Chapter 8-Radio

Question 1

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Answer 1

The range of frequencies that can be used for transmitting radio waves with electricity.

Question 2

Morse Code

Answer 2

Telegraph code of dots and dashes invented by Samuel Morse.

Question 3

Broadcasting

Answer 3

Using wireless technology to instantaneously reach a wide audience.

Question 4

Wireless Telegraphy

Answer 4

Name for early radio transmissions, before human voices could be carried on the airwaves.

Question 5

Audition

Answer 5

A tube invented by Lee De Forest that was designed to pick up and amplify radio signals; also known as a vacuum tube.

Question 6

Toll Broadcasting

Answer 6

Early plan for radio revenue in which access to radio time would be by fee.

Question 7

Sustaining Programming

Answer 7

Regular unsponsored broadcast shows designed to maintain audience contact until advertising can be sold for that time.

Question 8

Network

Answer 8

A group of interconnected broadcast stations that share programming; also, the parent company that supplies that programming.

Question 9

Owned and Operated Stations (O&O’s)

Answer 9

Broadcast stations possessed by and run by the network; they usually carry everything the network provides.

Question 10

Network Affiliate

Answer 10

A local station that has a contractual relationship to air a network’s programming.

Question 11

Spectrum Scarcity

Answer 11

Limited nature of broadcast frequencies.

Question 12

“Public Interest, Convenience, and Necessity”

Answer 12

A phrase from the Radio Act of 1927 requiring that broadcasting be good for the community.

Question 13

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Answer 13

Government agency in charge of regulating all means of interstate telephone and radio communication.

Question 14

Call Letters

Answer 14

Broadcast station identifications assigned by the FCC.

Question 15

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Answer 15

Radio transmissions created by changing (modulating) the power (amplitude) of the carrier wave.

Question 16

Frequency Modulation (FM)

Answer 16

Transmissions created by changing the speed at which radio waves are generated.

Question 17

Transistor

Answer 17

A durable, solid-state, miniature version of the large and fragile vacuum tubes used in early radios.

Question 18

Format

Answer 18

Consistent programming formula with a recognizable sound and personality.

Question 19

Top 40

Answer 19

Radio format in which the current 40 best-selling songs are played in rotation.

Question 20

Analog Radio

Answer 20

Radio transmissions in which an electronic waveform represents the sound on a carrier wave.

Question 21

Digital Radio

Answer 21

Signal transmissions by assigned numbers rather than analog waves.

Question 22

Dayparts

Answer 22

Time divisions that radio stations make in the day in order to schedule appropriate programming.

Question 23

Format Clock

Answer 23

Graphic used by radio programmers showing each feature of the programming hour.

Question 24

Sampling

Answer 24

Measurements taken from a small percentage of the audience, chosen to represent the behavior of the rest of the audience; broadcast ratings are a form of sampling.

Question 25

Turnkey Networks

Answer 25

Companies that provide fully automated around-the-clock programming for radio stations.

Question 26

Public Radio

Answer 26

Broadcast outlets that derive their income from sources other than the sale of advertising time; also known as noncommercial.

Question 27

Shock Jocks

Answer 27

Radio personalities who derive humor and ratings from lewd and tasteless comments, using tactics such as vulgarity, racism, sexism, and cynicism.

Question 28

Pirate Radio Stations

Answer 28

Low-power, unlicensed, illegal stations.

Question 29

Payola

Answer 29

A practice in which record companies paid radio station personnel to play certain records.