"Reactor" bruce.gettel-at-myactv.net wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I have a 20" or so RCA / Thompson TV that is 12 years old. It appears
that the tuner is flaking out for some reason or another; the picture on
pretty much all channels is snowy to unviewable. It has sentimental value
so I'd like to get it working.

If I put some downward pressure on the F-connecor on the tuner, it
frequently will clear the picture up almost completely, for anywhere from
a few seconds to a few days. Then it's back to a bad picture.

I know the problem is not in the cable A) between the set and the wall and
B) between the wall and my splitter in the basement, as I have moved the
TV to a completely different location, used completely different cables,
and the behavior is the same.

My first thought is that the solder connections on the tuner, which
appears to be about the size of a box of matches, need to be reflowed.

My questions a

Do you agree that the reflowing of the solder joints *might* fix the
problem, and

Can I buy just the tuner module for this chassis, or do I need to by an
entire main board?

Where can I buy these parts on line?

Thanks!!

Wow, thanks for all the responses . . . . I'll get the soldering gun out
this weekend and let you know if I get it working.

BTW, just kidding - - I'll use a soldering iron. . . .