Evening star., 1934-11-05
j. S: RADIO PROBE
TO TEST STATIONS
Preliminary Hearing Slated
for Capital November 9
to Show Scope.
MINUTE technical analysis OF


~ limited States to determine
lust how much broadcasting
service listeners get from its
500 stations will shortly be instituted
by the Federal Communications Com
mission. probably as the forerunner
of sweeping changes In existing sno-
cations.
Prompted largely by the demands
of more than a dozen stations operat-
ing on so-called clear channels with
superpower, who contended that serv-
ice to rural and remote listeners was
being destroyed by the breaking
down" Of clear channels, the broad
cast division Of the commission has
decided to survey the entire broadcast
structure. So-called regional and To-
cal stations. using medium and low
powers, will be investigated along with
the 5O.00O-watt Goliaths Of the air.
In that way. the commission hopes
to ascertain just how much duplica-
tion of service exists, and also to
determine whether the clear channel
stations now are essential in the COM
posite technical radio picture.
Can Hearing November 8.
As the first phase Of this new un-
dertaking-easily the most significant
with regard to service to radio listen
ers everywhere since the Nation-w wide
reallocation of 1928, which turned
the broadcast band topsy- -turvy-the
broadcast division has scheduled a
preliminary hearing in Washington
on November 9. At that hearing,
it will determine definitely the scope
of the new undertaking and FIX the
work to be done both by the commits
sion and by individual stations, who
volunteer their cooperation In max
ing reception studies.
The commission estimates that the
cost of making this study, expected
to consume at least six months, will
be about 100000. OF this total, the
F. C. c. itself proposes to expend
approximately one-fifth, with the
balance to be contributed by cooper
sting stations through expenditures
for technical equipment and field
studies. After this data is gathered,
the broadcast division will decide
upon a revision of the existing broad
casting structure. If any, so as to
provide better service for all listen
ers, but primarily those residing in
areas remote from established sta
tions.
Study How Stations Fit"
The broadcast division" said the
official action, has decided to conduct
a thorough survey of the broadcast
structure both as to results Of alloca-
tions on clear channels and on chan
nels to which more than one station
is assigned to operate simultaneously
at night. This survey will be made for
the purpose of determining the serv-
ice available to the people Of the
United States and the type Of station
that the listeners in rural areas are
dependent upon for their service. The
degree of interference or impairment
Of service caused by duplication OF
certain high-power stations Is to be
investigated, as well as the possibility
of providing additional high-power
stations without reducing the service
TO the listening public from existing
stations"
1t was pointed out that the Cooper
alton of all stations is requested in
making the survey. and that the ex-
tent and scope of the undertaking
will to some extent depend on the IA
cil1ties made available by stations. ALI
stations were asked to notify the COM
mission of the technical facilities they
are willing TO place under the COM
missions direction.
DREMIER RAMSAY MACDONALD
i Of Great Britain, addressing the
annual lord mayors banquet In
London, also is to speak In the United
States in a twin network rebroadcast
Friday afternoon.
The premier is expected to discuss
governmental policies.
r X
TWO Atwater Kent addition win.
L ners Of few seasons ago-WiI-
bur Evans, baritone, and Carol
Deis, soprano-have been booked for
broadcast on Columbia November IL,
They will be featured in two duets.