New Wave Lengths

A new schedule of wave lengths to clear up the congestion in radio broadcasting will go into effect May 15, as a result of the recent second national radio conference called by Secretary Hoover. The country has been divided into five zones: 1) New England and Middle Atlantic states; 2) Middle West; 3) South; 4) Prairie and Mountain states; 5) Pacific. Ten definite wave lengths have been assigned to the high-power long-distance transmitting stations (Class B) in each zone. Broadcasters will have to adhere to these under penalty. Arlington, the Government station, will probably be allowed a special wave length of its own. New York and Newark, with their big entertaining stations, WJZ, WOR, WEAF, etc., will get three lengths, 405, 455, and 492 meters, between them, and must arrange their own division of time. The assignments are for cities and not for specific stations.

None of the wave lengths will go above 600 meters, which will be appreciated by amateurs with weak receiving sets. The 540 Class A stations which now use the 360-meter length will be allowed to retain it, but new stations weaker than Class B must come into the 222-300 band. The Department of Commerce is enlarging its forces to cover the country in nine inspection districts and check the wave lengths of every station.