Wireless Licence

[Ponytail]

Wireless Licence 1923/4  15/-

 

[Edmund]

In 1923 the licence for a "shop bought" wireless set, marked with the B.B.C. stamp was 10 shillings.  If because of lack of funds, or enthusiasm, you were to construct your own set, the licence (as above) using ONLY British made components, was 15 shillings.  The 15/- licence was first introduced in October 1923, as a measure to legalise listeners using the B.B.C. services with no licence, which probably explains the survival of this example.  The Post Office clerks were overwhelmed by the demand, and put forward an example where "one counter-clerk became so overcome by the rush for wireless licences that his brain gave way and he committed suicide".

Prior to licensing, a levy was charged on the sale of manufactured wireless sets, those making their own were "pirates".

[Ponytail]

1 hour ago, Edmund said:

In 1923 the licence for a "shop bought" wireless set, marked with the B.B.C. stamp was 10 shillings.  If because of lack of funds, or enthusiasm, you were to construct your own set, the licence (as above) using ONLY British made components, was 15 shillings.  The 15/- licence was first introduced in October 1923, as a measure to legalise listeners using the B.B.C. services with no licence, which probably explains the survival of this example.  The Post Office clerks were overwhelmed by the demand, and put forward an example where "one counter-clerk became so overcome by the rush for wireless licences that his brain gave way and he committed suicide".

Prior to licensing, a levy was charged on the sale of manufactured wireless sets, those making their own were "pirates".

Thank you, he loved to tinker with, electrics, motors etc. Amazing what you learn by posting items, everything has a story. It's provoked a memory of something mum said when she was once exasperated with him in his old age "bits and pieces all over his tablecloth, he once made his own wireless, whatever you do don't touch any of his electrics he'll have been messing with em." 😂🤣

[Lysanderix]

My granddad was also a wireless tinkerer. When the large radio set they had broke down ….which to me ,as a small boy ,seemed quite frequently….he would bring out his home made contraption…his “whispering wireless” so as to hear the news. There was scarcely any volume , he would place his ear as close as he could to the receiver….so the rest of the household had to ask him “what’s new”?

He had a tin box with spare valves and goodness knows what else….if none of these repaired the set he would acquire, from somewhere, the requisite bit and ,hey presto , we could all listen to Workers Playtime…and the news!

[MartinR]

Could “whispering wireless” have been a "whisker wireless"?  If so it would be a cat's whisker type or "crystal set".  Most cat's whisker radios didn't include any amplification and so were very quiet, listened to on headphones.  When solid state diodes came in they had a resurgence as a curiosity and for impoverished young boys.

[Lysanderix]

It could well have been….I know Mum always called it his “whispering wireless.”

[MartinR]

This wikipedia article mentions cat's whisker type radios.  This ebay page shows an example of a modern crystal set, the direct descendant of a cat's whisker type.

[Athy]

Was the wireless licence discontinued when the prevalence of trannies - early '60s? - made it unenforceable?

[Edmund]

Radio licences for home and car were abolished on 1st February 1971.  However, prior to that portable sets were covered by a licence for the home. 

[MartinR]

From the resumption of TV broadcasting in 1946, the TV licence included the radio license.  By 1971 virtually all homes had a TV and the radio licence was abolished as uneconomic to collect.

[Athy]

47 minutes ago, Edmund said:

Radio licences for home and car were abolished on 1st February 1971.  However, prior to that portable sets were covered by a licence for the home. 

Good info, thank you.

[Athy]

1 hour ago, MartinR said:

, the TV licence included the radio license. 

Make yer mind up!

[MartinR]

Oops!  I meant "wireless licence"😇 of course, there must have been some American influence seeping across the pond.☹️