Jack the CRT Ripper

[Retro in RI]

So lately I've noticed curbside sets with the back ripped open and the back end of the CRT broken off. I'm assuming for the connector and copper. So far they've been later model black or silver sets so that, while a waste if they were functional, it really didn't bug me a whole lot.

Well yesterday I was out on my bike and saw two woodgrained sets on the curb. They looked like they had been in storage as the cords were neatly folded and zip tied and there was a layer of dust. Best of all, Jack hadn't "ripped" them yet. I was 2 miles from home and managed to get my car and get back in time. As I was walking toward them, some guy in a truck slowed to look at them too. I should have aked if he needed a set or just wanted the scrap, as I don't really "need" any more tvs.

Anyway, in the car they went. Got em home, plugged em in and hooked them to the DTV converter.They work great, not even a color adjustment needed!!! One is a 1989 19" Zenith Color Sentry. It needs a good exterior douching and the control panel shows some wear but not too bad, the other is a 1986 13" Sharp Lynitron in mint condition. Both are cable ready and electronically tuned. I'm a sucker for the wood grain models but prefer knob tuners. I just couldn't leave em there to get trashed though. I wish people would run these things over to the Salvation Army up the street or the Savers or goodwill. There are still plenty of poor folks out there who'd be happy to have them.

I did see a group of three later model sets too, one 19" and two 13", all in tact. If I had time i'd have run em to the Salvation army myself. It rained like hell last night so if they're still there, they got a soaking. Hope someone got them.

Al