The 'soft' tube

[ppppenguin]

In 1986 when I steered a pre-war EMI 6/6 through rebuild the picture was disappointingly soft when I first ran it in a set. After an hour or 2 it was superb. I had activated the cathode on a test rig beforehand but presumably not enough to bring it up to full emission.

Do you know where this tube is today, Jeffrey?  How has it fared?

It was in the HMV900 that was at Thorn-EMI Central Research Labs little museum. When that closed it was transferred to Bradford where it was in store for many years. It should be at the Science Museum's Wroughton store now. Probably not been run since 1989. I haven't seen it since 1987.

It was my time at Thorn-EMI CRL in the mid 1980s that marked the real start of my interest in vintage TV. Before then I had been working with old TV equipment for some years out of necessity as the engineer behind the TV studio at my old school. (William Elliis, Highgate)

I joined the BVWS in 1986, went to Gerry's garden party and Harpenden in June that year. Also met John Gillies and you (Steve) for the first time at the exhibition you staged at the Royal Festival Hall for TV50.