[Heatercathodeshort]

They were cheap to manufacture and sold in large quantities. Ekco would not supply spares to non Ekco dealers so were difficult to obtain. I think they sold for 35/- [£1.75] back in those days but you will have to check the D & B full page adverts in Practical television to confirm. [1962/66]. The genuine Ekco transformer was double that price. D & B sold large quantities to TAM [Television Audience Measurement] a company that supplied special EKCO receivers to the public that were able to record which channels were being watched, so that advertising space could be charged accordingly.

Remember a 10/- [50p] profit on a component back then represented a fair return.

Many of the cores were obtained very cheaply on the manufacturers surplus markets and insulating materials such as pitch were provided free from companies such as Berry Wiggins providing we filled in a 'performance sheet'. I well remember the ancient 8 wheel Foden flatbed lorry that used to deliver the heavy cans of solid pitch.

I have scanned a few pages from my rewind book together with my rather crude jottings. I was around 14 at the time. John.
Oh dear..Was it really that long ago?
Just to add. D&B Television were spares suppliers to the trade and retail. They also sold reconditioned receivers.