In July 1962 President John F. Kennedy signed into law legislation that required that all television receiving sets shipped across state lines be able to adequately receive all UHF as well as VHF frequencies. The goal of this law was to put UHF channels (channels 14 through 83) on a more equal technological footing with the VHF channels (2 through 13). Until this time, virtually all sets manufactured in or imported into the United States were equipped to receive the VHF channels only. Viewers interested in watching UHF channels were required to purchase a cumbersome UHF converter and attach it to their sets. These converters, which resembled metal bow ties and sat atop the receiver, did not allow viewers to "click in" the desired channel. The tuning dial operated fluidly, like a radio tuning knob, and viewers had to literally "tune in" the desired channel. With the commercial networks occupying the VHF channels and viewers disadvantaged in receiving the UHF frequencies, the UHF channels (primarily independent commercial and educational or non-commercial stations) were in danger of extinction. The immediate goal, then, of all-channel legislation was the preservation of these channels. The longer-term goal was the encouragement of diversity (or the creation of "a multitude of tongues") which was a guiding force behind much FCC rule-making at the time.

Therefore, on 12 September 1962, the Commission proposed that any set manufactured in or imported into the U.S. after 30 April 1964 be all-channel equipped. The proposal became an official FCC order on 21 November 1962. Later amendments to FCC rules and regulations specified performance standards for the UHF circuit in the new receivers relating to sound and picture quality.

-Kimberly B. Massey

FURTHER READING

Barnouw, Erik. A History Of Broadcasting in the United States, Volume III: The Image Empire. New York: Oxford University Press, 1970.