Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-29
AIR TRAFFIC" DUE
FOR STRICT SURVEY
Master PatroIman to Super
wise Radio Field to Pre-
vent Interference"

A master traffic cop of the ether,
whose task 1t will be to see that all
modes Of radio are in their proper
spheres free of interference, shortly will
begin patrolling his beat embracing the
entire Nation.
This "Mussolini of the air" will be
a mechanical cop" located in the exact
geographic center of the United States
at Grand Island, Nebr. Technically
known as a constant frequency mont
toring station" 1t will be the first of
its kind in the world. Specifically, its
assignment will be to measure the fire.
uuencies upon which stations OF every
character operate, to ascertain that
they are not off course. causing inter-
ference. These are the eXasperating
aran-made ailments of radio reception.
The new station. to be completed in
December. was authorized by Congress
at the last session, and has been sought
for more than three years by the Fed
eral radio enforcement authorities -
Radio Division of the Commerce De-
partment Not only will the master
cop" monitor all radio In the United
States. but even foreign stations whose
signals are capable of interfering with
American stations will be checked.
AS a matter of fact every station in
the world using radio Is within the
range of the equipment. This appa-
ratus will cover the frequency ranges
from 10 to 10000 kilocycleS, or every
thing there is to the entire radio spec
trum being used for every conceivable
type of service. 1t can measure the
operating frequencies of any station in
existence.
Plans Complete for Installation.
Final plans for the installation of the
apparatus have been made by w. D.
Terrell, chief radio supervisor of the
Commerce Department. He says the
master cop" will find a definite need,
since the division has been very seri-
ously handicapped in the discharge Of
its functions by the almost total lack
uring equipment.
The station. Mr.. Terrell explains. will
serve as check on radio frequency
transmission channels. and will be able
definitely to place q station back on its
assigned frequency by the simple meth
cd Of calling up the new master cop"
by telephone. For example, he said
if the operator of any broadcasting sta
ton finds that he is not operating on
his authorized frequency, he may tele-
phone the monitoring station and re-
quest that his frequency be checked"
The master cop will be trained on
the off-frequency station. determine the
precise amount of deviation and notify
the station. and the whistle or het-
erodyne which the listener receives in
his radio set will be eliminated.
This will be the volunteer work of
the station. But the master cop" will
have his regular duties in policing the
ether to perform. It will rove over the
length and breadth of the country,
checking the frequencieS of stations to
ascertain whether they are causing in
reference and whether this is response
bic to negligence on the part of the
station or faulty equipment. Reports
will be made to the Federal Radio Com
mission of off-freQuency operation, just
as the radio inspectors now do, but
they will be much more comprehensive
There are more than 500 commercial
broadcasting stations. 1000 ship sta
tions, $4,000 amateur transmitting sta
tons. 1000 Government stations and
in excess Of 1000 general radio COM
,aunication stations licensed in the
United States. All these will be under
the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand
Island master cop"
A staff of 20 experienced radio in
spectors will make up the personnel Of
the new plant when 1t is going full
blast. 1t will be self-sustaining sta
ton, generating its own power and
1unctioning ANONYMOUSLY within its
scientific confines.
tCopyriEht. 1929. by the Consolidated PressJ