Early Electronic Television RCA TRK-9 (click on picture for high resolution image)
The TRK-9 was introduced in 1939, together with the TT-5, TRK-5, and TRK-12. This set is a direct view 9 inch receiver, with an AM/SW radio receiver. The cabinet is in fair condition, with some veneer missing. The chassis are in good condition, with only a small amount of rust. It now displays a crisp, clear picture, probably the best of any early electronic set we have restored. While restoring this set we noticed a service tag with the name John McDermott on it. We knew the set originally came from Newburgh, New York, where RCA conducted a marketing test of its TV sets in 1939.
A RCA advertising brochure about the Newburgh test Darryl Hock discovered that he also had a set from the Newburgh marketing test. His was owned by John Crawford. Here is the service tag inside his set: 
The TRK-9 has a socket on the rear to allow connection of an external phonograph, such as the RCA model R-100. 
Rear view of the set. On top is the CRT, then the radio chassis, television chassis, and on the bottom left the radio power supply. The TV power supply chassis is on the bottom right. |
