RCA TK41 Television Camera wanted
 

Just in case someone knows of one, I'm still looking desperately for a RCA TK41 television camera! Finders' fee paid! I posted once before but would like to keep it fresh in case one is known for sale. If anyone knows of one, please call me!! I need pieces or parts of any of it. Camera or CCU. 865-288-0900 eves Julian Burke

Julian, did you ever try that lead I had at Maryville College ? Supposedly they got one of the Knoxville TV stations' cast-offs...Prolly just a rumor, but...

In double checking with Maryville College and their maintenance department that would handle anything like that, they assured me that no TV studio ever existed there and no cameras were ever given to them. At one time a small radio station was operated by the students but that is apparently defunct. There never were any TK41's in Knoxville-only two TK42's that channel 6 donated to me about 18 years ago. The other two stations used Norelcos and GE. That's about it for K-Town and surrounding areas.

Do a google search for chuck pharis in los angeles area. He has over a hundred studio cameras including some 41s. The price will be astronomical. I bought a norelco PC70 from him a couple years ago. The price was merely stratospheric. --Tom

Somewhere during the Writer's Guild strike, I saw a photo of a prop shop in H'wood who was bemoaning the loss of business during the strike in the article. The photo with the article showed a woman/owner standing in her shop in front of a line of two or so TK-41's and the abominable TK-42. All on vintage pedestals.

I presume they are just the cams only and hollow shells at that, so stop the heavy breathing right now.

No idea where I saw it, but the west coast contingent must know of this.

Dave A

"Houston-Fearless"...Shit, I'd like to have one of those just because of the name...An' yeah, I've always kinda, sorta, you know, sorta like wanted a TK-41, too... I have absolutely NO use whatsoever for one, have no electronics savvy, so I doubt I could ever get it to gee & haw, but still...

Everyone who likes television cameras knows Chuck Pharris. I have sold a few items to him over the years but I emailed him about a year ago in desperation for a '41. What I received from him was a borderline arrogant reply as: "I have one that I might sell but before I sell it I will strip it of all parts I need to complete one of mine and if I decide to sell it it will be very expensive. And if I do sell it, you are at the very bottom of the long list of people who want it". WELL! I guess he told me.

I have done very well over the years finding stuff with over 1000 microphones, 100's of very early radios, over 100 TV's with 35 pre 1962 color sets and have quite a few TV cameras with NO credit to Mr Pharris. I have been collecting over 35 years and if I had been interested in cameras then, I'm sure I could have had as many cameras today. I believe in showing my collection for historical and educational purposes which I do all the time--I do not have my shining face beaming in every picture as if I am saying "LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE"!!

Remember, he is the one who wants you to donate (give) him valuable stuff. He uses his website as a "begging" tool for "donations" and many engineers are happy to get rid of stuff that they need the room for but you will not get anything out of him. If he ever sells anything, it will either be worthless or you will pay some astronomical sum for same.

BTW, his website does have some some good content but it is very junky for layout, redundant, difficult to navigate and is in no particular order with all items difficult to ever find again. It also contains links to totally unrelated topics. I would expect a far better, state of the art website coming from a "professional" TV guy as they are really not expensive to do so anymore.

I have moved into a new 5500 SF home and have a good deal of space for my collection. Just wait until I get my site up!!

So Julianburke: how much would you want for a pair of RCA 77 or 44 microphones? Broken insides but more or less intact outsides is fine. Thank you. Feel free to write me off forum. thomash85715@yahoo.com --Tom

Ebay is your source for those items. Those items are hard to find at any reasonable price, sold for high prices and you can't replace them for twice what you sold them for! I do have plenty of mikes for trade only for ones that I don't have and presently looking for early European pro mikes.

Possible TK-41 Location
 

A few years ago i visited a TV station in my hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. WCOV-TV there had a TK-41 in their building on display. They had newer color cameras but kept the 41 for the history of the station. They are the FOX affiliate now but were an indy when I visited. They have been on the air since 1953 and were CBS for years. But you might try and contact them; I have no idea if that camera is still there. They are WCOV-TV Channel 20. They do have a website and it might pay to contact.

Julian, some time when I come to Knoxville, I sure would absolutely LOVE to see yr collection...An' I promise to bring a towel to mop up the drool ! (grin)

That camera is is well known and still there but it is part of their history and will never part with it. If anyone is in Knoxville and would like to see my collection, please contact me. I have enough to keep you occupied for hours!

I wonder how many TK-41s were made ? 1000 ? 2500? 5000 ? They had, I think, a long production life, maybe 8-10 years, but I'd imagine the newest ones are pushing a good 40 years old.. I wonder how well they fared after they got mustered out of front-line service, too...

did i tell you once to try WLUK TV-11 in green bay wisc? i was in their basement once about 9 yrs ago and they had a tk-41 sitting on the floor collecting dust..i cant remember who the head engineer was at the time,maybe if you call them as ask to talk to the head engineer,at that time they were trying to get rid of a camera dolly that was used for that camera,it was simply too large for me at the time..

Here are a few pictures of part of my collection. I am far from finished in this radio room as I have not fully moved everything out of the former residence. The pictures are poor but will be reshot when the website is setup. Yes, that is a 1954 Admiral 15" color set that is only one of two known. There are also 5 sets of NBC chimes in the left side of the showcase and the scanning disc TV is a 1929 Telehor for the european market that is one of four known. (only one in this country) This built in microphone showcase (was two walk in closets) is 15 feet wide and many of the cameras and TV's will have another room of their own as this room is for the better small stuff and it filled up quickly. The Federal radio in pic 3 is a model 59. Oh yeah, notice the ORIGINAL Nipper?

BTW, The black metal RCA color is a CTC11. It is in need of the little rectangular emblem on the bottom left that says "RCA color". Die cast is there but the plastic hologram insert is missing. Anyone have a spare from a salvage?

http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio1.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio2.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio3.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio4.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio5.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio6.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio7.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio8.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/julianburke/studio9.JPG

I think what we can say about Mr. Pharis is typical of a "junk dealer". Make you pay to get rid of it, and charge some poor fool through the nose to buy their "treasures".

The same mentality exists no matter what the item being collected.

I'd be curious as to what he "paid" for the CT-100 and NIB CRT.

Julian,

Where did you get the WROK mic on the stand? I used to cut through their property past their three sticks to go to grade school in Rockford, IL. The owner of the station, Vern Nolte was famous for inventing the flip-up capstan roller used in every tape cart machine ever built.

Dave A

It came out of the late Dr. Muchow collection in Elgin when it was all auctioned off. A friend of mine got the mike and all I wanted was the flag as I have many 77's.

OH MY GAWD !! I am in AWE...Scratch the ONE drool-towel...I'm gonna hafta bring a bunch...

Ebay is your source for those items. Those items are hard to find at any reasonable price, sold for high prices and you can't replace them for twice what you sold them for! I do have plenty of mikes for trade only for ones that I don't have and presently looking for early European pro mikes.

Don't know production numbers, but intro dates of the TK-42 that replaced it and a lot of pix of various RCA cameras are at:
http://www.oldradio.com/archives/hardware/TV/RCA-TV.htm

Well, if it doesn't have to be a TK-41 or even a color camera, here's an RCA TK-60 for you. :yes: It's only $11,500 for the whole camera chain. And for another $35K you can get a TR-22 video tape recorder with it.

Well, er... this ad was published over 40 years ago, so they may have sold out by now. :D

I'd like the Ampex VR1000C tube type VTR for 25K better deal and all tube electronics. But the RCA is soild state and only needs 117volts at 2KW. Higher price but will pay back on the power bill. Nice ad from the past.