Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-21
NEW MARKET AIM
FOR SHORT WAVES
Reserving of Channels Held
Object of Applications by
BroadcaSters.

Many of the applications from radio
broadcasting stations for assignments
TO the shortwave lengths are said to
be prompted by a desire not only TO
reserve new channels for broadcast
purposes but to open up a new market
for short wave receiving sets. This
is another .of the problems to be
solved by the Federal Radio Commits
sion January II. when it conducts its
public hearing on the future uses OF
the short-wa channels.
There are 80 relay broadcast sta
tions now operating in the Unitcs'
States. transmitting in conjunction
for the most part with ordinary local
or national stations. These transmit
the same programs of speech and
music on the short waves simulta-
neously with transmissions on their
regularly assigned domestic waves"
within the broadcast band. The pro-
grams are destined generally for
pickup and rebroadcasting in other
parts of the world. for the short waves
travel far The other English-speak-
ing countries, like Great Britain, Au-
STRATA and South Africa. receive these
programs most popularity.
Very few sets are made in this
country which receive on the short
wave lengths. except some made by
amateurs. experts and others who
build their own. The effort is dis
cerned in the large number of applica-
tions for broadcast licenses to oper-
ate on the channels below 200 meters
to create a market for such sets. 1t is
also believed that there is desire TO
extend the broadcast band. which,
with the l0-kilocycle separation of sta
tions, affords only 80 channels upon
which about 6S5 stations must operate.
The tremendous distances travelled
by programs on short waves, their
pickup in foreign lands and their re-
broadcasting on the foreign channels,
have given certain American stations
worldwide repute for their programs.
Particularly is this so in the Antipo-
des. where one of the most popular
programs ever received was the ac-
count of the DempT , ~dnney prize
fight. Plans are =z.~er foot for regu-
lar exchange of programs via the
tort waves between American and
British broadcasting interests.
The stations designated as relay
broadcasting stations in this country
are intended for that purpose only,
under their licenses. Some are port:
to master or central stations for re-
broadcasting such events as yacht
or aircraft races and like events not
readily covered by land wires. All
operate on waves from 81 to $50
meters, and all are designated by
calls beginning with a numeral and
X. viz, SXAL. Harrison, Ohio, oper-
ated in connection with WLW, Gin
cinnati.
The Choir Invisible, wearing the col
ors of the W., B. & A. weekly half hour,
will give a special Christmas radio
concert tonight as feature of the
WRC program. DIR. Alexander Hen
neman will direct his program, which
will include a number of presentations
of Yuletide significance, some of them
rarely heard in this country.
The Kilt Hour of Music, another
WRC attraction of local origin, will
present Miss Irene Jones, organist,
and Jack Nesbit, baritone.
From New York this station will
draw the weekly concert of the Good
rich Zippers and Silvertown Quartet,
in which Caroline Andrews. the
LARK" of the Capitol Theater fam.
ily," will appear as the estsol6isf,
and a tabloid version of verbs.
famouh opera, Aida
Interspersing these musical attrac-
tions will be the weekly resume of
the political situation in Washington
by Frederic William Vile. These talks
are being broadcast through the blue
network of the National Broadcasting
Co.
The Wilson Normal School Choral
Club and the Mckinley Technical High
School Orchestra, in addition to