The 'soft' tube

[Panrock]

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.

Memories! I had forgotten when it was that I first encountered you Jeffrey. For some reason, I had this idea you were in the Standards Converters Area on the 5th floor at the BBC Television Centre.

If we met at the Festival Hall in '86, you may also have met Terry Harvey who was working alongside me. He was a Canadian engineer, seconded to the BBC who had become a good friend, and who restored the Baird T18 that had previously passed through my hands and was the set shown at the BBC's 405-line closedown in early 1985.

I found that I could increase emission by positioning an ion trap magnet near the cathode. I assume that emissive areas that are normally out view have now become in view.

Peter

This is remarkable work! Well done!

Steve