1983 & 1986 RCA Console Television Sets
 

I have one each of the above Television Sets. I would like a little information to verify if my discovery holds true. I have found that both my 1983 &1986 RCA Consoles both have a 8 pin CRT Neck Socket with the Focus Pin located in the same spot on both CRT Sockets. I am assuming that these CRTs should work in either set? The 1983 has a Gray Metrix CRT and the 1986 a more black matrix CRT. The colors of the two Televisions vary alot. The 1983 seems more defined and has a better coloring than the 1986 Model.

Of these two televisions which is actually the better? I find that the brand of converter box has alot to due with the quality of picture you get. My 1986 tv doesn't like the screw on type of coax cable with a certain brand of converter but doesn't matter on my 1983 whether you use push on or screw on terimanl type of coax cable.

I wonder if 1986 set doesn't need the turner adjusted somehow. I can adjust the tuner on the 1983 as it is the rotary dial style yet. It has the AFT Switch.

There is a good chance the CRT's are interchangable.
As far as which one is better ( or better new) you need to
compare the chassii for features. Post the CTC numbers &
model numbers for both sets and we can see what level they are at.
RCA would have had 2 or 3 chassii in any given year for a 25" set.
A Chevy, an Olds & a Caddy............
There are a lot of variables as for pix quality.

Sets level when new
CRT aging
Chassis aging
Adjustments both customer & service
Personal taste

73 Zeno:smoke:

1983-Model GR618S
1986-Model GLR689PR

GR618 comes to a ctc 120A
GR681 comes to a CTC-120D. Main difference in the two IIRC--the D uses OSD, dont know if the A does.

There is no such thing as a 'gray metrix(sic) CRT'. The standard gray face phosphor deposition method came first and has no such fancy marketing name. Then much later someone got the idea that if one placed a black outline of the dot grid on the screen before depositing the phosphor dots, thus outlining them, that it would improve contrast, focus, and convergence(which it does).

I think he is referring to the faceplate coloring. Grey tinted VS more dark tinted. Just my WAG.

I would fancy to guess All 1983-on CRT's are black matrix. Likely before that. Pretty sure the RCA with the removable focus connector is.

The 2 chassii are almost identical. Its the base
chassis at the time & should give about the same pix
when new. Any major difference would be the adjustments or
a weakening CRT most likely. If you havent try a by the book grey scale
on it. You will need a manual or someone to copy the procedure to
do it right.............


73 Zeno:smoke:

The 1986 was adjusted and Grey Scaled by a TV Repairman last Fall. He told me he did the best he could do for want the TV has left in it.

The 1986 has some color bleeding in the Picture Tube. When he turned it up all the way with a Black & White Picture it showed some green . Like I said he tried to adjust it the best he could.

Then maybe you should be looking for a newer picture tube for either of your sets.

You need to get the tube number from the paper label inside the cabinet, or off of the tube itself. You never know, somebody might have what you want laying around their basement/attic/garage/storage shed, or all of the above!

If you get a tube with a yolk and magnet already on it, leave it on, because you would have an awful time getting the convergence right after installing a tube with a different yolk and magnet assembly.