http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-dm-Professional-TV-Pre-Amplifier-MODEL-100-Tube-Type-Parts-or-Repair-/300691166984?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4602971708

Can anyone tell me what this is, what it was used for? That doesnt look like a crt in the middle, maybe it lights up when youve a good channel lock?

A tunable RF preamplifier placed between the antenna and the TV, for use in weak signal areas.

I believe the thing in the middle was a "screen" of sorts, which displayed channel numbers projected by a backlighted dial.

Thanks. So I take it its like all the rest of the tuner boxes youd see from the era, this ones odd looks rather threw me for a loop.

One other quick question, i see tons of these old things on ebay. Are they entirely useless these days? Maybe its possible to repurpose them for something?

Stick one between an antenna and DTV converter box for better reception of the weak VHF DTV carrier signals (not many DTV stations have their carriers on VHF though).

Might also be possible to connect a VCR to the input of one and an antenna to the out put and use it as an RF amp for a home transmitter, though I suspect one might have to modify the vintage booster to get the kind of gain needed to make using it worth while.

interesting :scratch2:

Just look for one that's cheaper - 44 Bux (including shipping to 98xxx) for one of these is a bit much...

300 ohm twin lead makes it a tad unsuitable for DTV. I have had good luck using some of these old VHF boosters for improving FM reception.

Its the UHF converters - wonder if they are good for anything these days.