. because 1t
reveals the care that must be eXer.
cised and the difficulties that may he
encountered by stations in the effort
to remain on their assigned channels.
Accurate Grinding Essential.
Upon the infinitely accurate grind
ing and celebration of the crystal de-
ponds the accuracy OF the vibration
period of frequency of the wave that
emanates from a transmitter and car
ries the program. In this case, on a
piece of quartz that measured about
an inch in length and one-half inch in
thickness, the grinding had been
faulty by something like a millionth
of an inch. But this was enough to
cause WEEP to deviate from its as
signed frequency of go kilocycles far
enough to interfere seriously with
WIZ, which was broadcasting on $50.
This has been about the most seri'
Gus interference incident in New Eng
land since the new ALLEGATIONS went
into effect about month ago. Com
missioner Caldwell reported following
his survey trip to New York and New
Jersey points and to Boston, Hartford,
Providence and New Haven. Broad |
casting conditions up there are greatly |
improved. Mr. Caldwell states.
Two Members Now in City.
Mr.. Caldwell and Admiral Billiard |
are the only members of the Federal |
Radio Commission now in Washing |
ton. The former is planning to visit |
stations in Buffalo, Rochester and |
Syracuse during the week of July IS. |
Commissioner Bellows is still in the |
Middle West, and Judge Sykes is in |
the South. They are expected back |
July Is to begin on the long schedule |
of public hearings on disputed fire. |
Quencies planned by the commission.
On the Pacific Coast and in the |
Rocky Mountain region the surveys Of |
broadcasting conditions and the check |
ups of stations are being carried on |
by radio inspectors of the Department +,
of Commerce. Although he is now in |
San Francisco, Commissioner Dillon |
has been unable to make any personal |
surveys like those being conducted by |
his colleagues, on account Of his seri-
Gus illness. Advices from San Fran
cisco state that he is improving and
has hopes of returning to Washington
In August or September.
With Robert Louis Stevenson's
"Story of the Young Man With the
Cream Tarts" WRC tonight will inau-
gurate a regular weekly series of radio
dr2matizations of well known short
stories,
In making plans for these broad.
casts, consideration has been given to
the dramatic possibilities Of the works
of practically every known writer Of
short stories, both modern and his
toricaL Three stories by Robert Louis
Stevenson will start the series, The
Story of the Physician and the Sara
toga Trunk" being planned for presen.
tation July 20, to be followed by
THE Adventure of the Hanson Cab"
July q.
Works of other authors will be pre-
scented on regular schedule in the fu
ture, and detailed plans are now being
made and rehearsals are being held for
coming broadcasts. Original scripts
have been prepared for the series, |
which it is thought will bring out the
atmosphere anu dCIIOu VI The SUITES
themselves and at the same time prove |
Of excellent dramatic value when
heard over the air. In selecting men,
oers Of the cast for these broadcasts,
great care has been exercised in choos-
Ing voices which register well through |
the microphone.
In arranging this series, the Ma |
tional Broadcasting Co. is taking leaf |
out of the book Of experience written |
by the motion picture industry. In |
stead OF turning to the stage for dra- |
matte material, WIZ has gone into |
accepted literature for it's dramatic ma. |
terial, just as the motion picture in !
austry is doing today.
Other attractions tonight include the |
Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra, George |
Halls Orchestra, South Sea Islanders. |
Organ Masters, Ipana Troubadours, |
Vladimir Vasa, pianist; Fred Eden, |
baritone; Jack Albin and his orchestra
and Cass Hagan and his Park Central |
Orchestra.
A combination Of weak signals. fad. |
Ing and static kept radio dealers last |
night attuned to either WRC or
WMAL. The superpower stations
were about the only ones any distance
from Washington that could be heard
with fair volume, and their offerings
frequently were interrupted sporad-
ically by some Of broadcasting's buga-
boos; If it wasn't static, it was fading,
and sometimes 1t was both.