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Old 27th Oct 2011, 10:37 pm   #1
AidanLunn
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Default BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

I've not seen this posted today, so I thought it would interest some here:

Quote:
BBC News

A Norwich man has turned a boyhood passion for tinkering with old televisions into a thriving business.

Rob Howard breathes new life into ancient black-and-white televisions at his city workshop, allowing the old-style sets to receive today's digital transmissions.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-15478670
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Old 27th Oct 2011, 11:15 pm   #2
murphyv310
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Hi Aidan.
Nice collection indeed.
The workshop is very clinical though, where are the old scrap chassis and mugs of tea, the sets on soak test and other service aids? Perhaps I am getting cynical in my old age?
Oh well I suppose we all work differently.
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 8:19 am   #3
mark pirate
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Quote:
The workshop is very clinical though, where are the old scrap chassis and mugs of tea, the sets on soak test and other service aids? Perhaps I am getting cynical in my old age?
I have to agree, my workshop is only 15 months old, but has the look and smell of years of use, shelves full of parts and test equipment all very haphazard, but I can usually find what I am looking for

Mark
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 8:34 am   #4
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

It's lacking a VALOR paraffin heater with an encrusted kettle sitting on top of it. It's not quite the same somehow..John.
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 11:00 am   #5
Brigham
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

That's the 'other' smell in a TV repair shop! I'd forgotten about that!
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 12:01 pm   #6
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

I can fill in a bit of background info for you all as Mr Howard is local to me.
The Valor paraffin stove was just out of shot and the spares/repair chassis are stored in the next room along with the tea-making facilities. It is a very small workshop!

Rick.
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 12:07 pm   #7
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

I think this website relates to the company:-

http://www.vintagetvandwireless.com
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 1:06 pm   #8
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Hi
Mind you, I remember having a visit from a TV company and suddenly my workshop was clean and tidy! Yes, really....
I see he offers a free two-year guarantee on his restored sets. Must go to Currys and see if I can get one on a brand new LCD set!
Quite an informed article for once.
Glyn
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 10:57 pm   #9
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

At least he seems to be doing it properly and not ripping the innards out and fitting a modern chassis.



Rich
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Old 28th Oct 2011, 11:29 pm   #10
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

I knew John Halford very well when I worked there - he's a thoroughly decent chap, and has a somewhat more technical background than a lot of of the other journalists, so it's not surprising they sent him along.

Mark
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 9:44 am   #11
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Good morning Chaps.

Thanks for the nice comments.

A few things though........

Trevor... Its messy, he was clever with the camera shots! I had also had a tidy up! I didn't fancy a BBC reporter tripping up on a scrap chassis and dropping his rather expensive Sony digital camera!
I wish I could work a little more tidy-I feel better though knowing all you guys have the same messy affliction!

John... We have paraffin as Rick mentioned, I haven't lit it this year yet I'm using another suitably ancient heater but a 'lecy' one. Not long until we spark the paraffin up though.
I have attached a few pictures of the organised chaos!

Mark... I concur- John Halford is a great chap...he showed lots of interest.

Thanks again chaps.

Rob
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 9:45 am   #12
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

a few more pics........
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 10:07 am   #13
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Hi Rob.
That's more like it! Certainly a good old collection and indeed a good article. Before I recently started a new job it had been the busiest year for vintage repairs ever for me with 12 jobs in 8 months, it doesn't sound a lot but when you consider some of the big ones like a Murphy V280 from Aberdeen a Pye Trio from Yorkshire and an HMV radiogram from Cornwall plus all the other smaller jobs it isn't bad as I don't advertise!
I am glad to see that there are some really good engineers out there keeping these old sets going.
Well done to you and to a nice article.
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 11:04 am   #14
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Hi Rob

You did an excellent job with the interview and came across really well.

You have a nice set up!

Ian
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 11:54 am   #15
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Is John Halford in any way related to Frank Halford? In which case the engineering interest could be in the blood.

TimR
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 1:38 pm   #16
M0FYA Andy
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

This talk of paraffin heaters has me worried - any heater which burns fuel and doesn't have an external flue is pouring moisture into the air in the room - just what you don't want when the heater is turned off, the room cools and it all condenses.............
Andy
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 2:18 pm   #17
Welsh Anorak
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Hi
Andy's right - I remember my Dad had one in his workshop and the tools would be coated the next day. Evocative smell, though!
Glyn
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 3:10 pm   #18
murphyv310
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Hi.
All the old workshops had a paraffin heater, it of course caused consternation in the morning with all those sets on soak test spraying all over the place, mind you all that corona discharge sure killed off the smell of paraffin.
Happy Days!
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 3:34 pm   #19
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

At over £7 for 5 litres its an expensive way of heating these days.
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Old 29th Oct 2011, 6:52 pm   #20
rob77
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Default Re: BBC News video: "'Time warp TV sets the best' says restorer"

Boy!! £7 a gallon!!!!!
I pay £3.90! and that lasts a week.
Compare that to a 3 KW juice eater at 19p per unit...plus I love the smell.

Regarding the condensation... there are so many drafty holes in the workshop that I've never suffered.

My last workshop was bad though, lots of lovely fizzzzzing from the EHT caps!! Ummmmm Ozone!!

BW
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