Chinese-style remote control Magnavox set

[ChrisW6ATV]

Hello-

I picked up this Magnavox round-CRT set today. It came with two remote controls, one well-used and one brand-new, never used. The CRT may be a rebuilt replacement; it is a Sylvania RB21FJP22 (RB for rebuilt?). It tests very good on red and green, at the low end of OK on blue.






The remote controls are apparently the "wheeze" ultrasonic type, much more basic than RCAs of the same era (but they never need batteries!). The two buttons at the top of the control panel apparently duplicate the functions of the remote control buttons.






This is my first remote control antique TV, and it should be a fun project!

[John Folsom]

what a great find!

[dieseljeep]

I used to marvel at the lengths, some of these manufacturers would go to get around patents. They used to sell a "Whistle Switch" years ago the must've worked about the same way.

[Pete Deksnis]

One system had a set of buttons mechanically linked to hammers that would strike ultrasonic chimes. Made a loud click, but young ears could not hear the aural data pulse. Had a 35-mm slide projector like that in the early '60s; anyone know if the system was used on a TV?

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by Pete Deksnis

One system had a set of buttons mechanically linked to hammers that would strike ultrasonic chimes. Made a loud click, but young ears could not hear the aural data pulse. Had a 35-mm slide projector like that in the early '60s; anyone know if the system was used on a TV?

That was the system that Zenith patented around 1956, after the Flashmatic. Admiral and possibly a few others used it a little later.

[dieseljeep]

Looks like it could be the original Sylvania CRT. The later Sylvania tubes used the resin that turned yellow. If you look at the label again, it's probably a RE21FJP22A.

[DaveWM]

yea that CRT has the same looking mold that my sylvania CRT has.

[wa2ise]

"Chinese Style" made in USA, now everything is made in China...

[Electronic M]

Nice set!

You going to give it a resotration? If so good luck.

Tom C.

Reading between the scan lines since the mid 2000's.

[Glenz75]

Cool looking set, wish I had one Good luck with getting it going
Cheers Glen.

[magnasonic66]

I like that a lot, I wish a set like that would turn up here! Have fun with it!

[bgadow]

'RE' in the crt type number stands for "rare earth" phosphor.

Nice find!

[ChrisW6ATV]

Thank you all for the good wishes and comments. I do plan to restore it, but I have two projects that I want to finish first.

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

Looks like it could be the original Sylvania CRT. The later Sylvania tubes used the resin that turned yellow. If you look at the label again, it's probably a RE21FJP22A.

Yes, it is indeed RE21FJP22 (but not a '22A), and not RB. I was not familiar with the prefix on a CRT number.

It has some Magnavox tubes, several Raytheons (one of which is marked Japan), and an Amperex from France that I can see easily. The flyback looks nice and clean. This set has what I have heard called a "backwards" chassis. I do not know if the HV box sould have a cover; there was a discussion of another Magnavox recently that I will have to find and read again. It has a date of 10/64 on it, and possibly the chassis is U45017. Now I need to chase after a Photofact manual for it.

[ChrisW6ATV]

Originally Posted by wa2ise

"Chinese Style" made in USA, now everything is made in China...

I was at a hobby shop recently, noticing that most of the car models are now made in China. On one shelf was a Chinese junk model (that is a type of ship, not a comment on quality). The Chinese junk was made in USA!

[reeferman]

Pete,
The neat thing about the Zenith remote was that if we didn't have one handy at the shop we would jingle a key ring till until the tv responded. That way we knew the remote was working. Phil: yes: