Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffhs
Many older (late 1940s-early '50s) large-screen TVs used 30 or more tubes. Remember, commercial television was just getting started at that time. I don't know if there were any such things as multi-function tubes in those days, so it may have been that the manufacturers were forced to use one tube for each function of the TV. The tube counts didn't start decreasing until multi-section tubes were developed.
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This is true and good information for newer folks in the old TV hobby. I just wanted to ad that the DuMonts like that RA-109 were packed with every bell and whistle that the once great company's engineers could dream up. Muntz TVs are proof that you can make a basic TV set with minimal circuitry. Probably would be the best restoration candidate for any beginner, although I have never run into one.
I did however have an RA-109 DuMont years ago and it was really amazing the quality and intriqisy of the build, both electronic and aesthetic. The power transformer probably weighs 20 pounds. They were more or less for the wealthy as an RA-109 was about $1K I think. I personally would like to own a "roundie" table model of that era.