My first Tele-Tone TV - Videokarma.org TV - Video

decojoe67 · #1 03-09-2016, 09:21 PM

Of all the vintage TV's that passed through my hands through the years, I never got a Tele-Tone. I was eyeing this set from a collector friend for a while and finally got it. It's a 1949 TV-208. The interesting things about it is that it's suprisingly light, and has a built-in rotary antenna. This set is complete with the tolex in very decent condition. Not an impressive performer, but, with that porthole screen, is a lot of fun to watch.

***Kamakiri*** · #2 03-10-2016, 04:46 AM

Beautiful! I just lost the bid on one of those on ebay. I had one more than a decade ago....been looking for another myself

decojoe67 · #3 03-10-2016, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamakiri

Beautiful! I just lost the bid on one of those on ebay. I had one more than a decade ago....been looking for another myself

Thanks. You realize as the years pass that a lot of these sets that you used to think were common really don't turn-up often, especially in decent, complete condition. The seller was trying to sway me away from this one towards a better playing and much more common Sentinel, but I had my mind set on this one. I had to pay a little extra for it though. It's one of the more unique of the early vertical portable TV's.

Polaraligned · #4 03-10-2016, 05:13 AM

Hey, that is a good looking set Decojoe!!

Radiotronman · #5 03-10-2016, 07:16 AM

That's an awesome looking set and looks to be in great shape! Congrats to that addition to your collection!!

dieseljeep · #6 03-10-2016, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiotronman

That's an awesome looking set and looks to be in great shape! Congrats to that addition to your collection!!

I like those old-style RCA knobs.
They made a set like that for Sears.

decojoe67 · #7 03-10-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

I like those old-style RCA knobs.
They made a set like that for Sears.

Yes. There was so much interchanging of parts on these portable sets in the late '40's. The trapezoid shaped cabinets from Sentinel and Airline seem to be the most common. This slightly smaller, more square-lined cabinets was used by Tele-Tone, Silvertone, and I believe Firestone too. They all use the RCA knobs. I believe Raytheon-Belmonts very square-lined cabinet portable was unique only to that company.

Radiotronman · #8 03-10-2016, 01:47 PM

The trapezoid sentinels are cool, especially the wood ones. But that bright orange leatherette cabinet with polished brass face is the best looking!

wa2ise · #9 03-10-2016, 05:21 PM

Reminds me of one of these:

Radiotronman · #10 03-10-2016, 06:26 PM

Hey, I have that Eico oscilloscope!

decojoe67 · #11 03-11-2016, 07:14 AM

When I first started-out in hobby I was sure these vertical portable TV's were oscilloscopes. Not only are they unusual, but they work well (particularly the Sentinel/Airline models) and take-up a tremendously less amount of space than a typical '40's TV's.

dieseljeep · #12 03-11-2016, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decojoe67

When I first started-out in hobby I was sure these vertical portable TV's were oscilloscopes. Not only are they unusual, but they work well (particularly the Sentinel/Airline models) and take-up a tremendously less amount of space than a typical '40's TV's.

The Sentinel made set is transformer powered and heavier.

decojoe67 · #13 03-11-2016, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

The Sentinel made set is transformer powered and heavier.

Yes, and, as expected, play better than the others, but at the price of a being heavier, although not terribly more. The Tele-Tone is surprisingly light. About the same as a late '40's-early '50's Zenith Transoceanic.