I spent the past few days in the Austin/San Antonio area. Found a cool antique mall in Austin, and just as I nearly finished walking the entire area, I came across this GE 14T009 portable... in almost excellent condition! Usually, the only examples of these sets I've come across are typically in rough condition. The only major blemish is a spot on the side above the ventilation where the paint popped off. There are a few scratches, but all minor. The chrome handle is bright and shiny. The knobs are excellent. Hell.... even the rear cover is in good shape!

The price on the tag said 120 bucks, and while that is kinda pricey, I didn't want to go home empty handed. Then, I considered it being red and in such nice condition would likely make it one of those sets that would bring an unusual high price on the Bay. So, I grabbed it and was happy with my purchase. My biggest concern was going to be the condition of the insides.

I got home last night and pulled the rear cover off. Other than a layer of dust, it looked pretty darn good from what I could see. It also looks like the tubes are all original (didn't look in the HV cage yet). Basically, the inside looks just as nice as the outside.

I had a couple of these sets years ago... they were junk sets that weren't worth the effort to restore. I only grabbed them because they were free and I thought I'd get a good CRT at least. Both CRT's were toast. So, I wasn't expecting a lot when I plugged in the tester on this one. To my surprise, with only 4 volts going to the heater, the CRT emissions in this set went well into the green. Then I turned it up to 6.3 volts, and the needle nearly went off the scale! Thinking back, I don't think I've ever had a CRT test with emissions this high. So, it looks like I've got a tube that should produce a nice bright picture.

I thought about trying to plug it in, but, I think I will wait until I get to poke around in there a little bit. I still need to look inside the HV cage and I'd also like to look on the other side of the chassis to make sure nothing looks funky. If all looks well, I might try turning it on. Also, I will be leaving in another week or so to go back to sea, and if I start playing with this set, it will likely distract me from getting things done around here in preparation for leaving. Typically, I am very easily distracted.

I'm going to assume the set wasn't used much. It looks like it may have been serviced once because there was a little piece of a customer tag on a string hanging from the HV cage. The paint that's immediately around the knobs is perfect... no marks to indicate that the knobs had been turned a lot.

Considering the condition of the set and a perfect testing CRT, I am very happy with the purchase.

These things must have sold well in Texas. I've got two reds and an aqua green. Logos on the front seem rather fragile as I only have one that's completely intact and need to make duplicates in epoxy someday.

Earlier, i was looking thru the wants list in the classified section... then went out in the shop to see if I could find a knob someone was looking for. None of my parts are organized at this time, so I really have to dig around when I'm looking for something.

I picked up a box of knobs, and found this behind the box.... another 14T009 just like the one I brought home the other day. However, this one is in poor condition.

Bad thing is, I had no idea it was there. I don't remember putting it there, and really have no clue as to where I got it! The shelf it was on has only been there for a couple of years, so the set couldn't have been there for too long.

Oh well... it was a good discovery anyway... if it turns out i need a part to fix the one I brought home the other day, at least now I know I have a parts set! I'll have to see if the CRT is any good. Typically, I always check the tube on any set I bring home... whether it's a candidate for resto or not... but I just don't remember if I did already or not.

It's not a good sign when you can't remember what you have!!

I've got this set in a Hotpoint brand. Never really looked at it much. It does play tho.

I've got this set in a Hotpoint brand. Never really looked at it much. It does play tho.

I have a Hotpoint of this vintage that is two-tone gray, model 14S201. It did not take much to make it work when I got it many yrs ago.

Good luck thinking about it while you're away. Its this anticipation of tinkering what gets some of us through work-a-day drudge.

I had no idea it was there. I don't remember putting it there, and really have no clue as to where I got it!This made me chuckle because it's the kind of thing that I would do. In my current project, I unearthed two pieces of test equipment that I had completely forgotten about. I was sitting around thinking, "Gosh, it would be really helpful now if I owned a such-and-such." Lo and behold, I already did!

Regards,

Phil Nelson