A portable television set is front page news in the Mirror. Clifford Davis reports that “The carry it around television set is here. It can be set up and watched in moving buses, cars and trains.” This is one of the products unveiled at the National Radio Show in Earls Court, and it has been developed by E. K. Cole Ltd of Southend. The set weighs about 30lb, works within a 30 mile radius of a transmitter in a built-up area, further afield in flat country. It is 13″ high, 10½” wide and 15″ deep and the screen itself is 9″ diagonally. It can be powered from a 12-volt car battery, which will provide enough juice for 10 hours of use, or it can be plugged into the mains. It comes with its own collapsible aerial but also has a socket for an external aerial. In addition to television programmes, it can also receive radio broadcasts and will be priced at around £60.
The Guardian records that the BBC’s Appeals Advisory Committee have recommended that the corporation allow appeals for charity on their television service. The BBC announced that from next year there will be a short appeal on one Sunday each quarter.
The same paper reports that from next week it will be an offence to “cause or permit to be caused” interference with radio or television reception from electric motors or refrigerators. Such appliances will need to be fitted with an effective suppressor if they cause interference to neighbours’ sets. In the case of refrigerators, all those offered for sale or hire after 1 September must comply with the appropriate suppression requirements.
The report then quotes a GPO official who explained what action a victim of interference should take:
He should first go to his port office and ask for one of the leaflets being issued on the subject. This gives information on various forms of interference and how to deal with it. If, with the help of this, he is unable to clear up the interference, he should fill in the form supplied with the leaflet and send it to the Post Office, which will then investigate the matter.
No one will be obliged to fit a suppressor unless called upon to do so by the Post Office.