Those 8" RCA portables from '56 or thereabouts are pretty neat & plentiful, but are sposed to be kinda hard to work on. They are, to my eyes anyway, Tres Kewl....(grin)

The 8-inch RCAs are good performers, but I wouldn't recommend one to a beginner. Nothing impossible to deal with, but the chassis is cramped.

http://www.antiqueradio.org/rca16.htm

Larger 1950s tabletops with metal cabinets are also plentiful and cheap. I love my Zenith T1816R, which has a big screen and is very watchable.

I would avoid 1940s 7-inch TVs for the time being. The high-voltage supply can be finicky to restore, and the tiny picture tube is not very satisfying to watch, for most people accustomed to watching larger screens.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

Sadly, yes :D at least that many, if you throw in all the 5" Chinese Jellybean sets it's way over that now.

I have a list that I need to update.

Phil - that baby RCA must have been a revelation when it came out!

This Admiral has built in UHF - up to ch 83... is that unusual? Cabinet is all metal....bzzzzzzttt!

So, have you tried (slowly) powering the set up yet? :yes:

It might surprise you, I have one just like it that still works and hasn't been recapped.

sounds like the kind of stuff we're having fun with here in Europe! :yes:

You guys are a bad influence on me .............. naaahh, just kiddin'. Fairchild, after getting your message I thought you might get a kick out of the attached pix.

I read these posts and get inspired to dig around in the garage to see what I have laying around. I thought I had a Turquoise/Cream portable... and I do. It's a GE. What I'd forgotten is that I also managed to pick up (literally from the trash set out at the curb) another one, a Coral/Cream model.

The model number on the Coral one is 14T009. Looks very closely related to the Turquoise one, though the model number faded off on that unit. The Turquoise unit has a little flip down stand. The Coral one appears to have it's original rabbit ears.

I have a green GE just like that one. It shows a faded 14T017 as the model number. Mine never had the legs that I can tell. That's a neat trick!

Mine had lost his badge off the front before I bought it. Is this a part that'd be easy to come by? I know it's cosmetic only, but it'll make it a bit nicer than three holes :) I'm also looking for some good antenna replacements. There some sort of swivel ball connection that the rods clip in to at the base. Is there a generic cross?

This old TV stuff isn't really my thing, so I'm unqualified to answer your questions. Here's a couple pix of the antenna on the back of the Coral and cream TV. It sort of looks like the factory installation to me, but I'm not sure. Also a couple images showing the fold up legs and logo from the Turquoise set. Hope that helps. Thanks for the heads up on that model number!

Hey Roger, You are not accepting PMs or messages on your profile so this is the only way I could think of to get ahold of you. I have been working a lot of OT and during the day, I usually work at night, I should return to my normal schedule soon. I work at a school so I can make you a nice book for the Moto just like the original, or close. I will use the blue paper that is close to a match as well. Pm me if you see this, I will need your details. Or send an email to [email protected], thanks
Mark