I just purchased a really beatup National 7" steel case television. Its the model with the ac/signal strength meter. It is missing the back and knobs. I won't be getting the set till next month but based on pictures e-mailed to me I am relieved that it is not a hot chassis design and that the circuitry has not been worked on. The purpose of this tread is to see if anybody has a picture of the back so that i can see what it looks like,a schematic and lastly is there a set of knobs available? Any help would be appreciated.
Konrad Schiecke

Sorry I can't help with knobs, but here are photos of same. Back cover is metal. Good luck, that is a good performing 7" TV.

Thanks John, I will be able to make a metal plate from your picture. The knobs look "like" knobs heathkit used on their test equipment in the early fifities. Definitely unique to National. If someone can help now with a schematic and point me to a knob source that woud be great.
konrad Schiecke

You could try contacting Mike Koste, [email protected] . His trade name is "Gobs of Knobs." That's a rather obscure TV, but who knows . . . he may have something that would pass casual inspection.

I'm jealous that you found the metal one with the signal meter. I have the more boring TV-7W in wooden case.

http://www.antiqueradio.org/NationalTV-7W.htm

As John mentioned, it is a good performer, and quite well built, like most National products.

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

Thanks Phil for your reply and the pictures of your national set. You stated that there were two chassis a hot chassis and a power transformer chassis. Well based on my e-mail pictures of what i brought there is a third chassis. Its power transformer operated but with a horizontal transformer mounted. right behind the on/off volume control. Yours is a vertical mount transformer mounted on the vertical side panel of the chassis toward the rear of the set. I will post pictures of my chassis when I get the set in mid june. I will try Mike for the knobs but had no response from him on an earlier restoration concerning a motorola set for Knobs.. Appreciate your response.
Konrad Schiecke

Awww, man ! I'm jealous as all get-out...That l'il National has been on my Serious Lust list for a LOOOOONG time...It sure would go well w/my HRO-50T1 & NC-183D...

those knobs were also used on some of nationals shortwave receivers and should not be too hard to track down.

Phil beat me to it, but the folks in the Antique Radio Forum are just as passionate about old stuff as we are here and I've gotten great advice and guidance many times from those great guys. The forum even has a special section devoted to the discussion of old TVs. Oh, and radioactive- that's one fine-looking National rig!

Oh, and radioactive- that's one fine-looking National rig!


thanks ablethevoice its one of my favorites.

Yes, the SAMS Photofact shows two alternate power supplies, a transformer supply using 5V4G and 6X5GT rectifiers, and a series string supply using a 25Z6GT as rectifier and voltage doubler.

The manual makes no mention of a signal meter, but I assume yours is much the same television as the transformer version, only with the meter circuitry.

I will mail you a photocopy of the manual, per our separate email.

You found a rare bird! I will be interested to see a few photos after it is restored.

Regards,

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

Thanks Phil, Received the photocopy today .Thank you. The layout shows the power transformer version that i brought. I suspect that the meter version was an extremely limited run and that is why it wasn't covered. You are a dedicated TV restorer and its great that you help fellow collectors out like most of the forum members.
Konrad Schiecke