Frequency Allocations for Broadcasting

Any sound plan for frequency allocations for broadcasting must be based on engineering considerations. A broadcasting system¿AM, FM or television¿may be divided into its component elements, the characteristics of these elements pertinent to allocations may be analyzed, and a technically consistent allocation plan can be developed. The major components are the eye of the television viewer or the ear of the radio listener, the receiving installation, the existing electrical noise, the physical facts of wave propagation, and the transmitting installation. Historically, allocation plans were not developed solely through such engineering studies. AM broadcasting grew in a chaotic manner, and early attempts at governmental regulation were declared illegal by the courts. Remedial legislation resulted in the establishment of the Federal Radio Commission and its successor, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with legally delegated regulatory responsibilities and authority. Television and FM broadcasting, which came later, were always subject to governmental regulation. Television profited greatly from the high degree of cooperation at the engineering level which has existed between the FCC and the television industry. The practical administration of broadcast allocations depends upon other factors as well as engineering considerations. In analyzing the critical needs of the future, some of these non-engineering factors assume major importance.