Evening star., 1927-06-01
EXPERTS DISCUSS
WAVE MEASURES.
Radio Scientists Disparage
Use OF Meter Instead of
KiIoCyCIe in Ratings.

Radio science looks disparagingly
upon the measurement of wave
lengths in meters instead of the use
of kilocycles to express the wave fire.
quency OF a broadcasting station. The
Bureau of Standards says that it is in
line with scientific accuracy, as well
as q greater convenience to the pub
lie, that the Federal Radio Commits
sion has decided 10 employ the kilo-
cycle instead of the meter unit.
The word kilocycle need cause no
dismay, bureau experts point out.
"Kilo" means thousand" and thus
kilowatt equals 1000 watts OF power.
''Cycle" means one complete alterna-
ton. The number of kiiocycles is the
number of thousand times that the
rapidly alternating current in the an
tenna or the set repeats is flow in
either direction in one second.
Meter Measure of Wave Length.
The meter is the measure of the
length of the wave. The shorter the
length of the wave the faster IL alter
mates, and vice versa. To determine
the klocycle rating corresponding to
the number of meters, or vice versa,
divide 100000 by the number.
"It is much easier for the listener"
says the Bureau of Standards, ito log
because all station frequencies are in
even numbers, such as GO. $50, etc,
and spaced 10 kilocycles apart. The
wave length ratings, on the other
hand, like 1895 or 1853, are irregular
and troublesome and are separated
different amounts all over the scale,
requiring decimal points for correct
measurement,
''In selecting the even kilocycle
ratings, the commission is utilizing
the results of several years expert
ence in the development of broad
casting. Spacings other than the uni
form 10 kilocycles between stations
have been tried and have always added
TO interference. The inherent reason
for this is that the radio wave carry
ing speech or music does not occupy
q single sharp frequency. but actually
occupies a little band Of frequencies
10 kilocycles wide.
KilocycIe i'm Favor.
"On account of its greater conven.
ience, and because the wave length
designation is secondary, confusing and
superfluous, engineers have gone in
creasingly to the kiIocycle basis and
manufacturers have more and more in
ciined TO marking their dials in kilo-
cycles rather than meters The use
OF kilocycles was given standing as
authoritative American practice when,
on the recommendation of the Bu-
reau of Standards, the 1923 National
Radit Conference adopted a resolu-
ton that stations be rated in kilo-
cycles. The definite adoption of this
practice by the Federal Radio Com.
mission is in harmony with the trend
or the best radio engineering and
manufacturing groups"
A tabloid version of the Chimes of
Normandy" by the National Light Op.
era Co., the principal musical offer.
ing's tonight of WRC.
The Ipana Troubadours. the Hi.Lo
Hawaiians. Mayfiower Orchestra and
Eddie Elkins and his orchestra and
other musical attractions. which will be
intersperSed with several talks and the
weekly program of the Perfect Di-
amond Entertainers"
One of the talks will be given by
David Lawrence of local news bu-
reau. Herbert W. Krieger of the Ma
tional Museum will give the other. He
will speak on "The Folk Lore of the
Northwest Coast Indians"
Static cracked and crashed almost
continuously last night and it's dis
turbance formed an effective barrier
to incoming signals. A few of the out
of-town stations could be picked up,
however, but only those with super
power strength came through with
sufficient volume for loud speaker re.
production.
The strongest of the signals came
from the North. The South was re.
sponsive, but weak in signal strength.