Replaced internal cable, still get RF buzzing noise!

[MFoolsRun]

Alright, I replaced my internal RCA cable in my CX2600A but I still get a constant buzz and slightly snowy picture on all my games (Combat, Asteroids, Missile Command, a few others). I'm guessing it's RF interference but I'm really not sure at this point. I've read that it could be an issue with my AC adapter; is that the next thing I should try replacing, or should I just give up and live with the fact that my 30-year-old videogame system has minor, ignorable issue?

[Longhorn Engineer]

Did you bypass the Switch box with one of those RCA to Coaxial adapters? Or you can go with a video mod and get pristine S-Video output.

[MFoolsRun]

RCA-to-Coax adapter. I have no skills with solder.

[A.J. Franzman]

The buzz is probably the 60 Hz (or 50 Hz, depending on where you live) power line frequency. Besides being picked up through the RF cable, switchbox, and any adapters inline with them, it can also be due to bad filter capacitors in the console and/or AC adapter.

[MFoolsRun]

The buzz is probably the 60 Hz (or 50 Hz, depending on where you live) power line frequency. Besides being picked up through the RF cable, switchbox, and any adapters inline with them, it can also be due to bad filter capacitors in the console and/or AC adapter.

 

And this is something the Atari would exhibit where other systems do not? It sounds like something a little more complicated to fix than I'd like, so I'll probably just turn the volume down and enjoy that it works at all

[KrazyKaiju]

A.J. may correct me on this, but isn't there a plastic cylinder looking thing on the bottom case with grooves on top, which holds the rf cable snug so it doesn't pull free? When I replaced the cable in my 4-switch many moons ago, I seem to recall looping the cable around this before setting the cable in the 'grip'. Someone told me that it works like a poor man's torrid coil. Giving this a try might help.

[MFoolsRun]

A.J. may correct me on this, but isn't there a plastic cylinder looking thing on the bottom case with grooves on top, which holds the rf cable snug so it doesn't pull free? When I replaced the cable in my 4-switch many moons ago, I seem to recall looping the cable around this before setting the cable in the 'grip'. Someone told me that it works like a poor man's torrid coil. Giving this a try might help.

 

My new cable isn't fat enough to be "gripped" by the groove, though I did rest it n there.

 

The buzzing/slight snow is exactly the same with the old and the new cables, though, which makes me think the cable isn't the problem.

[A.J. Franzman]

A.J. may correct me on this, but isn't there a plastic cylinder looking thing on the bottom case with grooves on top, which holds the rf cable snug so it doesn't pull free? When I replaced the cable in my 4-switch many moons ago, I seem to recall looping the cable around this before setting the cable in the 'grip'. Someone told me that it works like a poor man's torrid coil. Giving this a try might help.

My new cable isn't fat enough to be "gripped" by the groove, though I did rest it n there.

 

The buzzing/slight snow is exactly the same with the old and the new cables, though, which makes me think the cable isn't the problem.

If the new cable you put in is that thin, it probably isn't shielded, so it could be causing symptoms that look exactly like those of a damaged original RF cable. Best Electronics sells original-style replacement cables for $4.00. They also have an "upgrade" style with better shielding.

 

I don't know about the effectiveness of looping the cable around the slotted post as a means to reduce interference, but as long as you don't kink the cable and don't mind losing the 3 or 4 inches that it takes, it can't hurt.

 

BTW, it's "toroid" (shaped like a doughnut), not "torrid" (hot or passionate).

[KrazyKaiju]

BTW, it's "toroid" (shaped like a doughnut), not "torrid" (hot or passionate).

 

Yeah, but I'm always torrid about Atari.