Sets in U.S.A.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 1, 20 July 1928, Page 2

Sets in U.S.A.

ESTIMATE OF 12,000,000 _- AUDIENCE OF FORTY MILLION -_ FESTIMATES of the radio trade now place the number of receiving sets in use in the United States at uearly 22,000,000, serving an audience of nut Jess than 40,000,000 perseus, Figures on the number of receiving sets priyvately owned have yecenily peen compiled by a number of bodies ai the request of the Federal Radio Commission, which is anxious to furnish: Congress with dependable figures on the number of receiving sets in use in the United States. Figures’ compiled by branches of the trade indicate that 7,500,000 standard receiving sets, capable of delivering loud speaker volume, are now in use 4n the country, in addition to a large number of erystals and one-tube reeeivers of obsolete trpe, which are still in wide use in rural districts. Few persons, even in the radio industry, it is pointed out, realise the number of small erystal sets which have been put into circulation at premiums. One group of banking institutions is declared to have distributed 200,000 of these sets, combined with eustomers, saving banks, Other large quantities have been sold to customers through chain stores and mail order ~ houses. Among standard receivers at the present time, alternating current sets in cities constitute 90 per cent. of all the sales, it is estimated. One large manufacturer has disposed of approximately 200,000 such sets since December 1, 1927, and a second maker is following close behind with nearly the same output during the last six months. Short-Wave Growth. ISTENERS on the broadcast band are being augmented by the steady épmand for short-wave facilities, mostly for international and commercial purposes. A group of radio engineers has been called in by the United States Federal Government Radio Commission for advice as to the assignment of short waves so that the maximum number of stations can be put on with the

least interference. At the hearing in [{ Washington recently of short-vave applications it was revealed that there are applications pending for nearly 300 channels, while there are only about 55 to this country for assignment. The Radio Corporation of America asked for 105 ehannels; the Postal Telegraph Company wants 34, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company four; the 8.P. Radio Company three; and a group of newspapers 38 for press dispatches, Some bitterness of feeling developed at the hearing when Joseph T. Pierson, of the American Publishers’ Association, charged that the RCA was trying to prevent newspapers from getting channels in order that the R.C.A. might get their business. He claimed the RCA was trying to obtain a monopoly in the communication field. He also opposed the request of the A, T, and T. for channels on the ground of an alleged agreement with the General Flectrie Company, Which was in restraint of trade. On the other hand, representatives of the RCA declared that because of the fact that there were not enough waves to go around they should be assigned to companies which serve the entire public. Members of the commission have not yet, formulated policies about the assignments, but it is believed that they will grant licenses as soon as they have the views of the engineers. It is recognised that there is need for action by the authorities of this country because otherwise foreign countries may assign stations to the ‘wayes, Which would give them a prior claim. An indication of this is contained in ‘the fact that there has been a 50 per cent. increase in foreign stations since March 20, while there has been only a 2 per cent. increase in stations in the United States. An opinion is heing expressed by members of the Radio Commission that the short-wave problem should be disposed of before the broadcasting reallocation is taken up. Should the opinion prevail, it would mean that the new allocation might ‘not be made until September 1, at the earliest. .