05-07-2017, 08:37 AM
Didn't I read somewhere - possibly on here - recently that the BBC were constrained by the GPO's monopoly - which was jealously guarded - which meant that the BBC were unable to use alternative distribution methods so long as the GPO could provide a link. The GPO's attitude was, basically, 'You get what your given, whether it's what you want or not!'
My college obtained an NTSC flying spot slide scanner from STC - allegedly fire damaged - following a fire at their Footscray factory although there was no evidence of any such damage. With the UK having decided to adopt PAL it was probably a good wheeze to get rid of it and, presumably, replace it with something more modern.
As the college had two 21" RCA NTSC colour sets they wanted to demonstrate them at the Dagenham Town Show using slides from the scanner back at the college. Fortunately there was line of sight between the the college and the show ground and someone sourced suitable microwave equipment for which the GPO issued a temporary licence.
When the GPO were asked to renew the licence the following year, the attitude was that the college had now had sufficient time to install a permanent (GPO!) link if they still needed it! I think it was grudgingly renewed but by the following year the colour service had started and colour was no longer such a novelty. In any case, they also had a 21" Ekco NTSC set that I'd converted to simple PAL but, as I'd already left the college by then, I rather lost the plot.
My college obtained an NTSC flying spot slide scanner from STC - allegedly fire damaged - following a fire at their Footscray factory although there was no evidence of any such damage. With the UK having decided to adopt PAL it was probably a good wheeze to get rid of it and, presumably, replace it with something more modern.
As the college had two 21" RCA NTSC colour sets they wanted to demonstrate them at the Dagenham Town Show using slides from the scanner back at the college. Fortunately there was line of sight between the the college and the show ground and someone sourced suitable microwave equipment for which the GPO issued a temporary licence.
When the GPO were asked to renew the licence the following year, the attitude was that the college had now had sufficient time to install a permanent (GPO!) link if they still needed it! I think it was grudgingly renewed but by the following year the colour service had started and colour was no longer such a novelty. In any case, they also had a 21" Ekco NTSC set that I'd converted to simple PAL but, as I'd already left the college by then, I rather lost the plot.
