Evening star., 1928-12-31


ship and ship-tI-shore communication
will be placed, and where the overflow
of broadcasting eventually must go.
Certain governmental activities already
are racing up and down this broad
expanse of unexpected radio territory.
The biggest single administrative
step in the interest of radio listeners
was the reallocation of November IL.
Acting pursuant to the legislation
adopted by Congress In March, order
ing redistribution of wave lengths ac-
cording to population, the commission,
after receiving the advice of ranking
radio engineers, promulgated its plan
that was to reclaim radio from the
heterodynes and interference that had
engulfed it since 1926, when the radio
law broke down.
Thus far expert opinion. generally
seems to be that the plan is working
satisfactorily and is destined for COM
plete success, with few minor ADJUST
mentS.
Practically every one of the $40 sta.
tionS on the air was moved. only
800 of the total were permitted 20
broadcast simultaneously, and time
division was invoked to a large de-
gree.
Manufacturing Industry Spurts.
The manufacturing lnuustry took a
big squirt over 1927. Improved recep-
ton resulting from the reallocation is
seen as a factor in further increasing
sales in 1929. Radio dealers realized
approximately $4O0,0O0,000 in sales Of
receiving apparatus, an increase OF
some $25,000,000 over the preceding
year, based on unofficial statistics.
There was definite trend toward
electric "plug-in" receivers and dy-
manic loud speakers during the year.
Sales of the plug-in models were four
to one over battery sets. The electri-
fed set was introduced in 1927, but
the dynamic power speaker was an in
novation of 1923, and was greeted by
responsive listening public.
A nationwide survey of receiving sets
completed in May by a radio periodi-
cal at the behest Of the commission
placed the number of receiving sets at
100000 and the radio audience at
some 45,000,000. About the same time
last year the estimate was 6,500,000 re-
ceiving sets. Since the survey was
made, however, the industry estimates
that at least another million sets were
sold and the audience increased by
some 100000.
The survey showed that 100000
standard receiving sets with loud speak,
er volume were in use, and that to-
gether with crystal or one:tube receivers
of obsolete type still in use on farms
in rural sections the total number Of
sets in actual service in May was in the
neighborhood of 100000.
The results of the years radio re-
search at the Bureau of Standards show
a completely developed practical type
of directive radiobeacon to supply
signals of the visual type, a satisfactory
type of aircraft radio receiving set and
antenna system, and simple vibrating
reed type of visual indicator for in
stallation on an airplane instrument
board. Also fuller understanding Of
shielding methods for engine ignition
systems was attained.
The aviation weather service also was
broadened during the year. The
Weather Bureau established five new
upper air meteorological stations to
supplement the 81 existing at the out
set of the year. The majority of these
are located at airports throughout the
country and furnish information two,
three or four times day to weather
control stations along the airways.
The information from over 200 first
order stations is collected twice daily
and used for forecasts of flying condi-
tions. These forecasts are made avail
able to pilots using the airways through
airway communication stations.
Army and Navy Communications.
The Army and Navy communications
services continued their peace-time
activities on large scale.
The year 1923 saw the holding Of
three great radio shows-at San Fran
cisco. New York and Chicago. At these
annual meccaS for dealers, jobbers and
manufacturers everything new in radio
was displayed. Millions Of dollars
worth of orders were placed. Imposing
arrays of radio sets and accessories by
the manufacturers vying for the busi-
ness of buyers were on display. And
for the first time in history television
apparatus was shown. although more as
a novelty than anything else.
Wired radio" as an adjunct Of
space radio is promised for 1929. Dur
ing 1928 Wired Radio, Inc, a SUBJ
sidiary of the North American Co.. has
been engaged in planning the debut OF
this new form of entertainment, pro-
rectly along the power lines that enter
the homes, but without disturbing
space radio" Regular broadcasting
stations Will put on the programs.
Hectic Year in Administration.
Nineteen twenty-eight was a hectic
year in radio administration. The Radio
Commission was to pass out of existence
as an administrative body on March Is.
this responsibility returning to the
CoY,oyoarno Doy1orfx,eof r3,.F ~, N6arot,
%. President Coolidge signed the Dill
Davis bill. extending the life of the
commission for one year, and specifying
under the terms of the Davis amend-
ment that the broadcasting facilities
of the Nation be divided among the
five radio zones. This was affected by
the reallocation of November IL. Under
that law the commission expires this
coming March Is as an administrative
body. but there is every indication that
Congress again will extend its life for
another year. The personnel of the new
commission. however, most likely will be
changed.
r.adio law was written during the
year. Perhaps the most important case
remains to be decided. and :t.;at is the
appeal Of Station WGY, previously
mentioned and now pending before the
Court of Appeals of the District of Co
lumbia. Because this important case
involves the question of vested property
rights of a station its result anxiously
is being awaited by brcadcasters and
listeners alike.
The commission won the only case
tried involving the constitutionality Of
its activities under the radio act of
1927. This was the case of Station
WCRW of Chicago. contending that
the commission was violating the Con-
by reducing its power from
500 to 100 watts. Federal Judge James
H. Wilderson of the District Court at
Chicago held that the commission has
the authority to reduce a stations
power. and that such action Is not in
contravention Of the fifth amendment