TV meet-up in the O.C. last Wednesday

[kx250rider]

A TV collector from San Diego (For respect of privacy, I'll let him post personally rather than blab), and I met up at my friend Gary's place in Orange County, CA on Wednesday to visit and trade a couple of TVs... Gary demonstrated his working RCA TRK-12, and we got to see his collection.

I traded my RCA CTC-27 motel set for a SUPER-clean Panasonic late 60s color tube set; CT-66. I think I got the better deal! I'm really happy with this trade, as the early Japanese color sets are just about disappearing. This one looks virgin on the inside, and looks like it had very little use due to the almost non-existent wear & tear on the controls. The other collector got a nice set from Gary as well, and I picked up the Sony LV-1901 Betamax/Trinitron console from Gary that I had made a deal on a couple months back. I had forgotten that the LV-1901 weighs 288 pounds . It was upstairs, and we brought it down on a fridge dolly. I remember moving plenty of heavy sets down stairs on this type of dolly when I was a in the business, and I never had a problem couterbalancing to tilt the dolly, and never a problem standing it back up. But I've lost weight and worked hard to get back in shape, so it got me by surprise.... I had no problem lifting it, but when I went to stand the dolly back upright with the TV on it, it rocketed me up off the floor like a rag doll! That was a surprise. I had always weighed around 195 to 210, and now am about 155 or 160. No damage (to the TV).... My shoulders are giving me a stern warning, however. I was in our Chevy 4x4, whose tailgate is about 50" off the ground. It took the 3 of us to heave the console up into the truck, where it still sits this morning. I'll unload it later today with the tractor, which will be much easier.

I also got a nearly complete "parts" LV-1901 chassis, if anyone is looking for parts (SG-613 is missing, naturally).

Charles

(bottom photo of LV-1901 is a generic factory photo since my set is still in the truck as I post)







Charles

[bgadow]

That Panasonic is one sharp set! I like the Sony, too.

[jpdylon]

I would be the Collector from San Diego

I had a blast meeting up with Charles and his friend Gary. I got to see a working rca CED machine as well as a brief demonstration of a working TRK-12. There were lots of beautiful pre and post war goodies and I went home with a nice looking black philco safari and a ballast for my motorola vt-71.

Charles Got my Panasonic. I've always liked the look of the ctc-19 and 27 and I'm a sucker for metal portables. I'm sure the panasonic will be in good hands.

We'll definitely have to all meet up again. Perhaps we can gather up some more so-cal area collectors next time.

[eberts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoDr_04-CMs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiRCJvk8lVw

[Adam]

That Panasonic used to be my set, I found that at a thrift store with an outdoor lot way up San Fernando road, it was sitting outside and upsidedown in a pile of later model sets. I seem to remember that was a series string set that used some weird tubes.

[kx250rider]

Originally Posted by Adam

That Panasonic used to be my set, I found that at a thrift store with an outdoor lot way up San Fernando road, it was sitting outside and upsidedown in a pile of later model sets. I seem to remember that was a series string set that used some weird tubes.

No kidding? I heard it came from a trade from you, but I'm (pleasantly) shocked it didn't get all messed up by being in that junk-pile situation. Coincidently, the RCA I traded for this set, was also found by another collector sitting face-down on a curb. So here are two sets that "almost didn't make it"


That Panasonic does have those weird tubes in it... At least it doesn't seem to have that impossible-to-find 25HX5 vertical tube. The set is still sitting on the kitchen sink waiting for a place to display it nicely. I have to remove a couple of other sets and store them first. In fact, the LV-1901 is still outside in the truck since Wednesday. Lucky for our SoCal weather. 80 degrees or more every day since, and overnight has been warm, dry desert breezes with no moisture or fog. (Obviously, I'd have brought the set into safety IMMEDIATELY if otherwise). I'll see about getting it inside today. I better do SOMETHING, because not only is my wife's Chevy 4x4 full of an LV-1901, but my daily driver Toyota Diesel has been in the barn with a 700-lb machine sitting in it, and as of last night, I drove my '85 Diesel Toyota out to Riverside and filled it up with a motorcycle I bought for spare parts for one I'm restoring. It's a 700-lb bike, and has no brakes. I'm still engineering how to roll it down the ramp out of the truck safely.......... 2 large guys and I put it up in there. If an interesting TV shows up today, I'll have to fit it in the trunk of an '84 Camry


Charles

[bgadow]

Originally Posted by kx250rider

At least it doesn't seem to have that impossible-to-find 25HX5 vertical tube.

