Some Engineering Aspects of Portable Television Pick-Ups--

The routine of portable television programing may be termed "applied" television engineering. The preceding is hardly more than a byplay of words, but is intended to convey the impression of an engineering technique evolved to put a program across regardless of extenuating circumstances. The emphasis is not on engineering, but on the program, with engineering as one of the tools used in accomplishing the program. - The essentials of the technique are set forth. Proper preparation requires constant servicing of equipment when the latter and staff are available. A pre-program test several hours before program time is essential to consistent performance and allows reasonable time for correcting installation or transportation-caused faults. A suitable equipment "warm-up" period precedes the program. Service failures during the program are usually unpredictable but must be met by prompt diagnosis and repair. A thorough knowledge of the many circuits, normal and abnormal operational characteristics thereof, and the "knack" of finding trouble are requisites of this aspect. - Experience in the technique eliminates certain difficulties by methodical preparation. The television engineering attributes of a program location are tested and recorded prior to the arrival of equipment. Voltmeter, dummy load, photometer, field glasses, and photographic camera comprise the preliminary lest equipment. - Significant experiences in televising 140 separate portable programs of the Don Lee Television Station, W6XAO, Hollywood, are recited.