RF modulator in an older TV - Hardware & Software

This is the most technical sub-forum on FP so I'll try here. Anyways, I recently cleaned up and restored a 1966 Zenith B/W tube TV set. [IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/ballsandy/100_0951.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/ballsandy/100_0950.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/ballsandy/100_0945.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/ballsandy/100_0965.jpg[/IMG] Short of the classic rabbit ears, this is about as "classic" as you can get with the solid wood chassis and three knob front panel. Anyways, we are about to lose the analog NTSC format here to ATSC and that means that the tuner in this thing will no longer be any good so I want to install an RF modulator [i]inside[/i] the chassis so I can plug in newer hardware and still use the set. I got the box and it's as simple as they get and I'll wire the power into the power jack inside the set and install the RF cabling inline with the tuner and the antenna jacks but I don't know how to mount it. I want just the A/V inputs sticking out the back cleanly and nicely marked but the RF coax and power also come out the back of the modulator... [img]http://img.alibaba.com/photo/10076214/RF_Modulator_RF007.jpg[/img] ...so I can't just screw it to the back and call it good. I can only think of two other ideas. One is rearrange the internals of the modulator so I can have only the necessary jacks and switches sticking out or make some sort of bulkhead and screw down the modulator somewhere inside the case. Both ideas require a fair bit of work but is there another way to do this and not make it look like crap?

I like your pirate flag [editline]02:08PM[/editline] What you could do is to simply mount the modulators on the back of the TV, and with individual holes drilled out for the ports to come out.

[url]http://www.nexxia.co.uk/product.asp?product_code=NX-WP-003&category=Phono%20Audio%20White&section=Audio%20Wall%20Plates[/url] Put one of these on the back and make short patch cables? Also, Good job restoring old tech. My dad's side of the family owned a TV shop for years doing this stuff.

[QUOTE=B1N4RY!;24623159]I like your pirate flag [editline]02:08PM[/editline] What you could do is to simply mount the modulators on the back of the TV, and with individual holes drilled out for the ports to come out.[/QUOTE] But then I have the power and coax leads sticking out and then going back into the case which kinda looks a little unprofessional. Edit: [QUOTE=Tezzanator92;24623318][url]http://www.nexxia.co.uk/product.asp?product_code=NX-WP-003&category=Phono%20Audio%20White&section=Audio%20Wall%20Plates[/url] Put one of these on the back and make short patch cables?[/QUOTE] Only if it came in a wood grain or bakelite brown.

That, or cut out a square hole that matches the front of the modulator and hold it with some brackets.

You could replace the antenna at the back of the TV with the 'TO-TV', simply removing it from the back of the modulator and connecting it directly to the tv's signal. From there, all you'd have to do is as binary said, and drill holes for the cables, or put it where the old antenna used to be, as removing the antenna would make a nice hole up there.

[QUOTE=MIPS;24623341] Only if it came in a wood grain or bakelite brown.[/QUOTE] Closest thing I can think of in terms of keeping it look stock-ish Is maybe 3 Neutrik NF2Ds or something. [url]http://www.neutrik.com/uk/en/audio/204_1386454248/Phono_%28RCA%29_Sockets_productlist.aspx[/url] If I find a Bakelite (or a lookalike) plate I'll be sure to post.

Hmm. I guess I'll just have to whip out the soldering iron and get a bit creative. Thanks for the tips.

You should watch out for them old CRTs, the glass is not normally bonded so if it implodes it could spray glass everywhere. Also older CRTs can emit low to moderate levels of x-rays especially if there is a fault.

There is a sticker that clearly states that the tube is fitted with an implosion-prevention device. Also, working with radiation is part of the fun.

I bet that TV will die sometime soon, because of it's age

[QUOTE=MIPS;24623341]But then I have the power and coax leads sticking out and then going back into the case which kinda looks a little unprofessional.[/QUOTE] You can always crack open the case, desolder those connectors and solder them back with extension cables, and leave them on the inside

[QUOTE=thf;24639104]I bet that TV will die sometime soon, because of it's age[/QUOTE] I don't, CRTs like that have build quality of a different age. My grandparents still have a 30" Zenith from the early 50s that is still going strong. Takes forever to power on but still has good picture quality. Finding replacement vacuum tubes for old sets is hard though.

[QUOTE=4RT1LL3RY;24657419]I don't, CRTs like that have build quality of a different age. My grandparents still have a 30" Zenith from the early 50s that is still going strong. Takes forever to power on but still has good picture quality. Finding replacement vacuuum tubes for old sets is hard though.[/QUOTE] Seconding this. Electronics (and even mechanical stuff like cars) today are pretty much built to be disposable. They use cheaper and cheaper materials and methods of fabrication, and make things so small that they are impractical to repair. There was a time, however, when things were built to last. This TV could very well work for many years.

Sorry, didn't know that :v: