Hello There! I'm new
 

Hello I'm from the East Coast and really happy to be here. I go crazy for the color TV sets from the 1980's! I really love the sets with fake woodgrain and the console cabinet TV sets. I myself have a small collection of old CRT's, 2 of them being from the late eighties. I really don't know anything on how to fix or repair TV's because I'm young but look forward to learning!

First off assume all the TV's i own or have owned are 13 inches unless i say otherwise. The first old Telly was a 1983 Color Zenith. The volume on it no longer worked and I didn't know how to fix it so i later sold it off ebay. I do have photos and videos about it though. Then i bought a 1993 Goldstar from a thrift store. Then i got a 1987 Color Emerson off ebay. After that my Gramdma gave me a 2006 Magnavox & 1992 Sharp Linytron. I then gave the 2006 Magnavox to a neighbor who doesnt have a TV and i gave the 1992 Sharp to my best friend to keep. Then a 1988 MGA from a thriftstore. Then a 1992 Hitachi from ebay.

So at the moment I have a
1987 Emerson with Remote
1988 MGA with Remote
1992 Hitachi with Remote
1993 Goldstar without Remote

Now i also bought a 1987 color 9" Solid State and a late 80's Sharp Linytron on Ebay recently. The 9" solid stateis on its way but as for the Linytron me and the seller are still working something out because the shipping is
unbelievably expensive. I have pictures for all the TV's I've owned. And will post more threads to each TV to explain its story etc. Happy Holidays!

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Welcome to Videokarma.

As far a servicing goes I'd recommend finding a sam's photofact service manual for whatever set you want to service. SS era sets require a bare minimum test equipment line up of a DMM, a capacitor ESR tester (decent ones can be had for under $15 on ebay), soldering iron, and sometimes a HV probe/meter. Other equipment you may find useful are an oscilloscope, and test pattern generator. Checking voltages and signals against the schematic/service data is one of the more important parts of troubleshooting. TV service books from the era you wish to work on are also helpful.

TVs especially color and non-first-gen solid state are very complex and hard to learn the basics of electronics on. I'd recommend finding a cheap All-American-5 tube radio and doing simple recap work on it, then if successful working on a tube monochrome TV (most 50's-60's models are cheap and common), then if that is successful getting a tube color/hybrid set, or a first generation color solid state (like a Zenith ChromaColor2 or a Motorola Works-In-a-Drawer. to work your way towards 80's SS TVs.

Many 80's sets simply need capacitors replaced and solder joints re-flowed, but the ones that don't will require knowledge to troubleshoot.

That said most folks here loose interest in sets newer than first gen solid state, and some don't even like sets newer than the early 50's.....So there is not as much talk of 80's sets...On the other hand you may be able to get more sets from those here that like them enough to save some from oblivion, yet don't like them enough to want to keep them long term. Some members here were service techs when your sets were new and can give you tips on repair.

Good to have you ! I like early 80's simulated wood grain tv's also ! It's nice to have
an old tv, that is very reliable at the same time. As they pop up you can add sets of
different time periods. Enjoy what you have !

.

The 80s ain't TOO bad-You can get a pretty decent collection of the teeny-tiny 1, & 1.5" sets, for usually very little money.

Welcome! If you ever make it down to the eastern shore, look me up. I have one or two Zeniths from 1980 or so that I'll give you. (13" and 19")

Welcome aboard enjoy the ride it only gets better we are a bunch of nice guys

Welcome. I prefer antique radios but I do have two '80's portable televisions.

Welcome aboard!

There's actually a "television transport corridor" that travels between Buffalo and Lancaster PA, and occasionally goes to the DC metro. Very often, I'm the guy at the wheel ;)

Welcome ashore :)

Good to know , I'll definitely try to be round when its near !

I need to get on board that.

Northern VA DC Metro area? I'm right around there. Leesburg, just shy of the Metro Silver Line extension (if they ever finish.)

You can go as far as you want to in this hobby..1980's sets are neat, they usually still work, & most of the time, they aren't too expensive. But sooner or later, you WILL run across a cute little refugee from the late 1940s..Mine was a 1948 7" Admiral bakelite cased set. They're still pretty common, and aren't too complicated. With a little TLC, they can give a pretty decent picture, at least something that will "WOW!!" yr friends. A late Fifties-early Sixties "Roundy" color set is another one that can give a VERY nice picture, something that will make you wonder WHY they ever bothered to get away from CRTs.

Welcome!