Empirical Standards for Broadcast Allocation

The method used by the Engineering Division of the Federal Radio Commission in determining empirical standards of reception, interference, and service area is explained, for consideration in connection with the engineering aspects of the allocation of radio broadcast facilities. The average good service areas of 100-watt local channel stations, 250- to 1000-watt regional channel stations, 5000- to 10,000-watt high power regional channel stations, and 5000- to 50,000-watt clear channel stations are defined with reference to the voltage intensity ratio of the desired signal to the undesired signal incidental to specified mileage and kilocycle separations between stations. It is pointed out that the empirical standards will be changed when justified by additional data and further development of the art along the lines of suppression of sky-wave radiation, synchronization, improvements in reception conditions, etc. Various tables and graphs are included.