当晚间现场电视报导的微波通讯失效时,可用大气激光系统来接替。在芝加哥的视线激光通讯系统就是伊利诺斯贝尔公司作为普通微波电视传输系统设备备用品而建立的。国家广播公司就是使用这种微波系统向全国传送选举的报导。伊利诺斯贝尔公司向General Optronics公司购买了激光系统。在选举晚上紧张使用前,他们只对该系统进行了简单的试验。据该公司技术经理G.Trunkemiller说,“当微波通道被竞争者干扰时,我们就改用激光系统”。他说微波频率阻塞在芝加哥市区是一个很普遍的问题。激光系统从Hancock大楼发射电视信号,把它传送到另一幢楼,在这里,美国电报电话公司再接收和分配电视信号。 Atmospheric laser systems can be used to take over when the microwave communication reported by the live television fails during the night. The Chicago Sight Laser Communication System was built by Illinois Bell as a backup appliance for an ordinary microwave television transmission system. NBC is using the microwave system to send electoral coverage throughout the country. Illinois Bell bought a laser system from General Optronics. Before the election night intense use, they only conducted a simple test of the system. According to G. Trunkemiller, the company’s technology manager, “When the microwave channel was interfered by competitors, we switched to laser systems.” He said blocking microwave frequencies in downtown Chicago is a common problem. The laser system transmits the television signal from Hancock Tower and sends it to another building, where AT & T receives and distributes the television signal again.