Okay guys - there's one set that I grew up with that I haven't been able to identify yet.

My parents had a color tabletop RCA (19 inch I guess) with a remote. Controls and speaker on the right. It was probably purchased around 1970. The remote was unique and I finally found a picture of one in a Sams technical book:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s252/audubon5425/rcaremote.jpg

So I'm hoping that learning which chassis/model years used that remote will bring me closer to IDing the set. If I saw it I'd remember, but the memory is a little dim after 20 years...

Ryan

That's strange, I thought all the RCA remotes were electronic, never seen a mechanical one before.

I have a circa 1981 RCA remote brochure at work - I'll check it for the model number(s) that it corresponds to. The RCA Tuner Mounting Assembly Guide (circa 1972) also lists remotes for various remote TMAs. I'll check all my resources and report back.

Cheers,

what is the publication date on that sams? If no year, there is usually a print date code on the front or back cover

It is from "Television Symptom Diagnosis" Third Edition, by Richard W. Tinnell, 1988.

Over the summer I found an old non functioning RCA console with a very similar remote from 1979. It used batteries but it was not an IR type remote.

Very interesting.

We (my parents, back then) got an RCA color in 12/1981, with remote control. It was ultrasonic, but completely electronic.

I also have the photofact for the RCA CTC-38 (the set that the above set replaced), and, IIRC, it showed the remote control to be ultrasonic, but fully electronic, back then, as well.

Here you have a picture of an RCA mechanical transmitter that surely seems to be between 1969 and 1981.

Of further note: The transmitter pictured looks, externally, very much like a Phillips RT114, a replacement electronic ultrasound transmitter I bought in 1985 to replace the broken original. The original 1981 RCA transmitter looked nothing like the one in your picture.

Well, I can tell you that is was definitely manufactured before 1978 (which is as far back as I can remember.) I just asked Mother and she said that bedroom set was bought around the same time as the CTC-40 in the den. Even though memories fade after so many years, I'd have to believe her since she did not buy another TV until 1987 and couldn't have afforded a color set before about 1970. 1970 was also the year she married my father, built and furnished the house I was born in, so her recollection makes sense to me.

Found it - it's a "Mural" remote - used with hotel sets, and listed as a non-repairable. Probably mechanical to save the hotel staff from having to replace batteries. Listed with seven models, but none are in any RCA literature I have, making it pre-CTC72. RCA made a three button one as well, no clue what the third button was for, perhaps radio/TV switching. Mural sets had radios in them as well.

I'm still on the hunt for more info - right now headed for the in-laws house outta state.

Cheers,

I've thought about it and am certain our set did not have a radio. I'm also not sure if the set was labeled "Mural" or not - seems like I would remember that.

When you get a chance, would you list those models?

Thanks,

Ryan

Brian,

Could you list those seven models that matched the remote in your literature?

Thanks,

Ryan