The suck that is the Channel F II System!

[Shinju]

Hey All!

 

I recently got another one of these gems and this one was working, so I bought it and took it home and let is sit for a few days. I finally got time to play around with it and I went to hook it up (RF wire and F-swtch) and I got a picture for a split second and some static and that was that.

 

I tried another RF wire and F-switch dongle and still no dice, as I was holding onto the tip of the connected RF wire and touching the metal part on the TV I got the shit shocked out of me EFFF!

 

This is while the system is off or on, So what dies in these amazing feats of technologies! This is the second Channel F that I have got that has not worked, the first one was a gamble as it was dug out of a bargin bin years ago at PRGE and this one looked brand new, not a spec of dust on it as if it was never used.

 

Anyone have seen or know of a site or have some repair tips? I do pretty advance repairs on flat screen TV's as a hobby so I know my way around a Fluke and Iron.

 

I havent taken this one apart yet but I have heard these are almost impossible to repair like the Balley Astrocades are.

 

Grrrrr, one of 4 NTSC systems I have left to get in working condition!

 

Channel F drama DAMN YOU FAIRCHILD!

[CatPix]

Getting a shock out of the RF tip can happen - it's electricity into this stuff heh.

 

My first bet would be the power supply; also, if the Euro ones are built liek the US ones, check the connectors linking the different parts together - except the shitty ribbon cable. Do'nt even think about removing it, as it's copper glued on cardboard, and the glue have vanished. Once you pulled this crap out, it's DEAD. (well, you will have to solder wires to relink the cart connector to the board, but it's crap stuff)

[Shinju]

lol!

 

I get there is voltage coming though the RF, but enough to knock ones hand back? This was doing this with the system on or off!

[CatPix]

Off? That's weird. At least on the Euro ones, the switch physically disconnect the power on both lines. (can't recall if that's before or after the power supply) Maybe your RF unit is defective.

Try looking for even a crude A/V mod to check out if the unit is working so you'll know if it's worth working on them or not.

[SoulBlazer]

You might want to check with Willie and/or Scott, the two people who do the Channel F Podcast. They both have original systems and have made repairs to them, they may be able to assist you.

[BassGuitari]

You might want to check with Willie and/or Scott, the two people who do the Channel F Podcast. They both have original systems and have made repairs to them, they may be able to assist you.

 

There's a Channel F podcast? Sweet!

[Shinju]

Might have to do that, I been super busy on the homefront so I have not had any time to deal with it at the moment.