The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-07
Editorial Comments
From Other Angles
. HI MISSING LINK
Asheyille Citizen

After many false starts and unfulfilled prom
ises, television in America is about to bridge
the gap between technical novelty and CONNER.
cial reality. Radio Corporation of America en-
gineers announced in New York on Wednesday
that a system of radio relay transmission has
been adapted for television programs which
will increase the range of Releasing" from
fifty to one thousand miles.
This tremendous step forward, believes David
Sarnoff, Of r. C. A., provides 1.-The missing
link in television." The problem of distance has
stumped television engineers for some years.
Transmission of a clear image requires extra
wide channels found only in the ultrashort
wave area of the radio spectrum. Since ultra
short waves behave much like common light
waves they can carry only to the extent of
the visible horizon.
A few years ago engineers produced what
they called the "coaxial' cable. This device
substitutes for ordinary telephone wires-over
which radio programs are transmitted from
station to statiton-hut is so expensive as to
be impracticale. The only alternative is a sys-
tenn of relay stations. Although they were once
likewise thought to be too expensive, R. c. A.
has now devised a system of relays similar to
those used in ordinary broadcasting which are
mot very expensive" (says Mr.. Sarnoff) and
will shortly be placed in used over a limited
television network.
This report of technical progress is crafty
ing, especially at the present time. Up until
last september GredC bTlLdlu a Inv eAS
lead in world experimentation with televlsion.
With the outbreak Of war, however, television
has had to be abandoned. In the first place,
Britain has modified her scientists for war
duty; the other reason is that air raid pre-
caution authorities have forbidden operation of
television apparatus at Alexandra Palace De-
cause the signals would provide a deadly &C.
curate guide to enemy bombers should they
attempt to raid metropolitan London.
AS a consequence, pioneering In televlslon
must be carried on in the United States. This
may mean a great deal to the radio industry
and the entertainment world in providing new
investment and new outlets for actors and &C
tresses. The British estimate in the tens OF
millions of dollars the probable gain which will
be Americas if our opportunities are fully
exploited.
1t may be well, however, for the public TO
temper the optimism Of the engineers Win
caution. The expense of commercial programs
on the same grand scale that is INDUCED N
by today's radio shows is not as easily met
by television requirements. An interesting So
luton to this particular problem has peen sus'
gested by Irving Fiske in the current Harpers
Magazine. Television, he maintains oeionss
properly to the theatre. 1t is mechahlcany
possible to reproduce large-scale images OH
the screens of movie houses where pa'ions
who cannot afford expensive televisioh appa-
ratus at home may see telecasts OF broauwAy
plays or athletic contests. This practice las
been followed with great commercial suc.oos
in England. It may offer the missing rIlse
link in the chain of American televisloh'