Any info. on a later RCA tv?

[AVeturri]

Hi, I have a 80s RCA which I have always liked. It is a CTC-120C with model FMR---- (don't recall the whole model number). It's the XL100 with the controls and the single-knob tuner with a,b,c,f,e,d, behind the door for UHF.
Besides raiding my local library for prints, does anybody remember these sets? As I understand, the company was sold shortly thereafter. The tube in mine is not like new anymore.

[radiotvnut]

Yes, worked on a bunch of them. They were made during the early-to-mid '80's, while RCA was still RCA and for a brief period after GE bought RCA. There was even a cheap console that used the newer CTC130 chassis that used this tuner as recent as '87-'88.

There were also some 19" sets labeled "Mural TV" that had a built in AM/FM radio and these were used mainly by hotels/motels. In the mid '90's, I briefly did some work for one of the low budget "flop house" motels and saw quite a few with the tuner shaft broken off from abuse.

The biggest problem with the 120's were the main filter cap opening up and a loss of color; which, was caused by a misaligned/defective trimmer cap in the chroma circuit. These were good sets and I have the standard two-knob tuner version buried in the basement.

RCA also made a 9" version and a 13" version, along with some 25" consoles, that used the one knob varactor tuner.

The single knob varactor tuner began to see widespread use in the mid '70's and was used by just about everybody (RCA, Sylvania/Philco, Magnavox, Zenith, Sanyo, etc). It was a way to add electronic tuning and still retain a knob style channel selector that so many people were used to.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Yes, worked on a bunch of them. They were made during the early-to-mid '80's, while RCA was still RCA and for a brief period after GE bought RCA. There was even a cheap console that used the newer CTC130 chassis that used this tuner as recent as '87-'88.

There were also some 19" sets labeled "Mural TV" that had a built in AM/FM radio and these were used mainly by hotels/motels. In the mid '90's, I briefly did some work for one of the low budget "flop house" motels and saw quite a few with the tuner shaft broken off from abuse.

The biggest problem with the 120's were the main filter cap opening up and a loss of color; which, was caused by a misaligned/defective trimmer cap in the chroma circuit. These were good sets and I have the standard two-knob tuner version buried in the basement.

RCA also made a 9" version and a 13" version, along with some 25" consoles, that used the one knob varactor tuner.

The single knob varactor tuner began to see widespread use in the mid '70's and was used by just about everybody (RCA, Sylvania/Philco, Magnavox, Zenith, Sanyo, etc). It was a way to add electronic tuning and still retain a knob style channel selector that so many people were used to.

I picked up one as a freebee, a few months ago.
Several years ago, the Police department was investigating a crime in one of those low-budget hotels. The detective noted that there was a lot of Smiths and Jones's on the registry.

[AVeturri]

Some great information there, radiotvnut. Mine is the 19" version. I have gotten comments from people visiting my house, that they think it's older than the 80s. I had to back off the contrast since the focus range isn't sufficient anymore at high contrast. Color is still spot-on though.
I believe it is from 1984, which means it is as old as me.

[DavGoodlin]

I had a 13" version of that one. It was my kitchen set and looked great. I gave it to a friend who still uses it as a bedroom set with a DTV box.

[AVeturri]

I'm using mine in the shed with a Digitalstream converter box... It has analog-passthrough which will serve me fine once my analog modulator set-up is in place!

[twbranch]

First of all, where are the pictures? Just sayin!

[AVeturri]

You're right!!
I have attached a couple of pictures of the RCA XL100. They were the pics the seller showed me.
I will post a pic of it in operation soon.
This thing had enough cigarette tar on it to induce emphysema. It cleaned up quite well, but was a chore.

[AVeturri]

Pics of my TV in operation. The broadcast equipment came in the mail today and I fitted my antennas to it so now I can receive analog 10 on the RCA.This movie is White Noise.

[davet753]

Lord, I remember those chassis well. We repaired a blue million of those things (in and out of warranty) where I worked.

The model you have there were very popular sets in my area. I thought they were a well-built, nicely designed TV.

[AVeturri]

I've been happy with mine overall.. Even though it was a high-use TV, it didn't need any repairs, only adjustments. The chassis was literally covered in dust, completely. The tuner needed a thorough cleanout with CRC non residue cleaner. The CRT is an A68* if I remember correctly. I bet it's near impossible to locate a replacement tube nowadays.
I just need to look into getting my tuner indicator lamp working....It lights but is not visible from the front. I suppose I need to dis-assemble the entire tuner and clean all the brown stuff out of there.

[Rod Beauvex]

Nice set. My stepmom had one, but the picture tube ruptured at the back.

There was one in the thrift store that had the digital tuner.

[AVeturri]

I only tune in channels 10 and 3 on my set. The fine tuning scheme is different than other mid 80s rotary sets, with a slug for each channel separate from the tuning shaft.
Watched a movie on it tonight and it still looks pretty good to me.

[dieseljeep]

There was one in the thrift store that had the digital tuner.[/QUOTE]

It seems that those older color table models are selling at the thrifts.
Their pricing structure always puzzles me.
Clean, later model portable and console sets. $0.99 to $3.99.
Cheapie, jelly bean and freebee Bentley, B/W sets, missing A/C adaptor, $3.99 and $4.99. New, in the box, $7.99 to $9.99.