Atari 2600 versions

[FireTiger]

Ok I went and looked up on the FAQ about the consoles for the 2600 as I now have 3 - all six level button types. (and one skicky buttoned 7800)

 

On two of them (sears) Tele-game system and one of the VCS Ataris there is no "channel slecet" or anything even close, I just got the other atari 2600 from the flee market (with about 10 diffrent controlers with all but three working and two of those dead compleatly and 10 games all but two working which have a garuntee on them).

 

I hooked it up and I got a fuzzy, diagonally scrolling snow-grey screen that was compleatly uplayable but showed that power was working. So I started to trun it over to get a good look at the type of screwdriver I would need to find and it has a Channel switch underneath...

 

I switched it with the screwdrivwer and plugged it back in and it works, except for the sound of snow and 'random' groaning sound from the audio.

 

This is probally R/F? I'm using original switch box and power supply, and the place near the tv where the console sits is the same for each machine.

 

WHat is this switch, (what does it really do), why does only 1 of 3 systems that i own have it and what's the easyest way to fix the sound. (I got confused with the other explanations for fixing R/F sound.)

[ApolloBoy]

Check the RF cable for frays.

[FireTiger]

No frays...really dirty all over RF looks new.

 

All switches work, THe b/w switch changes the frequency of the noise.

[Ralph3]

There is supposed to be a grounding jumper across the switches that could've came unglued that I have come across and replacing that helped a few of the problems I had snow/misc noises.

[FireTiger]

There is supposed to be a grounding jumper across the switches that could've came unglued that I have come across and replacing that helped a few of the problems I had snow/misc noises.

 

That would be inside right? Not sure If I should open it up.

[Max-T]

The Heavy Sixer i just got has no channel select switch, unlike the 2600jr I have been deling with for the past several years.

 

CPUWIZ, Mitch, and others have a far better knowledge of the 2600 than I. So I would first suggest asking them directly (they're nice guys) before cracking open you 2600 and attempting manual repair.

 

But if their advice does not work for you, here is a thought. I used to onw a "Scott"-branded VCR many,many moons ago. It had rotary switches for the tuning of every VHF channel. I guess this was before the tme of cable's standardized frequencies.

 

If you can locate a VCR of similar vintage to your Atari, perhaps you can find the controls necessary to fine tune the signal without having to crack open the Atari's case.

 

Apologies to the group moderators if I have provided bad information. But I think this might help.

 

Max

[FireTiger]

I'll get on asking someone in a PM, the one that's having trouble is actually a 'lite 6er' I have three 2600's all sitting next to eachother and I didn't check which was hooked up. I bought a new switch box form Raidoshack and the Atari/CA heavy 6er is working fine but the other one is still having sound problems.

[BassGuitari]

The Heavy Sixer i just got has no channel select switch, unlike the 2600jr I have been deling with for the past several years.

 

It should be on the bottom side of the console, on the left side of the serial # sticker. "Channel Select A-B" I think B is channel 3, i forget since I haven't used the switch in so long. One of them is channel 3, the other channel 2. The switch itself is actually inside the console cabinet, you'll need a screwdriver or something to reach it.