[BC] RE: question for you engineers

[tpt at literock93r.com]

With codecs and satellite feeds, we forget that network radio survived  
for many years on wired, equalized loops from A. T & T.  I can  
remember winter Saturdays when I was working at my college radio  
station, when I had to make the call to Ma Bell because the "loop" for  
the Metropolitan Opera broadcast was down.  Sometimes getting things  
straightened out just in time to hear Milton Cross announce "Texaco  
brings you the Metropolitan Opera from New York."

Remember that a number of the major regional stations originated live  
programs for the networks as well. The "Grand Old Opry" in Nashville  
from WSM, as well as other country music programs from regional  
powerhouses WWVA,Wheeling and KWKH Shreveport come to mind.

So the return loops to NY were already in place.

While it would have certainly been possible to design a hybrid circuit  
in the 30's, given that Ma Bell resisted the installation of any such  
devices well into the '60's, I doubt that telephone calls were the  
source of listener questions.  More likely, audience members were  
invited to come hear the broadcast at the local station, and  
(pre-screened) participants were invited to step up to the mike on cue  
to present their question.  Which was then sent back down the line to  
NY where it was mixed with the local broadcast.