RCA TV Antenna, anyone have one? - Videokarma.org TV - Video

drh4683 · #1 12-14-2009, 08:57 AM

That '69 RCA 25" table set I picked up this last weekend has a snapped off antenna. I called up moyer to see if they have one for this model. I hate it when I describe exactly what I need and someone on the other line tells me no such parts ever existed etc. etc. "CTC-38's never had built in antennas". I explained what I had (this was someone other than Bill) and he refused to believe what I had. I then got the "let me go check, but I don't think so". You know your dead in the water when dealing with people like this. He returned with a "that TV had four different antenna possiblities and we have none of them". OK, thank you...

This TV is a victim of identity theft, the typical missing model tag

I looked up in my manuals and brochures and I'd bet money its a model FM-505W, the exact chassis number is a CTC38XA. By chance does anyone have an antenna that might fit this thing? Let me know how much. BTW, I cleaned out my inbox. Thanks!

*zenithfan1* · #2 12-14-2009, 12:54 PM

I'll check at Chester's for you. They have an isle of antennas in there, can you post a pic of the broken one?

drh4683 · #3 12-14-2009, 01:15 PM

Thanks Mark. I'll get a picture up once I get home. Does anyone have a service manual for this model that indicates the part number? I don't have the most extensive library on RCA other than field service guides.

truetone36 · #4 12-14-2009, 01:50 PM

I have a CTC-38 parts set,but I don't remember if the antenna is still there or not. I'll dig it out of the shed and take a look.

drh4683 · #5 12-14-2009, 02:30 PM

Thanks, I appriciate it.

MRX37 · #6 12-14-2009, 06:00 PM

I may still have the antennas from a CTC 120 console TV, any chance of those working?

*zenithfan1* · #7 12-14-2009, 08:29 PM

Are you home yet? Where's the beef?, I mean pic. Sorry, filled up on Wendy's today

drh4683 · #8 12-14-2009, 09:05 PM

Ah Wendys...Havn't been there in a while.

Here's the antenna. It appears to have been may by Jerrold. I looked in my stash and actually found an NOS one! I need two of them though! If you can find a matched set with the black base that would be great. They are individual antennas with a spring clip retainer. I would like to think more of these are out there. I'm interested two or three if they have more, grab them! These are pretty common in the RCA's. I used to have a 20" CTC-38 with busted antennas. In fact, chad has that TV now.

Here's the brand new one that I somehow had. The OD of the bakelite insulator that fits through the cabinet is about 1-1/16" and the antenna fully collapsed is 11-5/8" end to end.

N9ZQA · #9 12-14-2009, 09:17 PM

Doug -

What holds the antenna shaft into the part that sits inside the set? I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to machine a replacement out of black nylon?

-Jim

Carmine · #10 12-14-2009, 09:27 PM

Pardon me.. I thought this thread was going to be about the sub-marginal performance of this turd:

In which case I was going to recommend you not bother!

*zenithfan1* · #11 12-15-2009, 01:25 PM

Hey Doug! I just grabbed one from Chester's that looks just like yours in the pic. What is the diameter of the hole? I want to make sure it's right. If it is I'll pick up a few more, plus I think they have the right ones for the '68 Admiral table set too. I'm glad I went

I'll also post a pic of the new one when I get home.

drh4683 · #12 12-15-2009, 03:25 PM

Great! Im pretty sure the admiral uses the same type as the base looks the same. My '68 Admiral has a cracked base but it works. Im pretty sure the Admirals use a brown colored insulator. The hole OD for the RCA is 1-1/16", and the antenna should be 11-5/8" end to end fully collapsed. I'd like to have a matched pair for the RCA plus a few more if they are available. I need to check that place out. I love those old electronic supply houses, whats left of them.
Thanks again

*zenithfan1* · #13 12-15-2009, 04:42 PM

You're welcome, I measured this one just now and it's 1" for the insulator and 9-1/2" long, 37-1/2" fully extended. That's really close but do you think it will fit?. I think it just might, a 16th of an inch isn't much difference. The difference in length should be ok as long as you use two of these. There are more antennas there that I will check tomorrow to see if there is a better one. I'll still post a pic later so you can see it. Check here around 10pm. This one also uses the same retaining clip as yours too. There are some Zenith ones like this too if you need them. They look like the ones used in the 14A1CXX chassis sets from about '71.

*zenithfan1* · #14 12-15-2009, 10:14 PM

Here's the pics, it sure looks close if not the same. I am afraid upon close comparison that it's just a bit too small, mainly the lip that keeps it from falling inside the set. Like I said, I'll take another look at the rest of what they have tomorrow (actually later today since it's almost 1 am)

rubber cover on:

extended:

cover off:

drh4683 · #15 12-16-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmine

Pardon me.. I thought this thread was going to be about the sub-marginal performance of this turd:

In which case I was going to recommend you not bother!

Thanks Mark. Good point on the flange though, it looks slightly small. Look forward to hearing what else they have.

Chris, that looks like a good quality antenna. Perhaps I should just get one of those and put it over the antenna holes on my table set. How well does that thing work? (if at all). Most indoor amplified antennas are a joke.