When a broadcasting station increases its sending power, with the permission of the Radio Commission, extensive changes have to be made in its transmitting equipment and transmitting tubes of a heavier capacity are employed.
On August 12, for instance, Station WBT at Charlotte, N.C., jumped its power from 5,000 to 25,000 watts and an expenditure around $200,000 was involved in the change. This included the installation of five huge 100,000-watt tubes, known as RCA-UV 862, which are the largest and most powerful used in present day broadcasting. They cost $1650 each.
These were ordered from the R.C.A. plant at Camden, N.J., and were shipped from the factory at Schenectady, N. Y. by Railway Express Agency. Packed in wooden crates of a special design, with the tube inside held "in suspension," these arrived in perfect condition at Charlotte, in time to permit of several days' test, preceding the actual dedication ceremonies, held on August 12, to celebrate the station's entry in the high-power class.
The fact that all of the tubes functioned perfectly was a satisfaction not only to the manufacturer and the station officials, but also to Agent W. H. Ison at Charlotte, who supervised every step in their handling in that city.
The Express Messenger was a monthly magazine published by Railway Express Agency.