Granted that RCA is a brand that doesn’t mean what it once did. These days, the name is owned by Thompson, who sells consumer goods under the name. Good they’re keeping it alive, and they’re to be commended for that. But frankly, the magic isn’t what it was.
Back in the day, though, they were the premiere line of all things electronic.
One of my favorite times in radio was working on vintage RCA broadcasting gear, including the mighty 5000 watt BTA-5G installed in the 50’s at what was WSAY. A touchy beast, and took 20 minutes to warm up, and perhaps another 10 to wind up to full power…. but when treated well, it responded with a sound few of the new boxes out today would ever give you. The station was at the time a commercial operation. These days, the thing is owned by the local ‘public’ broadcaster, WXXI. But here’s the old beast, now, along with the new main transmitter, a Harris MW5 put in in the early 80’s. To me, this place was home for nearly 5 years. (BBCT: Fybush) [1]
I even had an RCA CB radio, in the day… a Co-Pilot SSB mobile…and the thing was a screamer….
Those days are long behind the name, now, alas… but still, it’s kinda sad to see the RCA dome fall. My guess is the name will continue it’s long slow fade.