Another CTC10 found - Videokarma.org TV - Video

julianburke · #1 05-12-2009, 06:11 PM

Locally here in East Tennessee, I found a RCA CTC10 "Longport" with its' original remote hand unit! It has a sulphide screen FB from what I can see. Looks like it was not used much as many of the surviving ones are. It was found in a basement that is somewhat wet and water running through when it rains.

In a nutshell, set is saved!! Here is the update from "almost lost" of yesterday:

This morning I was going to try to "find" him again. He has both of my numbers but of course never calls. On the news this morning was a terrible accident on Spring Hill Dr and the entire block is cordoned off for several hours. That's where the house is. Just my luck again and he wasn't at that little flea market early this morning. I went on to Pigeon Forge but cut my day short & came back around lunch. Thought I'd try it again and find him--Guess what?? He was there! As I park my truck he walks off and couldn't find him. (another obstacle) Finally he appears again with his 3 year old. I asked him about the accident, he was real nice and said he had to go the backway so now the ice is broken (found him friendly) and time to move in for the kill. I told him sorry for yesterday and hope I didn't offend him, said his wife was being a pain and had to go right then hence rushing me out. Long story short my wife watched his space and his 3 year old while we went about 1 mile away to get the set! (seemed too easy at this point) Got it loaded and then feeling sorry for him on our way back I gave him $50 instead of the agreed 40. (Yup, I'm generous!) Since he wouldn't part with the SP-600, I asked him if he liked ham gear and that I had something for him, a Icom 2 meter mobile rig that the display doesn't work and that "his friend" that wants to fix the SP600, should have no trouble with this. (more bait!) It looks neat though. So looks like I made a good friend and turns out his mother and I have another mutual friend. So with the extra $10 and the Icom, he may sometime down the road let me have the SP600. (Ulterior motives are great aren't they?)

The CTC10 had some surface mold and wiped down rather well. Cabinet has virtually no damage except for the rear right leg has a little wood (possibly rotted) missing on the very bottom and not very noticeable. I slipped the back off and the sulphide FB is a Colorama (replacement) and had an original RCA service tag and it turns out that this house is the original owner. No dates (except 8-18/no year) and the owners' name. Chassis looked pretty nice with no rust. I stored it in my driest and warmest warehouse where the cabinet/flyback will dry and air out entirely. "Longports" are very hard to find and everytime I find a scarce set, I never see the same again. This one will make a very nice set and should have great color. I only hope that the coils don't have any little green specks on them.

After it dries out in about 6 months, I want to disassemble it entirely down to the wood cabinet itself and scrub everything. It was in a smoking family and all the knobs etc have that brown stuff all over but they still are all in real good shape. It still has all of its' original screws and the 2 clips. Only thing better would have been if it had its' owners' manual.

I'm sure when that house is sold, this TV would've been put out to the curb. (Can't you just see the kids playing with it out by the curb?) Another success saga of rescuing an old survivor! Let's see, does this make 36 or 37 that I have tucked away? I've lost count.

Well, all's well that ends well but that family still looked like something from "Deliverance".

Moral of this story: They are out there!! You just have to keep vigilant, ask and network at every flea market and hamfest. Talk to real estate and tag sale people. They're out there!

Pictures:
http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...VintRCATV2.jpg
http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...VintRCATV1.jpg

Here is what it is: http://novia.net/~ereitan/Gallery/im...port%20800.jpg

*zenithfan1* · #2 05-12-2009, 06:17 PM

Fingers are crossed!

bluenorm · #3 05-12-2009, 07:47 PM

Persevere and you will win

old_tv_nut · #4 05-12-2009, 08:04 PM

wish you luck!

joemama99 · #5 05-12-2009, 09:07 PM

The things we have to endure for our hobby!That set will be well worth the aggravation if you get it.Best of luck..

jeyurkon · #6 05-12-2009, 10:27 PM

The pursuit will make it all the more enjoyable once you have it.

John

Sandy G · #7 05-13-2009, 05:49 AM

He may be nutz on that SP-600..Early ones have about 17 zillion BBOD (Black Beauty of Death) caps in 'em, so even if he "fixes" all the tubes, it still may not work. Where is this guy, Julian ?