Identify this RCA

[freakaftr8]

Looks to me line a 71 Trans Vista all solid state. it's not listed in the 1971 Catalog thou. Looks awfully like the older CTC39 setup thou. Those channel knobs dont match a 71 model. I'm thinking 1973 vacuum tube chassis.

Sadly that CTC20 I was looking at earlier last week fell through.

Any takers?

[Tony V]

CTC44 maybe? It cant be the CTC40 as those had the more round 23V crt's in them. I don't recall ever seeing a CTC39 with a 25V crt in it either.

[freakaftr8]

True. I've seen the 25v CRTs in RCA before, and was a vacuum tube set IIRC. The 1971 catalog stated all sets were solid state. I used to have a CTC40. great unit but someone hacked the tv out of the entertainment combo...

[Tony V]

It may be an interesting set indeed. It's hard to guess with the RCA's of this time period as they were offering both types in 1970. If it's reasonable and has a good crt, it may be worth getting regardless if you don't have a preference.

[freakaftr8]

True and the dude wanted $150 for it and I kind of told him in more subtle words that hes out of his mind so looks like it's 50 bucks now. I just wish I knew what was underneath that sticker.. That's the telltale.

I'm hoping it's a CTC39 cause that looks awfully like it's going to say Accu Color underneath the sticker.


Dont think now it's a CTC44. Looks like the 44s had an on off rocker switch on the top.

[freakaftr8]

Ok according to Chad Hauris's site, this looks awfully like the CTC48 setup in the front. Picture attached. Bezel identical. This would put it at 1973. However during that time, they made a tube chassis as well. Dont quite know what that would be. Probably the CTC-39. The one I'm going to look at doesn't have any of the pushbutton AFC control on the front. Looks like its located in the pull out controls as a k on instead. this will be an interesting one when I get it.

[damen]

I vote CTC39. The picture with the open control bin shows a ring around the tint knob, probably the auto tint off-on switch. I believe the 39 was the only tube(hybrid) console chassis to have auto tint, and they did use the 25V CRTs.

[freakaftr8]

That's exactly what I was hoping it is. Now if the guy would get back to me... I going to attempt a tv rescue in a Prius.. Done it before...

[freakaftr8]

Well I'm still awaiting to pick this thing up. Cant coordinate a time cause conflicting work schedules between the two of us, but sounds like it's a confirmed CTC39.

Now.. I was reading back on old posts.. It appears the majority think the CTC38/39 chassis suffer from a "soft" picture, and eat flybacks on a regular basis.. So.. fist order of business would be to pull the HOT and measure cathode current and check ESR off filters. Cant imagine looking for a flyback is going to be an easy task..

[freakaftr8]

Well I finally picked it up tonight. I never realized that the drive from Sacramento to Stockton could be so daunting in rush hour traffic... Also to everyones astonishment I managed to fit it in a Toyota Prius with a lot of Room to spare..

Sounds like I will be going back there in the next few days to pick up a 1975 or so chromacolor ii console that was sitting next to the CTC39.

Apparently this guy's grandmother did not throw anything away

I couldn't imagine picking up a combo unit with a vehicle like this but I have done far crazier things

[freakaftr8]

Well... Appears to have low hours, not even any goo on the anode cap. Going to check cathode current, but all tubes including H output and damper seem to be original RCA. CRT tests right in the green. Seems like the original one too with a 04-73 date code. Took a chance and powered it up. And works.. never even had to fiddle with vertical or horizontal controls. perfect grey raster too. Filters are cool.to the touch.
Chassis CTC39XBJ.

How boring.

But, it's the set I always wanted and I get to perform a convergence alignment.

[freakaftr8]

After a cabinet cleaning and polishing it turned out pretty good! There are a few blemishes on the top I need to work out but nothing big.

[freakaftr8]

Good lord. Convergence... Oh how I have spent countless hours learning this trick with many, many TVs before this one..


Just make sure you got the vertical height and linearity dialed in before you attack this..

Fortunately it paid off..

[Tony V]

Very nice set! I'm glad it turned out to be the set you wanted. Enjoy!

[freakaftr8]

Thanks! Looks like I'll be testing tubes. Gotta love those 6GH8As. AGC and sync are outta whack.

And the tuner is extremely touchy..