Found a Porta-Color today!

[Eric H]

At least I think it's a PC, it doesn't have the name on it anywhere though it is a GE set.

It's definitely a later model set, it's tubed but it has the newer style knobs and the CRT is a Slot Matrix instead of Dots, cosmetically it's excellent but it's missing the paper model and date tag on the rear.

[lnx64]

Looks like it needs a little more green, but I am glad to see another PortaColor TV. Surprised to see a tubed set, but with slot masks.

That means my Hitachi isn't the only set that's got some tubes but with a slot mask type CRT.

[bgadow]

No doubt about it being a Portacolor, but I've sure never seen that control panel before. I'm thinking '76+?

[josephdaniel]

I have heard rumors that some sets were found dated in the very early 80s and late 70s that were tubed!

[Kamakiri]

I believe there's a date stamp on the picture tube label....there is on mine.

[Eric H]

Bingo Tim, looks like late February of 1975. The chassis is a 10HE.

I don't think the back has ever been off it before, the cord interlock was stuck fast and all the tubes seem to be OEM Compactrons.

[lnx64]

Wow, in that case, that TV is working superb for all original parts!

One question, is the slight blur just RF tuning, or does the CRT need to be re-focused?

[josephdaniel]

Not to hijack this thread but what is the going rate for one if these nowadays? Before the DTV change over I would see ports colors and other little 70s sets all the time in little thrift shops usually for sale cheap like 20$ but I have not seen hardly any sets like this anymore.

[radiotvnut]

Nice! I've never seen a control layout exactly like that. I have a similar looking 10HE chassis model from '73 that has the older style UHF tuner. I've had a couple late-'76 models that used the side-by-side channel knob arrangement. I wish one of those '76 and later models would fall into my lap.

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by josephdaniel

Not to hijack this thread but what is the going rate for one if these nowadays?

The going rate for this one was $5

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by lnx64

One question, is the slight blur just RF tuning, or does the CRT need to be re-focused?

A little bit of both, the signal was weak, the camera was slow, the picture is soft and it's a Porta Color so the picture was probably never real sharp.

The CRT may be a little weak, it was really red at first, then settled down to a decent gray scale.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by Eric H

A little bit of both, the signal was weak, the camera was slow, the picture is soft and it's a Porta Color so the picture was probably never real sharp.

The CRT may be a little weak, it was really red at first, then settled down to a decent gray scale.

I see yours has the high focus voltage CRT.
I have two, one early 70's and one, mid 70's. The earlier one has the low voltage focus CRT.

[Sandy G]

GE HAD to make bucketfulls of money on Porta-Colors...They started in '65, & other than detail cosmetic changes, made 'em virtually unchanged til 1980 or so...That HAD to be some sort of longevity record in consumer electronics...

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Nice! I've never seen a control layout exactly like that. I have a similar looking 10HE chassis model from '73 that has the older style UHF tuner. I've had a couple late-'76 models that used the side-by-side channel knob arrangement. I wish one of those '76 and later models would fall into my lap.

I just looked at and fired up my newest Porta-color. The sticker states: January 1976. It has the tuners, side-by-side and the three controls, horizontally under the tuners. I've seen most of the later ones like this one.

[Norbert]

There's been speculation on the 1980 Portacolor for sometime now, but does someone actually have one? What is the newest known portacolor among us collectors? I believe Marty was the name of the guy who made that portacolor website which has been around for years and he's the one who stated the 1980 thing, which is where the rumor started, but I've yet to even hear about a 1978 or 79 model. They seem to be non existent after 1977...