Evening star., 1934-11-15
VAST BROADCAST
SURVEY TO START
$4,000 to Be Spent in
Analysis of Radio
Spectrum.

-ITHIN q week or 30 1UU,UOU
American farmers in all
NV parts Of the country will
receive from the Federal
Communications Commis-
sion a QUESTIONABLE which will prob
ably ask only two questions. The
first will inquire whether the farm
has a radio receiver and the second
will ask what stations are listened
to regularly.
That will be the beginning Of the
most exhaustive survey Of radio broad
casting coverage ever undertaken by
Uncle Sam, and one that will require
many months to complete. Upon the
results the F. c. c., successor to the
Federal Radio Commission, will seek
to determine just how much radio
broadcasting service. from the stand
point of signals receivable, rather than
program content, people in various
parts of the country receive. Then 1t
will set out, If necessary, to provide
ways and means of improving that
service-possibly through an evolu-
tionary realignment Of wave and
power facilities over q period Of
months or even years.
Survey to Be Vast.
The farm questionable, however, Is
only small, non-technical aspect Of
what is essentially scientific study.
Mustered into service will be prac-
tically every piece Of radio signal
measuring equipment available, plus
more new equipment to be built. Hun
dreds Of automatic recording devices,
which operate like the seismographs
that register the locus Of earthquake
tremors, will be tuned to stations, con-
tinuously recording the intensities Of
their signals. A fleet Of radio test
cars-veritable perambulating radio
laboratories-will set out from diver
gent points and zig-zag across the
country to tune in the signals of
stations while en- route and to chart
the strength and quality Of the service.
All this was decided upon in tenta-
tive form at technical meeting called
by the engineering department of the
F. G. c. week ago. The action
was taken pursuant to authority Of
the commissions broadcast division,
which a fortnight ago ordered the
comprehensive study of the existing
structure. The entire project grew
out of the complaint Of 13 of the Ma
tion's largest stations operating on
clear or exclusive channels that serv-
ice to the public was being under
mined by the breaking down" Of
exclusive wave lengths by reason Of
assignments Of more than one station
on such waves. Forty clear channels
originally were established in 1928 for
the primary purpose of serving listen
ers residing in rural areas who are
remote from local broadcasting sta
tions.
Tests Theory.
The main purpose of the engineering
study Is to ascertain Just how many
people are dependent upon clear chan
mel service and the degree to which
service of such high-power stations
is curtailed by the assignment Of other
stations on the same channel. II has
been recognized engineering theory
in the past that when more than one
high-power station operates on the
same wave the resultant clashing Of
signals destroys reception except for .
restricted area surrounding the sta
tions. The survey, among other
things, will determine the accuracy OF
this theory.
While deciding to follow, In part at
least, the plea Of the IS large stations,
the F, C. c. at the same time felt
it should take advantage Of the op-
portunity presented to analyze the
entire broadcast spectrum. It was
for that reason that the scope OF
the survey was made all inclusive.
Roughly, it is estimated that some
$50 900 will be expended in the techn1-
cal end of the study, exclusive OF sal
aries of engineers and others who Will
participate.
DOTARIANS in North and South
II America will hold simultaneous
meeting tonight through the aid
of short waves. Prominent speakers
will be on both from Schnectady, N.
Y, where W2XAF, on 3l.48 meters,
will put on the North American end,
ana lTOu ouc1oo NUS, "ACAC AS1As
on 1898 meters, will handle the South
American part.
The program, starting at 8. Is 60
ing only via the two short-wave sta
tions, and to hear both sides Of the
broadcast satisfactorily two receivers
will be necessary.
\ \ X
POSTMASTER GENERAL FARLEY
I will make a 15-minute radio talk
Sunday night at 7 over an N. B. c.
chain. Our Party's Responsibility"
will be his topic.