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February 1969…The First RCA TK44s Delivered
In the first week of February 1969, WBAP took delivery of four RCA TK44As with the serial numbers 001 through 004. These camera were for their new mobile unit and I think near the end of the year, they bought four more for their studios.Three of the cameras had the Varitol 10×1 lens and one has the larger 15×1 lens. Yippie I O Ki A!
I was honored to direct Southwest Conference Basketball telecasts for TVS with this mobile unit in 1972 & 1973…with a great crew of professionals. Three cameras, one 2 inch tape machine for commercials. The tape operator was so good, that after airing a comm, he would rewind the tape, and record video so we could have replays. (In real time) He always stopped recording before erasing the next comm. Believe Johnny Smith was the EIC..They traveled to all the SWC locations, except Fayetteville, Ark. What wonderful time. Hope some of the “ole-timers” are still around to enjoy Eyes of Generation posts.
The WBAP mobile unit. Was that part of an RCA turnkey operation? WBEN-TV Buffalo had purchased a new color mobile unit, and the shape sizing in this picture looks exactly the same.
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