UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Fifty Years of Colour Television in the UK

camtechman · 3rd Dec 2017, 1:21 pm

I was working at Ferguson's (Enfield) in the Quality Control & Soak Test departnent at that time.

I remember the panic & fuss involved in our department to get a "Baird" branded 19" model, fitted in a hand made cabinet to HM's choice of wood & it had to be fully tested & extra soak tested. It required several parts to be changed (due to failure) and re, re, re tested !

They even made a leather covered shade (that fitted over the front to reduce any light falling on the screen)

Sir Jules himself was to deliver the TV to the Palace !!

Two weeks later it was returned after catching fire and the panic ensued for 2 weeks until another one was delivered !

In Sir Jules words: "And This One Had Better ******* Work !!! "

(We had to have 6 sets on constant test just in case)

Even the tube had to be selected to make to sure it was free from any phosphor blockages on screen. We didn't handle that but many people were involved in working overtime, testing tube after tube. Also convergence was a problem that had to be near damn perfect too !

3rd Dec 2017, 1:21 pm	#7
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Fifty Years of Colour Television in the UK I was working at Ferguson's (Enfield) in the Quality Control & Soak Test departnent at that time. I remember the panic & fuss involved in our department to get a "Baird" branded 19" model, fitted in a hand made cabinet to HM's choice of wood & it had to be fully tested & extra soak tested. It required several parts to be changed (due to failure) and re, re, re tested ! They even made a leather covered shade (that fitted over the front to reduce any light falling on the screen) Sir Jules himself was to deliver the TV to the Palace !! Two weeks later it was returned after catching fire and the panic ensued for 2 weeks until another one was delivered ! In Sir Jules words: *"And This One Had Better *** Work !!! "* (We had to have 6 sets on constant test just in case) Even the tube had to be selected to make to sure it was free from any phosphor blockages on screen. We didn't handle that but many people were involved in working overtime, testing tube after tube. Also convergence was a problem that had to be near damn perfect too ! __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it! Last edited by camtechman; 3rd Dec 2017 at 1:40 pm.