ABSTRACTS OF TECHNICAL ARTICLES 233 



in such a way as to provide the best possible coverage of a given country 

 or continental area. 



A given frequency or channel can be used for either of two kinds of 

 service; (1) by one station, exclusively, to give high grade service to 

 the immediate locality and opportunity for service over broad rural 

 areas when transmission conditions are good, and (2) by two or more 

 stations simultaneously, to give local service to a number of separate 

 regions, each of rather restricted area. The problem, therefore, in- 

 volves a determination of (1) the proper balance between the two kinds 

 of service, rural and urban, and (2) the proper basis for the apportion- 

 ment of the assignments. 



Reference is made to the basis of apportionment of radio broad- 

 casting assignments laid down in the U. S. Radio Act of 1927, and to 

 certain suggestions which have been made for the apportionment of 

 broadcasting frequency assignments among the countries of Europe. 



A brief discussion is given of the relation between field intensity, or 

 signal strength, and distance of transmission at broadcast frequencies. 

 The paper also discusses briefly the effects produced in the case of (1) 

 a single station operating exclusively on a "clear" channel, and (2) 

 two or more stations operating simultaneously on the same channel. 



It is suggested that the distribution of assignments on "clear" 

 channels, in a given continental area be made proportional to the 

 population of each of several large geographical units or zones and that 

 the distribution of assignments on "multiple assignment" channels 

 be made to comparatively small geographical units in proportion to 

 their areas. 



