1956 RCA Wayfarer Portable
 

I just picked up off ebay this 1956 RCA B&W 14" portable, known as the Wayfarer, model 14-S-7079G. It is in great shape. No major scratches or paint missing on the metal case. Just a couple barely noticeable dents and the handle is missing. Pretty common on these as they're pretty heavy for a plastic handle. It should clean up great. I love the blue color.

Inside's a little dusty, no signs of trouble, but I haven't pulled the chassis so I don't know what's on the other side. The off on volume pot won't stay in the off position, so I'll be looking for a new one.

I haven't tested the CRT yet. I'm going to recap my testers this weekend and I'll test it later, but the getter looks good. A couple of Sylvania replacement tubes and some of the RCA tubes are dated last week of '56.

Got the Sams off the ETF website which is a big help. My thanks to them!

Here's a neat old tv ad for this same set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE6zMgv_4ec

I have one that looks identical except it has a black plastic handle, it's a 14-S-7069. All the sets that used the stitched leatherette handle seem to have lost it over the years. I have the 7070-G with a missing handle.

On RCA's the last digit usually stands for the color, 0 is Red, 4 White, 1 is black or grey I think and the two tones blues must be 9?
I think the first digit after the S is also the model year, i.e.1957.

Phil's Site has a full explanation of the model number scheme. http://www.antiqueradio.org/rca09.htm

There were a couple of models that used the black, permanent type handle instead of the floppy luggage kind.

Here's a magazine ad showing the difference:

http://books.google.com/books?id=K1Q...yfarer&f=false

The ones with the plastic handles seem to have been lower level sets than the ones with fabric handles. I wonder if there is any circuitry difference, i.e Deluxe vs Super?

According to the Sams website they all use the same folder, which is here: http://www.earlytelevision.org/pdf/R...ams-354-16.pdf

In the ad it lists difference in the more expensive sets as having a V type antenna, a leather handle, and a "Living Image" picture; whatever that is. I guess those were worth an extra $15 back then.

The only difference I can see in the Sams is that some models had an extra RF choke on the plate of the 6CH8, and a different VHF-UHF tuner.

The only difference

IIRC, there was a difference in the tuners, in the VHF only sets. Probably, the lower priced sets had a penthode tuner, instead of a cascode. I remember seeing that in the service manual.
The tuner takes up half of the chassis space. A full power transformer and 5U4 rectifier, in a 14" portable! :thmbsp:
Look what GE and others got away with. :scratch2:

Living Image = aluminized picture tube

This place used to and may still have a good selection of leather handles to potentially replace the missing one. http://www.vandykes.com/

I like these. Have 2 of them...STILL I was SURE they would have been stolen last year in the robbery of my garage. One is in the house garage---but the other is STILL at the garage, along with 2 8" RCA metal BW sets and an emerson metal 8" portable. Surprising--since the bastards seemed to be after metal, they would miss those!!


I am NOT all that fond of the styling--BUT I LOVE the chassis. As you said it is cold. Not that many 14" BW sets of the time were I am not sure GE EVER made a cold set of that style--not till the "m" series chassis in a normal style cabinet, at least.

BOTH of mine are missing the handle, like yours. ANd 2 others I had about 30 years ago--one red, and one white--also had missing handles. both of mine are red. One I am SURE has a good tube.

Re: the power switch won't stay "off." Sometimes the grease or dirt in them keeps them from working. Try some control cleaner in the switch portion, even if you have to carefully drill a tiny hole in the switch housing.

A buddy of mine has the same set and it is really a top-notch performer.
For those handles I was told to go to flea-markets/thrift stores and check out old bags for a suitable one. This way too it might have a little expected wear.

You mean to check out old women? They do usually have a little wear. :D

:):nono: Haha!

'Ol nag rode hard and put up wet huh?

:lmao:

John,

Failing any of the other suggestions re: the handle, I might suggest taking a photo from the commercial and having the handle duplicated. Someone who repairs luggage, or even a cobbler could easily craft that handle.

-Steve D.

Thanks for all the suggestions. These sets are pretty heavy and I think the original handles were just leather. That would explain why they're always missing since they're just too heavy for them. I think I might try to figure out a way to make some kind of metal or nylon strap for it, and then wrap new leather around that.

I was thinking a few zip-ties, there are longer heavy ones that would work. Maybe use an old handbag for the leather and the thread used for steering wheel covers.
I have two of these great sets, one white and one gray. Both have good CRTs and broken handles. That is one neat looking set anyway.

The thing that always gets me is that GE could sell their inferior version for just about 10% less, while RCA used a vastly superior tuner and power supply.

There are plenty of handles available on line. Loads of choices.