null
Toggle menu
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Click for details)
Toggle menu
1-855-215-2914
Aviation Oil Outlet
Log In Create an Account Quote Request Credit Application Contact Us
View Cart Cart
loginLogin
Cart Cart

HOME OUR PRODUCTS OUR MISSION CUSTOMER SERVICE VIDEO BLOG
sun-n-fun logo
sun-n-fun countdown
Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet
  • Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
      • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
      • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Turbine Oil
    • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
    • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
    • Aviation Greases
  • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
      • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
    • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
      • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
    • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
      • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
      • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
      • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
    • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
    • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
      • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
      • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
      • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
  • Sanitary Products
  • Bookmark Our Site
  • Get Aviation Oil Outlet's FREE Web App
  • PayPal Resource Page
  • Credit Application
  • Shipping Information
  • Our Products
  • Our Mission
  • Customer Service
  • Video
  • Blog
  • Return Policy
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Quote Request
  • Terms and Conditions of Online Sales
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Shop By Brands
  • Login Create an Account
  • Blog
  • Site Map
The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
Back to Blog Homepage
Whatever Happened to Stratovision?

Whatever Happened to Stratovision?

By Kayleigh DeMace on Apr 19th 2017

Airborne television broadcasting is not a thing of the past, but in the past it was the thing. In October of 1945, Radio Craft Magazine introduced the concept (read the full issue here!).

In early 1940s, not many places in the country had access to television, and Stratovision wanted to change that.

Introducing Stratovision!

C.E. Nobles introduced the concept in 1945 as a means of transmitting television signals around the country. His plan stated that a total of fourteen aircraft would fly in specific locations at an elevation of 30,000 feet. They would eventually orbit their designated location transmitting VHF and UHF television signals and FM broadcasts.

The aircraft would each cover an area of 422 miles in diameter. Because no mountain or other land masses were in the way, the aircraft would use less power than stations on the ground that would need to overcome terrain.

A network between aircraft would transmit programs from Los Angeles and New York and vice versa. The fourteen proposed aircraft would transmit television broadcasts to 78% of the country's population. Each plane would broadcast four television signals as well as five FM signals.

"Still another advantage of the plan-one of special interest to engineers concerned with television and FM relay systems-is the fact that Stratovision will drastically reduce distortion resulting from repeated amplification." -Radio Craft Magazine, Ovrober 1945


Things looked promising, so testing began.

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3


Tests were conducted in 1948-1949, including a broadcast of the one-hour Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. The test proved that the aircraft could transmit signals to small and farm towns, successfully broadcasting to a receiver in Zanesville, Ohio via antennas that were located underneath the aircraft.

Despite tests though, the broadcasting system never took off in the way it intended to. Around the same time of its conception and testing, broadcasting stations were implemented nationwide. Network cables and signals were set up and, once they were in place and working, there was no need for another means of transmission.



This wasn't the end for Stratovision, though. It was utilized and still is in specialized areas. In the 1960s, Stratovision transmitted educational programs two DC-6AB aircraft in Indiana, covering 200 miles, including Chicago and Detroit.

War-Time Operations


In the late '60s and early '70s, the U.S. Navy used Stratovision planes to broadcast in South Vietnam-they broadcast one channel to the Vietnamese and another to U.S. servicemen for entertainment. Some of the broadest entertainment included The Ed Sullivan Show, the Tonight Show, and Bonanza and Saigon government programs.

Stratovision was used more recently in the Iraq War, where information was transmitted over both television and radio frequencies.

The military continues to use Stratovision today, though mostly for radio programming. The original aircraft used for testing included a twin-engine PV-2 aircraft, a B-29 Superfortress and the DC-6AB aircraft, Lockheed Super Constellations, and EC-130J Commando Solo.


Sources: 


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratovision
http://www.earlytelevision.org/stratovision.html
http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Craft/1940s/Radio-Craft-1945-10.pdf
http://onetuberadio.com/2015/10/16/stratovision-airborne-tv-broadcasting/ 

  • #General Aviation
  • #B-29
  • #B-29 Superfortress
  • #boeing b-29
  • #DC-6AB
  • #PV-2
  • #radio broadcasting
  • #Stratovision
  • #Superfortress
  • #television broadcasting
  • #twin-engine PV-2
  • #what happened to Stratovision
  • #What is Stratovision
  • #Who invented Stratovision
  • #why didnt Stratovision wor

You might also be interested in:


Newsletter | May 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on May 5th 2022

Another Year in the Books! Sun 'N Fun 22 Edition
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | April 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Apr 8th 2022

AeroShell Aviation Grease Grease 5 amber colored, high temperature grease composed of a…
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | March 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Mar 4th 2022

Recommendations for Infrequently Flown Aircraft Ideally, aircraft engines should be use…
monthly newsletter
!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

aoo logo
Aviation Oil Outlet
454 South Main Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
United States of America

1-855-215-2914

Information

  • About Us
  • Brands
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Information
  • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
  • Terms of Use
  • Video Library

Customer Service

  • Contact
  • Credit Application
  • Quote Request
  • Returns
  • Sitemap

Account

  • Account
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Order History

© 2022 Aviation Oil Outlet

payment method icons Bizrate
​