Power Issue with a Zenith SM1973 System 3 Space Command with Space Phone
 

Hi,

This set was our basement TV after i snagged it at the ETF a few years ago for $5. It was made in 1979, has the Ultrasonic Space Command 3500 remote, and all of the documentation, including the bill of sale dated 10/30/80 for $689.95 without the stand, manual and door hang tag.

I want to turn it on one day, and all it does is make this mototboating type sound out of the speaker, no picture or anything else.

Any ideas about this issue, or which module in the mess of modules and wires that could be the issue.

I have never worked on a Zenith before.

Thanks,

Matt

First thing I'd do is look for bad solder connections on the 9-160 module.

OK, I will start there.

Isn't that like a common issue with those? I'm surprised Zenith of all companies would have such bad soldering.

Sure its a common problem. The 9-160 module used to be really easy to find for replacements, too.

I never had one come back after a good resolder job.

The big can capacitor is another common failure.

If memory serves me right, look also for oxidized connectors on the 9-160 module. They can cause that also.
Solder problems... made in Mexico. At least the module is not ROHS and filled with that wonderful no lead solder....

What is space phone?

Space Phone was a feature of some high-end Zenith TVs of the '80s. It basically allowed the user to make and receive telephone calls through the TV and showed the dialed number on the CRT screen. I do not think or believe, however, it had caller ID -- the on-screen display only showed the telephone number (with area code) being dialed at the time, and to be honest, I don't believe any of the telephone companies themselves offered caller ID thirty years ago (the technology that makes caller ID possible probably didn't even exist at the time).

I never had a Space Phone-equipped television, but I read everything about Zenith TVs (the originals, not today's "Zenith"-branded flat screens) I can get my hands on, so I know a little about the Space Phone system -- but not nearly as much as VK member Doug, drh4683 in Chicago. Space Phone was available for only a year or two, and was discontinued by the end of the 1980s. It never returned and, of course, is not offered on today's "Zenith" branded flat panel TVs, the guts of which are made by LG.

Hmm that's interesting sounds neat. I would think they would have it on some to todays tv that do everything…

My cable companies cable boxes do the reverse of this. If you have their phone service, it puts the caller ID on the TV screen, and can show you previous calls.

I remember playing with those Space Phone equipped sets when I worked for a Zenith dealer. IIRC the audio sounded like you were talking through a long cardboard tube. More gimmick than useful in my opinion

Much how a newer cellphone sounds compared to a landline.

Hi all,

Well i resoldered every connection on the 9-160 main board, replaced some caps that looked iffy.

Still having the same issue.

I made a YouTube video to show that is happening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW4YgrvG2Vk

Matt

So theoretically you could hook a Zenith Space Phone TV to the cable box and get caller ID and full speakerphone functionality... :banana:
Did Zenith ever make a TV with both Space Phone and Zoom?

Normally it'sthe 9-160 or 9-152 Did you check the horiz output transistor?