Apex (radio band)
Encyclopedia
Apex was an experimental radio broadcasting system introduced in the United States in 1934 that used high frequencies between roughly 25 and 42 MHz and wideband AM
modulation (as opposed to traditional AM broadcasting's narrowband modulation) to achieve high fidelity sound with less static and distortion than medium wave AM
stations in the so-called standard broadcast band (then, 545-1505 Khz) experience. They were called "apex", "skyscraper" or "pinnacle" stations because of the height of the broadcast antennas
used.
The Federal Communications Commission
thought initially that very high frequency (VHF) radio waves would have a small, discrete range, and would allow two or more stations to broadcast on duplicate frequencies without interfering with each other. But later it was realized that during peaks in the 11-year sunspot cycle even VHF radio waves could reflect from the ionosphere, and Apex station signals could sometimes be heard on the other side of the planet. In October 1937, the FCC made public its allocation plan for VHF radio broadcasting: 75 channels with 40 kHz separation on 41.02 to 43.98 MHz for Apex stations and 16 channels in 30-40 MHz for relay stations. Twenty-five of the 75 channels were reallocated for educational use in 1938.
Until the late 1930s, commercially-made radio receivers did not operate within that band of frequencies, so early listeners to Apex stations used self-built receivers, or built converters for existing models.
Most Apex stations operated under experimental licenses, and were affiliated with and subsidized by commercially licensed stations. In 1934, Buffalo, New York
's W8XH
, WBEN
's ultra short wave station, became the first 5-meter station to air a regular schedule. It is a direct predecessor of current Buffalo FM adult contemporary station WTSS
. In 1936, Milwaukee
's W9XAZ (a service of The Milwaukee Journal's WTMJ (AM)
) became the first Apex station to originate its own programming on a regular basis. By 1939, Apex stations were operating in 34 cities in 22 states. Apex radio broadcasting's goal of high fidelity sound was later realized by frequency modulation
(FM), which operated at 42–50 MHz (later 88–106 MHz, 88–108 MHz later still, and currently 87.8–108 MHz), immediately above the Apex band of frequencies. The FCC in 1939 began encouraging Apex stations broadcasting in AM to consider the change to the technically superior FM system.
AM
Am or am may refer to:* Americium, a chemical element with symbol Am* Attometre , a unit of length * A minor , a minor chord in music* am, a form of the verb to be used as a Copula...
modulation (as opposed to traditional AM broadcasting's narrowband modulation) to achieve high fidelity sound with less static and distortion than medium wave AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
stations in the so-called standard broadcast band (then, 545-1505 Khz) experience. They were called "apex", "skyscraper" or "pinnacle" stations because of the height of the broadcast antennas
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
used.
The Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
thought initially that very high frequency (VHF) radio waves would have a small, discrete range, and would allow two or more stations to broadcast on duplicate frequencies without interfering with each other. But later it was realized that during peaks in the 11-year sunspot cycle even VHF radio waves could reflect from the ionosphere, and Apex station signals could sometimes be heard on the other side of the planet. In October 1937, the FCC made public its allocation plan for VHF radio broadcasting: 75 channels with 40 kHz separation on 41.02 to 43.98 MHz for Apex stations and 16 channels in 30-40 MHz for relay stations. Twenty-five of the 75 channels were reallocated for educational use in 1938.
Until the late 1930s, commercially-made radio receivers did not operate within that band of frequencies, so early listeners to Apex stations used self-built receivers, or built converters for existing models.
Most Apex stations operated under experimental licenses, and were affiliated with and subsidized by commercially licensed stations. In 1934, Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
's W8XH
WTSS
-History:The station now known as WTSS actually began as early as 1934 as W8XH, an ultra-shortwave radio station operating as a sister outlet to The Buffalo Evening News and AM station WBEN and broadcasting at a wavelength of 5 meters , predating the country's first FM station by three years. The...
, WBEN
WBEN (AM)
WBEN is an AM and FM radio station serving the Niagara, Buffalo and Western New York area, broadcasting on 930 AM and, as of April 5, 2011, simulcasting on sister station WLKK at 107.7 FM. It previously simulcasted between 1946 and 1960 on 102.5 FM as WBEN-FM. Both stations retained the WBEN...
's ultra short wave station, became the first 5-meter station to air a regular schedule. It is a direct predecessor of current Buffalo FM adult contemporary station WTSS
WTSS
-History:The station now known as WTSS actually began as early as 1934 as W8XH, an ultra-shortwave radio station operating as a sister outlet to The Buffalo Evening News and AM station WBEN and broadcasting at a wavelength of 5 meters , predating the country's first FM station by three years. The...
. In 1936, Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
's W9XAZ (a service of The Milwaukee Journal's WTMJ (AM)
WTMJ (AM)
WTMJ is a radio station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin broadcasting at 620 AM. It is a 50,000-watt station airing a format of news, talk and sports. WTMJ is owned by Journal Broadcast Group, which also owns the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and sister station WLWK-FM....
) became the first Apex station to originate its own programming on a regular basis. By 1939, Apex stations were operating in 34 cities in 22 states. Apex radio broadcasting's goal of high fidelity sound was later realized by frequency modulation
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
(FM), which operated at 42–50 MHz (later 88–106 MHz, 88–108 MHz later still, and currently 87.8–108 MHz), immediately above the Apex band of frequencies. The FCC in 1939 began encouraging Apex stations broadcasting in AM to consider the change to the technically superior FM system.