BBC TV OB COMMS:
I joined the BBC in 1983 and trained in Evesham on the A108 course. After a 'tour' of TV Centre I was attached to BBC TV Outside Broadcast Communications for the next 7 years. Below are the names of many of the engineers I worked with. Based in Acton, we had 30 engineers plus test room and office staff. We supported Tel OBs for all live outside broadcasts including marathons, Wimbledon, tennis, golf, cricket, football, etc. The department was eventually sold off and then disbanded to private subcontractors.
Here is a link to some photos of those good old days: https://photos.app.goo.gl/x499hXmV3GiZojfA7
Summary of lingering memories: Gortex jackets, trousers and steel toe cap boots. Hanks of sash and tins of Colclean. Pimply gloves. Carrying tripods on your shoulder up stairs or pulling them up by rope and pulley. Tripod feet & clamps, L brackets, sliding head units into place. Cleaning polypole ends, running drums of 200 feet. Van roof handrails, 4 foot dishes and microwave feeds. Dipoles and feeders. Storno base stations and RTs. Portable diesel generators. Lots of tea, beer and curry.
A Taste of Tel OB Comms - read more here about life in Comms.
I hope you enjoyed this trip into the past. Contact me with your memories at markvesey@gmail.com
Sample Diary of work: 1988.
Walbury Hill, Newcastle, Abingdon, Twickenham, Earls Court, Luton, Boat Race, Chertsey, Swains Lane, Crystal Palace, Croydon, Brands Hatch, Warden Hill, Chanctonbury Ring, Farnborough, Hilton Hotel, St Andrews, Henfield, Southampton, Wimbledon, Oxford, Kettering, Cambridge.