Newspaper reporter working on story about old TVs, new TVs and planned obsolescence

[Big Dave]

I think I got back into old electronics because I have been burned on newer sets. Instead of flipping burgers while in school, I worked at a TV shop. Not only is it something to do, restoring protects somebody's investment. I like seeing something that hasn't worked in years light up again after I recap it. Our tube sets will outlast this modern junk easily.

I tried to fix a 90's era Zenith and failed miserably. This was before I had internet access. The net is how I found out about the bad tubes Zenith was making.

I feel some quality issues with the major manufacturers during the tube and early solid state era contributed. Zenith lost a ton of cash because of safety caps that failed to open. This caused the high voltage to triple and would burn a hole in the CRT. Flybacks in RCA color sets were coated with the same material they used for the BW sets. These are notorious for burnthrough. This is correctable if caught as it happens. These are just examples.

I choose tube sets because they can be serviced, and most importantly, because I can do it.