Evening star., 1928-12-23
BOARD IS WORKING
ON CHAIN PROBLEM
Synchronization Suggested
as Possible Solution of
Radio Question.

~ANSNSSoAy ~ OCA446 sOuStA1 NdAlilg Nv
prominent engineers and members of
the Federal Radio Commission It Is
apparent that solution to the problem
Is wanted before the regulation. which
would cut the size of networks into ap-
proXimately one-half, becomes effective
on February l.
On September 8 the radio body issued
an order simultaneously with the new
ALLEGATION plan which would prohibit
duplication of network programs within
300 mile area. Stations affiliated with
the networks and thousands of listeners
registered sharp protest to this regula-
ton, with the result the commission
postponed the effectiveness of this order
until February /. 1t was announced
that this temporary retraction would
give the board further time to consider
the plausibility of the plan before max
ing decision.
Board Considering Plan.
It is reported that the commission is
considering several plans which would
eolve the chain program situation. The
boards original intention was to apply
this regulation only to stations operat-
ing on exclusive channels, the idea be-
ing, of course, to give greater service to
listeners throughout the country. 1t
was argued at the time the commission
decided upon the regulation that the
average set owner is able to receive less
than half dozen programs under ordi-
nary conditions, and under present
chain conditions so per cent would be
applications.
Under the present ALLEGATION of wave
lengths there are % stations operating
full time on exclusive channels and IL
others operating cleared bands on a
= tinle-Sharing basis. OF these stations,
more than 20 per cent are affiliated
with chains, and this is the situation
which the commission seeks to alter.
Despite numerous allegations from
smaller broadcaSterS. perhaps none too
we'll treated under the new ALLEGATION,
the commission claims that partiality
has not been shown to chain stations.
1t merely happened, according to the
stations, serving the greatest number
of listeners. are members of networks.
The commission in making the assign
ment chose those stations serving best
in public interest, convenience or ne
ceSsity' for the most desirable wave
lengths and power allotments. With
only few exceptions, broadcaSterS al
filiated with networks are not owned
by the chains, but the managers of the
stations themselves chose to join the
countrywide systems.
Order Will Limit Chains.
II the commissions order becomes
effective on February /, present chains
will be allowed only one hour during
the evening. 1t has been reported in
official radio circles, however, that the
board in proposing the chain limita-
tionS seeks to have the broadcaStfng
companies precipitate some plan of So
1ution before the orders becomes effec-
tive. Despite this assumption, none OF
the broadcaSting organizations has men,
toned any arbitrary solution but IN
stead have sought to have the COM
mission retract the general order.
The commissions object in clearing
90 channels in the broadcasting spec
trum was to expand the program serv-
ice to listeners. Obviously, If the ma
jority of these station broadcast pro-
grams originating from the same studio,
nothing has been accomplished by the
commission plan.
/ Suggests Board Regulate Claim.
One prominent engineer suggests that
chains be allowed to continue under
the jurisdiction of the commission.
not made any recommendations to the
bruadcasting companies. Under exist
ing conditions, the matter of joining
a network is entirely up to the owners
and operators of the broadcaSting sta
ton. 1t is interesting to note, how
ever, that number of the stations re-
ceiving increased power or better wave
lengths during the past year have
sought affiliation with the networks
after the assignment had been granted.
One instance of this Is WEBC, at Su-
perior, Wis. The commission granted
this station power increase last Sum-
mer, in order that the President might
listen to broadcasting while sojourning
ct Cedar Island Lodge, near Superior.
Soon after, the station affiliated with
one of the larger networks. y,
Without doubt the chain programs
are extremely popular with radio lis
teners. This was evidenced by the num-
Der of protests received by the commits
sion and radio experts following the
announcement of the chain order, and
it is largely because of these protests
that the commission decided to post
pone the regulation until February !.
SynchrOnizatiOn May Be Solution
Probably the most plausible solution
to the chain problem would be the syn
chronization of the network stations
allowing them all to operate on the
same channel. With chain stations all
operating on the same wavelength
there would be no waste of channels,
and the network programs would be al
lowed to continue with possibly in
creased service. areas.
The main obstacle in the synchroni-
Zation plan is still undeveloped Some
engineers. favor the scheme, while others
denounce it as being entirely impracti-
cable However It has been tried and
worked successfully with two stations.
Whether it will be developed to the
stage where more than two stations
may operate successfully on the same
wavelength awaits the research Of radio
engineers. This system is now func-
tioning satisfactorily in the case of
WBz and WBzA at Springfield and
Boston, respectively When engineers
found that it was impossible to hear
the signals of WBZ in Boston several
years ago a solution to the problem was
sought. 1t was finally decided to try
Synchronizatlon, and since then has
been operating successfully.
The prime factor in the operating of
two or more stations on the same wave
length is that their frequencies be iden-
tical to the fraction of cycle. The
reason for the necessity of this extreme
precision is to prevent hererodyning in
reference, which would result in a
high-pitched whistle equal to the diff
ference in the two frequencies.
It is believed in official radio circles
that the commission will make some
reconsideration on the chain regulation
before February /. No definite solution
to the problem has been proffered by
either members of the commission or
broadcasting companies. Chain pro-
grams are so popular with listeners that
it is believed some plausible plan which
would allow their continuance will be
forthcoming before the date set by the
commission for the prohibiting of sta
ton tie-ups within the 300-mile radii.
Bicycle Advertising Barred.