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1949 DuMont Telecruiser
The "Golden Telecruiser"
TV Equipment
The bus was updated by WFAA on several occasions. The equipment you see is what was found with it, and presumably was what was in use during its later years. Sadly there is no DuMont equipment with it.
Here's one of the Marconi MK-IV Image Orthicon Cameras from the bus. We are told these were marketed in the USA by Ampex. We're looking for more. If you have one, we need to talk.
Here's some of the equipment we got with the coach, including the early 1960's GE audio console, (they were awful - I used to work at a station that had one) Camera cables on reels, Marconi Power Supplies, sync generator and camera electronics. To the right are some 9" tube type Conrac Monitors. Behind them is a 1957 BMW Isetta "project car." The Flxible is in better shape than the Isetta.
More goodies from the bus. The dark gray box in the middle is a Conrac VHF TV Tuner. It is still tuned to "Channel 8."
Marconi Camera Controls for three cameras. These things required a full time engineer to set them up, and operate them while in use. The operator kept brightness and contrast ratios in line, as well as insured that everything was working OK. The job was called "shading." It's a far cry from your point and shoot camcorder that effortlessly makes great pictures and cost $399.00!
GE Audio Console c. early 1960's. These were the first audio consoles I ever saw with linear faders rather than round knobs. They used a device called a "Raysistor" to control audio. Essentially, there was a light bulb at one end of a small metal tube. A photocell was glued into the other end. When you raised the fader, DC power lit the bulb. The higher the fader was pushed, the brighter the light. The photocell responded to the light variations and controlled the volume. It was awful. There was about a one half second delay between the time the fader was raised and when the audio actually got louder (or softer). It was very disconcerting to use. I hated these consoles!
Conrac tube type monitors.
More goodies
Houston Fearless tripods for the cameras. We are always looking for more of these things. Any leads, and/or donations are sincerely appreciated and fully tax deductible. We're a 502 (c)(3) not for profit corporation.
Another shot of the Marconi MK-IV camera head. We only got one head with the bus, but we have CCU's cables and power supplies for two more. We'd like to find them.
