Found This For $30.00

[VA561]

I happened to spot this on craigslist last saturday and because it was only 40 minutes from me I couldn't pass it up. From what I can gather it is a 1949 Dumont and I believe it is the "Sheffield". Model number RA-103-D-12. I haven't checked anything on it yet and I noticed that there is no picture tube brightener so maybe there is hope for the picture tube. The cabinet is a little rough but not too bad. All of the knobs on the bottom row are missing but I'm sure that replacements are out there somewhere. I always wanted a Dumont and for $30.00 I couldn't resist.

[David Roper]

I like consoles too (FSM help me) and that's a sharp little one at a decent price. It's much less common than the table top version, which happens to be my next project in queue.

Wanna race?

[Sandy G]

Kewl !

[jbivy]

Very nice looking set. I hope that crt checks out to be decent.

[BelowZero]

I saw that set on craigslist too, it was a bit to far away for me, I'm glad you got it.
30 bucks for a DuMont...What a deal!

[Eric H]

Great deal!
I had the Tabletop version (I think) is that a 12" set or a 15"?

Anyhow I had a 12" tabletop with that same front control layout, "The Rumson" I believe it was.

Unfortunately it was too far gone (cabinetwise & CRT) to save.

[Phil Nelson]

Super deal for a DuMont of that vintage, even with missing knobs & scruffy cabinet.

Phil Nelson

[David Roper]

Originally Posted by Eric H

I had a 12" tabletop with that same front control layout, "The Rumson" I believe it was.

It was.



The 12" sets have the focus knob to the left of the lower masked portion of the tube. The tube in the 15" set can't mount that way so the focus knob ends up slightly left of center underneath it.

[DavGoodlin]

Great catch! You found TV history on craiglist - a true CL success story (not many of them)

I really like that tuner! Was the FM-TV sound through a separate IF amp strip? was it 10.7MC?

Maybe you could get some genuine programming from WTVR or WTTG , used to be DuMont network stations

[charokeeroad]

Shouldn't have any problem matching that grill cloth. I may have a knob set for that one. I'll PM you if I do. I think you'll find the CRT is good too.

[Penthode]

That's a great find. I love all those octal tubes!

[DaveWM]

got a Crosley (dumont clone pretty much) love it, very solid build.

[VA561]

Thanks for the good comments on this find. I am looking forward to bringing it back to life again. Just out of curiosity, what exactly does the word "telephone" mean on the dial screen?

[David Roper]

Once upon a time you could probably tune in to mobile phone conversations in that band. I used to pick up some, heh, interesting conversations on my JVC 3050 back in the 70s, but of course analog mobile phones are extinct now.

[Phil Nelson]

This article has some RA-103 restoration notes that may be helpful in a general way.

http://antiqueradio.org/DuMontRA-103Television.htm

I assume the -D flavor has some differences, presumably not huge or they would have gone to a new model number.

Have fun. DuMonts are my favorite sets to work on.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html