My Latest Acquisition

[compucat]

Well my little GE arrived Saturday. I have not opened it up yet but I did get to check it over a little. I am trying to finish my Sony 5-303w first. The set works and the picture tube is like new. All the controls need to be cleaned and lubed and the UHF fine tuning is stuck, presumably from hardened grease.

It is a definete '70s shade of yellow and it should clean up nicely. I'm going to give it the full disassembly and servicing and it will become a permanent part of the collection. This is definetely one of my favorite 12" sets from the '70s. It has build quality, style and good performance. I wish I had room for more of these sets.

[site123a]

About a month ago, I was at a thrift store and saw a portable B&W RCA (early 80s). I was going to get it but when I tested it, the picture was dim and blurry, so I left it.

[compucat]

Originally Posted by site123a

About a month ago, I was at a thrift store and saw a portable B&W RCA (early 80s). I was going to get it but when I tested it, the picture was dim and blurry, so I left it.

It might come to life if run for a while. I have noticed when some old B&W sets sit unused for a year or more, the CRT needs to be "awakened" either by using the set or puting it on a CRT tester and runing it at slightly elevated heater voltage for a while. It might be worth getting after all.

[compucat]

Originally Posted by Findm-Keepm

I'll check with my Dad - those antennas were quite common on many brands - having a GE dealer just up the street helped, because we could buy the GE replacement far cheaper than the Russell Industries one. If he's got it, it's yours for shipping, albeit it may be a used antenna. Dad's never charged me anything for vintage parts for members of AK..

Cheers

The antenna arrived yesterday. It is an exact match for the original . It is not often I have everything I need to make a set complete before I even take the back off. Many thanks. Another Seventies TV shall live on.

[compucat]

Well I finally tore into the GE last night. I could not believe that it actually has a Sarkes Tarzian turret type VHF tuner in it. I thought surely it would use the wafer type. There is a problem with the UHF. The fine tuning control is frozen and attempts to free it have been unsuccessful. I am going to have to find a parts set and salvage the UHF tuner from it because attempts to free this one are resulting is a cracked plastic fine tuning shaft. Also, the cord needs replaced but on the whole it is in good shape. When finished, it will be a nice performer.

[radiotvnut]

I'll be on the lookout for one of those junk sets for you. They used to be pretty common around here. BTW, I like the roundie in your avatar!

[compucat]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I'll be on the lookout for one of those junk sets for you. They used to be pretty common around here. BTW, I like the roundie in your avatar!

Thanks. That roundie is my 1965 Zenith. I just restored it this summer. I waited years to find one and it was worth the wait. Round color sets are the way to go for vintage color TV. Let me know if you find a parts set for the GE I'll even buy a complete one and make one good one using the best of both. This one of my favorite GE models.