With the announcement that the Federal Radio commission has sanctioned tentatively the use of increased power by six of the 76 stations on the Columbia network, the aggregate permitted power of the units on the chain has jumped by 216,750 watts in the fourteen months since January 1, 1930.
During that period 14 affiliated stations have received authorization for power increases, including the key-station, WABC. New York, for which a new transmitter is being constructed to operate on 50,000 watts—the maximum power for broadcasting permitted by the commission.
Other stations now authorized to occupy one of the 40 cleared channels on maximum power are WCAU, Philadelphia, and WCCO, Minneapolis. The St. Louis outlet, KMOX, already is operating on 50,000 watts. Other stations to increase their power include WBT, Charlotte, from 5,000 to 25,000 and WOWO, Fort Wayne, from 500 to 10,000.
The increases granted in little more than a year amount to approximately ninety per cent of the total original power of the 76 stations on the chain—in other words, the power will be virtually doubled when operation under the new permits is completed.
The new year has brought two new stations to Columbia. KOH, Reno, Nev., the only full-time station in the state, is the first Nevada unit to carry network programs. WOKO, Albany, N. Y., will join the world's largest radio network on Monday, March 2.
Continued growth has resulted in vast increases in wire facilities. Columbia's wire mileage increased 140 per cent in the year ending August 31, 1930, and further gains are expected this year.