Scored a rare, huge, and HEAVY DuMont.....

[earlyjukeman]

Steve, Thanks for posting this. Yet another set I should have bought. There's one of these in the back of a garage somewhere on Long Island. I found it years ago but had no way to get it home. It was overpriced at $50. Did anybody on here get it? AL

[holmesuser01]

I have a healthy respect for high voltages.

That said, I'd love to own an RA-101 set.

[Penthode]

Great find. Buffalo has some great sets!

I spotted the set on the Buffalo Craigslist. It looked like an RA101 but with a different cabinet. It did not look like a custom cabinet because of the labels.

Is it exactly the same as the "Westminster"?

[rca2000]

I STILL stand by my point...our sets are dangerous--compared to a normal RF or flyback-type HV supply...but are STILL not anywhere near as dangerous as a microwave oven HV supply !!

It has ALWAYS mystified me--as to how so FEW people realize just how DANGEROUS microwave ovens are to work on..NOT because of 'radiation"--that issue is VERY minor-but because of VERY high-current high voltage levels--that would make ANY flyback-powered HV supply look PALE in comparison--shock-hazard wise !!

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by rca2000

...but are STILL not anywhere near as dangerous as a microwave oven HV supply !!

It has ALWAYS mystified me--as to how so FEW people realize just how DANGEROUS microwave ovens are to work on..NOT because of 'radiation"--that issue is VERY minor-but because of VERY high-current high voltage levels--that would make ANY flyback-powered HV supply look PALE in comparison--shock-hazard wise !!

Also IIRC some microwave tubes contain gases that are EXTREMELY toxic to inhale (as in if you break it open, RUN).

[rca2000]

IIRC, Dumont folded and sold out to Emerson or such--in the Early 1950's..These sets tell us WHY.

We all marvel at our Zenith sets, such as the flat-chassis SS color sets, the "tin can" Zenith sets and even the 60's model tube color sets. WHy? because they were built MUCH better--than any other at the time. And that Build quality is why there are still sets out there for us to find and get going.

Well--Dumont seemed to be even a STEP, or maybe TWO--above Zenith Quality of build!! 4 different chassis, just for a tv and radio !! HEAVY metal used throughout. As much as I hate to say it--WAAYYY "over complicated and over-engineered" . Almost "rube Goldbergish", to be honest. That deflection chassis seems to be built to ABOVE industrial standards !! And it, and that amp , or signal chassis ALONE_-are as as big as-or bigger than--many COMPLETE tv chassis from 1947.. SO much so--evidently--few could afford them-- Dumnt lost money.. and they merged into a MUCH cheaper-made set...with just the "brand" on them.

Sad...because the few "real" Dumont sets out there..are WAAYYY above pretty much ANYTHING else built !!

[Kamakiri]

Originally Posted by rca2000

I STILL stand by my point...our sets are dangerous--compared to a normal RF or flyback-type HV supply...but are STILL not anywhere near as dangerous as a microwave oven HV supply !!

It has ALWAYS mystified me--as to how so FEW people realize just how DANGEROUS microwave ovens are to work on..NOT because of 'radiation"--that issue is VERY minor-but because of VERY high-current high voltage levels--that would make ANY flyback-powered HV supply look PALE in comparison--shock-hazard wise !!

I tried to work on an old Amana Radarange once. I disregarded the first two HV warning stickers, but when I got to the third, it was so scary looking that I stopped....

[Kamakiri]

Originally Posted by Penthode

Great find. Buffalo has some great sets!

I spotted the set on the Buffalo Craigslist. It looked like an RA101 but with a different cabinet. It did not look like a custom cabinet because of the labels.

Is it exactly the same as the "Westminster"?

Totally different....well...in some regards. 15AP4 picture tube, different cabinet, etc. Moved it out of the van last night and on to two furniture dollies, wheeled it into the garage. I'll take a few more shots when I get chance.

I'll say it again. This is a HEAVY sucker....comparable I'd say to an RCA 8PCS41.

[Tom Albrecht]

For a comparison between the various RA-101 models, read the information here at Radiomuseum: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/dumont_...d_ra_101a.html .

[Kamakiri]

Here's a few more photos. Note that the set is on two furniture dollies. No major issues with the cabinet, just a light refinishing would make it look great. Maybe even a couple coats of Howards......

Turntable isn't what I'd call a "pro" install, but at least they didn't seem to chop up anything.

[Steve McVoy]

Someone commented earlier that this was a prewar design. I don't think so. It may have been designed toward the end of the war, and not manufactured until 1946-47.

[radio63]

Originally Posted by rca2000

IIRC, Dumont folded and sold out to Emerson or such--in the Early 1950's..These sets tell us WHY.

Actually they folded in the late 50s. After the DuMont Television Network folded in 1956. They sold the TV manufacturing division to Emerson, and the rest of the company to Fairchild. The TV network dissapeared entirely. Emerson continued to sell DuMont branded sets well into the 1960s. Allen B. DuMont was certianly an important part of American TV history.

[Boobtubeman]

Originally Posted by rca2000

I STILL stand by my point...our sets are dangerous--compared to a normal RF or flyback-type HV supply...but are STILL not anywhere near as dangerous as a microwave oven HV supply !!

It has ALWAYS mystified me--as to how so FEW people realize just how DANGEROUS microwave ovens are to work on..NOT because of 'radiation"--that issue is VERY minor-but because of VERY high-current high voltage levels--that would make ANY flyback-powered HV supply look PALE in comparison--shock-hazard wise !!

Aint that the truth!!!

My dad brought home a LITTON (golden girls kitchen) Microwave with a broken HV diode that went from the cap to ground. While working on it, i got a bite from that capacitor and can still recall its intensity to this day..

WOW!!! WHAT A PUNCH!!

SR

[rld-tv01]

Was this Dumont a RA101 in a custom cabinet? Are any of these known to exist?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261496913808...84.m1423.l2649

[VintagePC]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

Also IIRC some microwave tubes contain gases that are EXTREMELY toxic to inhale (as in if you break it open, RUN).

It's not so much the gasses, it's the beryllium oxide that they use to make those lovely pink ceramic insulators. That stuff is particularly carcinogenic and is just like asbestos in that it wedges in your lungs and doesn't ever leave. (but is relatively harmless if left undisturbed)

Don't breathe this!