Philco 49-1002 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

captainmoody · #1 02-10-2008, 09:22 AM

Found this one at an Estate sale Friday for $20. I don't really collect anything older than the late 50's, but had to get this one! I first saw this model in the book "A Flick Of The Switch" that I purchased in 1975. (Thought it was an interesting set at the time), and tried to locate one for about the next ten years, then gave up and forgot about it.
After replacing an open 4-section 'lytic, and cleaning several tube sockets, the set powered up with a great picture and clear sound as well. It had been sitting unused since the 60's only occasionally being powered up as the owner was a collector.
Ok, here's the bad part.. He was a tinkerer and replaced the tuner in the 50's. The set is all original and complete except that.
I don't know much about these, but didn't they originally have an 8 position three tube tuner? The one in there now has positions 2-13.
Can anyone fill me in on this, and where I might find an original to install?

Don Lindsly · #2 02-10-2008, 01:28 PM

Eight position tuner is correct for that model. It was probably replaced for some good reasons.
1. The contact blocks may have failed in the original
2. There were more than 8 channels in the area
3. A fine tuner adjustment
4. Unable to locate coils for new channels

If you locate a tuner, you will need the correct channel coils, knob and escutcheon.

captainmoody · #3 02-10-2008, 02:40 PM

Oh, I see. Sounds like the tuner I have now is an improvement over the original.
So i'm probably better off leaving it alone then?

***Eric H*** · #4 02-10-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainmoody

Oh, I see. Sounds like the tuner I have now is an improvement over the original.
So i'm probably better off leaving it alone then?

Well it'll tune more channels assuming it works but after 2009 it won't matter, channel 3 will be enough.

I have a chassis for a 48-2500 that may have the right tuner, I should also have some knobs but I'm not sure if I have a channel selector knob, I'll look for them and let you know.

captainmoody · #5 02-10-2008, 03:09 PM

Thanks!

classicradios · #6 02-10-2008, 07:45 PM

I have a couple knobs from a Philco 50T-1404 you can have, Probably not the same though.
Jim

bgadow · #7 02-10-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainmoody

I first saw this model in the book "A Flick Of The Switch" that I purchased in 1975.

That was the first old radio/tv book I ever owned, and had me dreaming quite a bit as a teenager! There was that one guy in the back who had a huge stack of small screen sets...I wonder where he is now, or Morgan McMahon (memory?) for that matter?

Carmine · #8 02-11-2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

If you locate a tuner, you will need the correct channel coils, knob and escutcheon.

Hey, lucky for you CaptainMoody, I work with a guy who has those exact parts, and no need for them!

captainmoody · #9 02-11-2008, 09:46 AM

Thanks, Eric H, Carmine, and Classicradios!
Does anyone know if Morgan McMahon is still around? He would have to be about 85 or so today..
How about Charles Seidel of Santa Barbara? He was the TV collector featured in A Flick Of The Switch as well. From the photo, he had a lot of Motorola and Hallicrafters 7" sets.

Steve K · #10 02-11-2008, 10:26 AM

I believe that he passed away about a year or so ago. There was a thread about it in the Antique Radio Forum if I remember correctly.

Steve

Steve K · #11 02-11-2008, 10:38 AM

I take that back. I did a search at ARF and could not find anything about his death. The last report I saw was that he and his wife are living in Southern California.

Steve

captainmoody · #12 02-11-2008, 11:20 AM

I did a search and found a Morgan McMahon living in California, his age is listed as 83. As far as Charles Seidel, there are four in California age 48 to 85. Looks like they're still around, maybe no longer collecting though..

radio63 · #13 02-11-2008, 08:10 PM

Morgan McMahon is indeed alive and well in Southern California. A heck of a nice man, I have had the pleasure of speaking to him many times over the years. I don't know if he is actively collecting any more, but he did have some nice items in his collection as of about 10 years ago or so. I bought "Flick of the Switch" when I was around 15 years old sometime around 1978. What a fantastic book to get young people interested in collecting vintage radios and TVs. I read that book cover to cover many times over the years. Don't know anything about Chuck Seidel, nor have I ever run into anyone that mentioned him. I never thought to ask Morgan about him. Maybe he is no longer collecting(?)

Gilbert

captainmoody · #14 02-11-2008, 09:17 PM

After moving from Arizona to Michigan, I spoke with Morgan a few times in the late 70's, seeking advice on the restoration of an old, old Freshman Masterpiece battery radio. He was always very kind, and took time to explain things thoroughly to me.
I lost interest in radio by 1977, and was then hooked forever on tv collecting. This Philco find however, brought back those early memories of the man and his book that started it all for me!
I am glad that I still have that book, as tattered as it is, it means a lot to me.