New FCC Power Limitations Threaten WHRB Broadcasts

College radio stations, including WHRB and the rest of the Ivy League, are preparing for a showdown with the Federal Communications Commission in order to maintain present operations. According to WHRB station manager William K. McElroy '55, the commission is expected to pass a new docket of restrictions late next month that might cut down the power of the stations to the point where "operation would be impossible."

A high member of the University Corporation has joined with Clifford L. Alexander '55 in writing to the FCC and praising the work of the station in hopes that WHRB might be helped, if it becomes necessary to seek special permission to exceed the new restrictions.

The docket, which will probably be approved, cuts down the radiation limit of a carrier current system, such as the one employed by WHRB, from 100 to 40 microvolts per meter within in the University. It also imposes a new limitation preventing radiation of over 15 microvolts per meter off of University property. WHRB technicians stated last night that, in effect, all radiation would have to be kept to a 15 microvolts per meter maximum and that operation under these conditions would have to be curtailed.

Special Permission Allowed

A clause in the new specifications allows college stations to apply for special permission to exceed the new limitations, but WHRB officials are unable to say how easy this permission will be to obtain. To assist them in applying for such special permissions, the Ivy network stations are preparing briefs explaining their individual broadcasting problems.

Cornell will serve as a clearing house for these briefs, which must be submitted by June 16.

McElroy explained that WHRB would explore the possibility of becoming a commercial FM station should the news FCC ruling make it reduce present operations. Commission regulations, however, would call for 12 months a year operation under this plan, and McElroy was not certain whether this was possible. He also ruled out the prospect of obtaining an AM broadcast channel for the station or the addition of television facilities.