The Key West Citizen Newspaper, June 7, 1954, Page 7

| WTVJ-Ushers New Era In Key West Television Announcing Official Opening — SPECIAL THREE DAY OFFER LIMIT ONE TO A FAMILY MON., TUES. and WED. - $8.00 Value Beautiful Platinum Tone Portrait reer BiG ae we a $1.00 DON RAY PORTRAIT STUDIO 705 DUVAL STREET OPEN DAILY, 12 NOON TO 9 P.M. [KEY WEST OUTBOARD Sales and Service 116 Eaton Street .»- For The Best In... Outboard Motors — Boats — Tackle RAYMOND MALONEY, Owner TELEPHONE 2.3715 SALES - SERVICE AND ACCESSORIES HARLEY-DAVIDSON AGENCY (REET Frede Aunapu, Dealer BELL TAXI COMPANY 2 - 6631 (24-Hour Prompt, Courteous Service LOUIS GONZALEZ - FLONEY PELLICER, Owners PHONE ‘2.5353 OVERSEAS CYCLE STORE 1030 Eaton Street Phone 2-6016 Bicycles Sold - Rented - Repaired ROYAL HUNTER ENGLISH-BUILT MEN‘S AND LADIES’ LIGHTWEIGHT BICYCLES, with Front and Rear Hand Brakes . Sturmy-Archer, 3-Speed Rear Drive, Complete with Accessories. ....... WE HAVE ALL SIZES OF SCHWINN BALLOON TIRE BICYCLES, from ....... ; We Repair... ALL MAKES of American and English Made BICYCLES ALL PARTS AND ACCESSORIES IN STOCK ALTMAN'S FURNITURE CO. 900 Duval Street “Furnishings For The Complete Home” Father’s Day ---- June 20 Plan for HIS Comfort Now— GIVE HIM A CHAIR .HE CAN RELAX IN —Office or Den Furniture He'll Be Proud to Show Off and Happy to Live With Choose Dad’s Perfect Present From-Our Choice Collection SEE ee Pratt’s Radio And TV Service Has Facilities And Experience Needed For Installing Sets Here , By BILL GIBB Somewhat belatedly, Key West is finally entering into the era‘of television. WTVJ's 1,000-foot tower in Miami can be credited for the improved reception and aroused interest in TV here. During the past week (WTVJ resumed operation Tues- day, June 1, after a minor bretkdown), television masts and antennas have been sprouting from the roofs of homes, trailers, and busifiess houses. Owners of sets report that “pictures are good” and that intereference ffom Cubza is nil. .. Bill Pratt, owner of Pratt's Radio and Television Service, takes the boom in his type of work with a nonchalant man- ner. “We knew it was coming,” Pratt says. ‘Television had ‘to craw! before it could walk’ but even during the years of poor reception here in Key West many people continued to buy sets. : “WTV]'s success will be an incentive to other'stations to increase their power and I haven't the slightest doubt that residents in this section will soon receive ‘pictures’ as clear and good as in any other part of the nation.” j Pratt is a man who should know what he is talking about. He has had fifteen years experience with radar, electronics, sonar, or what have you. In 1935, he graduated from the National Radio Institute and has spent most of the intervening years working for the Navy. New Store And Shop About three months ago, Bill Pratt opened up his new store and shop at 614 Greene Street. He has two assistants and the combined years of experience for the three totals up to 45. That's a lot of time. It isn't much wonder that they are all considered top-notch technicians! T asked Bill if he had any advice to give new purchasers of TV equipment—especially with regard to the protection of masts and antennas during the stormy season. Bill grinned, “What's that old saying you quoted one time in your column—'Nothing is given so profusely as ad- vice.' I wouldn't want to stick my neck out by offering ad- vice to the general public. However, I'll tell you what I recommend to my customers. “You know, if we ever have a storm here, there aren't enough radio and TV men in all of Key West to take care of the situation. Therefore, my recommended installations are fixed so that the customer himself can lower the an- tenna to ten feet and remove it in bad weather. I kind of figure it is better to be safe than sorry and in the past, quite a few masts have been badly bent just by squally weather.” Pratt seems to have a good idea there. Of course, he will install any type of mast and antenna that his customers desire but those of us who have gone through a few near- miss hurricanes will probably be more than glad to permit him to follow his own recommended procedures. . , Television Sizes For general home use, the smallest television screen available is 17 inches—the largest is 27 inches. You can get TV sets now that will harmonize with any type of room furnishings. : Pratt's Radio and Television Service sells several dif- ferent makes—enough so that there is no reason for a cus- tomer not being able. to select what he wants. Amonq the different kinds, there are Admirals — Zeniths — GEs — Philcos — and RCAs. ” Television users and potential buyers might be inter- ested to know that the tendency of manufacturers is to make sets more and more compact. In many models, the face of. say a 17-inch tube, extends out almost to the very edge of © the cabinet. Besides providing for compactness, this helps to make the set lighter and more maneuverable. Says one large manufacturer of television receivers: “The time-is coming when TV sets will be part of the furni- ture of every room in the house. This will permit Dad to . look at the fights while Junior or Mom watch the programs of their choice.” Bill Pratt isn’t as optimistic about this condition as the manufacturers. “I don't think it will be long before every- oné will be able to enjoy television,” he says, “but it will be quite a few years before you see sets located in kitchens and bedrooms. Right now, TV provides family recreation and most fathers, mothers, and children share the enjoy- ment of the same program.” Accessories "What's needed in the way of accessories?” I asked Pratt. > He replied “Antennas — rollers — boosters — masts — we sell and install all of these. It is difficult to say what is really ‘needed’ until you've talked with a customer and found out what he prefers. “Good reception can bé had with a minimum of acces- sories but some folks who are TV enthusiasts want every- thing in the book. These last kind of people are usually those who have been connected with electronics and wish to experiment as much as anything else. “Pratt's Radio and Television Service strives to please and we meet the customer's wishes to the best of our ability. Much of our work comes from recommendations by satisfied customers, so, naturally, we're mighty careful not to violate confidence placed in us by these friends. That is why I was willing to tell you a few minutes ago about my recom- mended installation of antennas even though it may be considered sort of useful information to my competitors.” All Types Of Repairs It is natural that Pratt's is pushing television at the present time. People have read and heard a lot about Miami's WTVJ, Channel 4. However, it should not be for- gotten that Bill Pratt is also a specialist in radio repair work —all kinds, all models, all troubles. As a graduate of the National Radio Institute, he is well-qualified to handle this type of work. If your present radio is on the ‘blink,’ Pratt says, “bring it down to 614 - Greene Street (behind the old Red Brick Garage), or tele- phone 2-7512. Our service truck is available for quick calls.” Pratt's is opened trom nine o'clock in the morning until five o'clock in the evening. You folks who have been waiting so long for television to become a practicality in Key West will probably want to contact him for sales or sexvice, so I'll repeat the address: Pratt's Radio and Television Service, 614 Greene Street. Telephone 2-7512. * @ Bait and Tackle e Monday, June 7, 1954 THE KEY WEST CITIZEN Page? 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