Charles

Ever curious, I went and checked my shelf...and found 3 of these, probably NOS! Might be some more hiding (the shelf will only hold stacks 3 high.) So, if you ever need one drop me a line.

[kx250rider]

I got around to unloading the Sony console, and it's wedged into the livingroom for now... It's sure clean, Thank you Gary!

I had repaired the Betamax on this set several years ago, and it may still work. The TV works great, with a very strong tube. Even the mechanical flip-clock works! This one's not going into storage... Something else will need to leave to make room for it.

Charles

[kx250rider]

Originally Posted by bgadow

Ever curious, I went and checked my shelf...and found 3 of these, probably NOS! Might be some more hiding (the shelf will only hold stacks 3 high.) So, if you ever need one drop me a line.

No kidding???!!! I remember in the 80s, the shop I worked for would not take in any Panasonic tube sets due to unavailability of some of those weird tubes. I bet that some shops specializing in Japanese sets did some stockpiling. I think I have a PY-500A horizontal output tube for those, and maybe one precious 25HX5.

I'd hang onto any of those tubes, as these early Japanese color portables will sooner or later be highly collectible.

Charles

[jpdylon]

Originally Posted by kx250rider

This one's not going into storage... Something else will need to leave to make room for it.

I say give up that old zenith in the corner to me and put it in its place

[radiotvnut]

Since the Zenith is spoken for, can I have the Philco cathedral radio sitting on the floor?

[Sandy G]

Sittin' here droolin' & lustin' MIGHTILY over you fellas' exotica...Never have seen one of those Sony combos in the flesh...But I can remember what a Big Deal Hot Stuff they were...I had a CED player...Never much cared for it, as even brand-new, freshly unwrapped discs were subject to "flip 'n' skip"...Think I ended up giving it away.

[kx250rider]

Thanks for the complements on the Sony!

I'm pleased to have it, and I likely will keep it permanently. By default, I'm winding up being a Sony collector. I hadn't planned that, but I've gotten hold of quite a well-rounded line-up of Sony Trinitrons over the past several years. With this set being the exception, they're small and easy to place and store. I have a couple dozen other sets that are either left over from my big-time collecting days in the 80s, and a few 60s color sets that have fallen into my hands recently. I will likely thin those out significantly, as I never have time to work on my sets anymore. Too many other projects, work on our ranch, hobbies, and most importantly, a happy marriage

Originally Posted by jpdylon

I say give up that old zenith in the corner to me and put it in its place

I'm afraid that one wasn't on the list

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Since the Zenith is spoken for, can I have the Philco cathedral radio sitting on the floor?

That's a repair job... I stuck it there until I get a chance to work on it. I think it has those awful bakelite packaged cap/resistor networks that explode, and that have no ID on them. Not looking forward to the job, but it's a favor for a friend... And it's a cheap regenerative superhet to boot.

Charles

[jpdylon]

Originally Posted by kx250rider

I'm afraid that one wasn't on the list

Just let me know if you find another one of those military grade 21" glass CRTs. The picture on that set is simply wonderful. Soon as I saw your screenshots of the rose parade last year I was hooked.

[kx250rider]

Originally Posted by jpdylon

Just let me know if you find another one of those military grade 21" glass CRTs. The picture on that set is simply wonderful. Soon as I saw your screenshots of the rose parade last year I was hooked.

Thank you!

I'll keep an eye out... That tube and another of the same came from an out-of-business CRT rebuilder in East Los Angeles about 15 years ago. They were doing all the radar tubes for LA Airport, and some government work. According to AK member Sgt Rob, the military version 21" roundie tube is still in the US Navy parts inventory catalogue. If he, or anyone else currently in the Navy has a way to find out where they are, that would be the answer...

Charles