The last single-knob varactor tuned Zenith's?

[radiotvnut]

This may sound silly; but, when did Zenith finally discontinue production of TV's with the single silver knob varactor tuner? I was at a thrift store the other day where they had an '82 Zenith console that I think used the 9-181 style chassis. It still had the single silver knob varactor tuner with the words "electronic tuning" printed under the channel knob. Directly above the channel knob was a single pull-on/volume knob. They had another slightly older 23" 9-160 based Zenith console with a single knob varactor tuner, also having the words "electronic tuning" printed under the channel knob. For the exception of the "electronic tuning" wording, the design of this set looked more like the older CCII Zenith's with the single-knob tuner.

[truetone36]

I have one of those '82 model consoles. That's the newest single varactor tuned Zenith I've seen so far.

[kx250rider]

I think I've seen a few school/hospital Zeniths with the 16 or 20-position varactor as new as maybe '85 or so. The one with the 9-181 board, IIRC.

Charles

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

This may sound silly; but, when did Zenith finally discontinue production of TV's with the single silver knob varactor tuner? I was at a thrift store the other day where they had an '82 Zenith console that I think used the 9-181 style chassis. It still had the single silver knob varactor tuner with the words "electronic tuning" printed under the channel knob. Directly above the channel knob was a single pull-on/volume knob. They had another slightly older 23" 9-160 based Zenith console with a single knob varactor tuner, also having the words "electronic tuning" printed under the channel knob. For the exception of the "electronic tuning" wording, the design of this set looked more like the older CCII Zenith's with the single-knob tuner.

Man, if that were my thrift store, both of those sets would be sitting here right now.

[radiotvnut]

Those two Zenith's, along with an early '80's RCA colortrak, have been at that store for well over a year. When I first saw them, they were priced at something like $56.50/each. The other day, they were down to $43.50/each and the cabinets are not in the best of shape. I don't know how the picture looks on them.

[Robb]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

When I first saw them, they were priced at something like $56.50/each. The other day, they were down to $43.50/each and the cabinets are not in the best of shape.

What is with the odd number pricing ? And they even added 50 cents ?
Jeez !
They should each be priced at $30.00 or somewhere lower !

[zeno]

Wow that is a poser. I honestly dont remember any 9-181
set one knob jobs. May have been one of the "S" or "T"
models that the big sores got (and sometimes us).
They were often oddballs using up old designs. By then
I would think it would have been the same or cheaper to
use RAT or a skip /add set up.

73 Zeno

[zeno]

One other thing. Ever seen the 13" with continuous varactor
tuner ? Was that a 9-160 or 9-181 set ?? If a 9-181 set
an 18 pos. selector would not surprise me at all.

73 Zeno

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by zeno

One other thing. Ever seen the 13" with continuous varactor
tuner ? Was that a 9-160 or 9-181 set ?? If a 9-181 set
an 18 pos. selector would not surprise me at all.

73 Zeno

I watched a demo video of one that the owner said had a 13KC10 chassis. What would that be? That has an 18-position selector.

[radiotvnut]

This is the type of thrift store that thinks they are wal-mart and they get snappy when you try to get a better price on something. Concerning those TV's, they should put $5-$10/each on them and get them out of there. They didn't cost them anything and they are not likely to sell at their current prices.

[radiotvnut]

I've seen one 13" Zenith with a continuous varactor tuner and I believe it used a 9-181 chassis.

[Mal Fuller]

It occurs to me that even the first CRT televisions had electronic tuners. What else would they be?

[radiotvnut]

13KC10 would be a vertical chassis chromacolor II from the '79 model year.

[zeno]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

13KC10 would be a vertical chassis chromacolor II from the '79 model year.

Yup last year for it.
No easy way to tell the last selector model. Line folders
didnt have S & T models or institutionals. We got some
S & T spec sheets but only ones we could buy. I am
willing to bet that the last one was a 19" institutional set
though. Never got sheets on them, the sales were made
by a rep at the distributor only, we just got a small
"consideration" for a referal.

73 Zeno

[zeno]

Come to think of it I was in the hospital 10 yrs ago
& there were still some one knob Zeniths. Most others
were RCA CTC175 types that were worn out. Also
were changing to NAP flats & they really sucked.
I got stuck with a tired RCA, nothin good on anyways.
Never have the "beautiful people" pick your channel list !

73 Zeno