Evening star., 1939-07-09
Hieh-Frequency Radio
Due 10 End Static,
Doom Present Setup
Stondord Broadcast
Stations as Now Known on
Way Out, Soy FEC. Aides

Stations as Now Known on
Way Out, Soy FEC. Aides
By WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY.
Standard radio broadcasting sta
tions as they are known now are
definitely on the way out and will
be supplanted by new ultra high
frequency stations which will give
greater fidelity of reproduction, free
from static and man-made noises,
in, the opinion of Federal Communi-
cations Commission engineers who
are making a study of this evolu-
tionary period in broadcasting.
The change will require a COM
plete junking of present transmits
sion equipment as well as receiving
sets.
This alone will furnish one of the
most important problems which the
F. c. c. will have to meet in laying
down new policies in broadcasting
to meet the changing conditions
and to relieve as much as possible
the great monetary loss which
would face the owners of these sets.
Figures compiled by the commission
show the owners of receivers have
a far greater investment than the
transmission stations.
One of the developments which
has given momentum to the pros
poet Of fairly rapid change to
high-frequency broadcasting, it was
said, is the discovery that the ultra
high frequency wave is not limited
to the horizon. Heretofore, it was
believed such broadcasts could be
sent only as far as the eye could see
from the sending station, one of the
problems heretofore faced in the
development of television, which
uses the ultra high-frequency spec
truIn.
It was said at the commission
that a new station with $4,000 watts
power is being erected on Mount AS
nehumskit. Mass, through which it
is expected to serve the whole OF
New England.
Will Mean More Stations.
The invasion of the ultra high
frequency spectrum by the broad
casters it was said, will permit es-
tablishment of greater number of
stations and make 1t possible to 10
cate them closer together than is
now possible with the long waves
of the present standard broadcast
stations. AS the high frequencies
follow only the ground wave" sta
tons would have the same power
throughout the "a hours The pres
ent standard broadcasting stations,
using what is termed amplitude
modulation.' use less power in the
daytime when the ground wave" is
used, and higher power at night
when the signal is carried on the
''sky wave"
Commission engineers who have
been making study of the new
broadcasting possibilities say it is
possible to listen to program in an
intense electrical storm without the
slightest sputtering in the receiver.
Those having the present receiving
sets know how difficult 1t is to
get program during an electrical
disturbance. There also is no side
channel interference from stations
close to the band Of station which
happens to be tuned in at the mo-
nent
Will Increase Fidelity.
The new system is said to have
many other advantages, both to the
broadcaster and the listener. 1t
will give greater fidelity in the re-
ceivers. For the broadcaster. it will
require less power, the transmitters
will weigh less and consume less
space.
1t is expected that the next two
or three years will see the beginning
of the change During the first
period, in the opinion of radio en-
gineers, the shift will be gradual;
that is, the broadcasters will put in
the new equipment, alongside the
old, and broadcast on both simul-
taneously, so as not to eliminate
lI NptIlO -NdfC ICCSlNEIS OVER
night.
The manufacturers of receivers are
expected to take note of the change
by providing receivers both with the
present long wave and the ultra high
frequency waves, so that the listeners
can take advantage of both during
the transition period.
The high spectrum waves are said
to be much more sensitive than those
used now, and will obviate broad
casting stations maintaining equip
ment for sound effects. For instance,
1t is said, the new waves will actually
pick up and carry through the air
the pouring of water, for which
sound equipment now is said to be
required.
Communications Commission enei-
neers say the use of the high fire.
ouencies will provide a vastly su.
perior service and greatly reduce
costs.