{"id":226,"date":"2020-03-15T00:47:17","date_gmt":"2020-03-14T22:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?p=226"},"modified":"2026-09-22T20:52:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:52:17","slug":"atari-2600-static-sound-audio-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/2020\/03\/15\/atari-2600-static-sound-audio-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Atari 2600 Static Sound Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/82575640_577989183052425_978229130090774528_n-1013x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/82575640_577989183052425_978229130090774528_n-1013x1024.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/82575640_577989183052425_978229130090774528_n-297x300.jpg 297w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/82575640_577989183052425_978229130090774528_n-768x776.jpg 768w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/82575640_577989183052425_978229130090774528_n.jpg 1109w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since I was young I always wanted to own an Atari console. We didn&#8217;t have one but our neighbors did and we used to go to their house to play on the one they had.  So in 2019 I decided to buy a vintage gaming console and  I found a good looking one on ebay.  After a week of bidding I won the auction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A month later the console arrived, first issue I faced was connecting it to my old PAL tv.  The coaxial cable didn&#8217;t fit, though it seemed it will, but it just didn&#8217;t. So I started looking locally for adapters and after some search I managed to combine couple of  coaxial adapters into one (see below gallery)<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235517.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"832\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235517.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"230\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235517.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?attachment_id=230\" class=\"wp-image-230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235517.jpg 624w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235517-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235527.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"832\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235527.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"231\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235527.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?attachment_id=231\" class=\"wp-image-231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235527.jpg 624w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235527-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235554.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"832\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235554.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"232\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235554.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?attachment_id=232\" class=\"wp-image-232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235554.jpg 624w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235554-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235617.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"832\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235617.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"233\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235617.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?attachment_id=233\" class=\"wp-image-233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235617.jpg 624w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235617-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235641.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"832\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235641.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"234\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235641.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?attachment_id=234\" class=\"wp-image-234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235641.jpg 624w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235641-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235716-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"832\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235716-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"237\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235716-1.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?attachment_id=237\" class=\"wp-image-237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235716-1.jpg 624w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235716-1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235742-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"832\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235742-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"238\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235742-1.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/?attachment_id=238\" class=\"wp-image-238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235742-1.jpg 624w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_235742-1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After connecting all parts with the TV. I had to search for the tuning through the TV menu. So I sat the channel option on the console to channel 3 and went into the menu settings of the channel and started searching. My setting are in the image shown bellow<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"832\" height=\"624\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200315_005727.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200315_005727.jpg 832w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200315_005727-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200315_005727-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After successfully tuning into the right frequency I immediately noticed a problem with a very load static sound. Searching the web I came across the service manual for the 2600 4 switcher (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.developer.ps\/data\/atari2600_fsm.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Download here (opens in a new tab)\">Download here<\/a>). At first it seemed out that the issue is with the variable inductor, part L201, seen in the image below <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200310_175730.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"832\" height=\"624\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200310_175730.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200310_175730.jpg 832w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200310_175730-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200310_175730-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the marked parts are adjustable inductors, I tried to adjust their frequency with a  2mm allen wrench but found out that the inner adjustable piece was broken into pieces.  I search the internet for a replacement but only found it here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgmicro.com\/COL1147.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">https:\/\/www.bgmicro.com\/COL1147.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I ordered a couple of inductors since it was very hard to find them and I don&#8217;t know until when they will be available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the order arrived, I decided not to change the whole inductor but rather to change the inner  piece and keep the original one. So I desoldered the part, took out the broken pieces inside it and installed the one from the new inductor and put it back. I also noticed that their is another inductor inside the RF module which also had broken pieces inside it (the small rectangle on the bottom right in the above image) , so I did the same for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately after doing all that, the issue was still there. Jumping the two pols of the inductor seems to make a  it bit better, but the problem was still there, see video below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Atari 2600 - 4 switcher - static sound problem\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mz6C4xEgqDk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further investigation lead me to the audio caps and resistor, see image below<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_230934-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_230934-1.jpg 736w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200314_230934-1-300x163.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1- R207 &#8211; C010821 &#8211; Resistor 1 \/4 W 4700 Ohm <br>2- C206 &#8211; Cap. Polystyrene 820pF (50V) <br>3- C207 &#8211; Cap. Polystyrene 820pF (50V)<br>4- C208 &#8211; Cap. Ceramic Disc. OluF (50V) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am now looking to replace those parts and see if this will solve the issue. Found a refresh kit for atari 2600 <a href=\"https:\/\/console5.com\/store\/atari-2600-junior-refresh-cap-kit-new-capacitors-and-more.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\">here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile we keep playing games with a muted sound<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_163751.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"832\" height=\"624\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_163751.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"259\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_163751.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/2020\/03\/15\/atari-2600-static-sound-audio-problem\/img_20200131_163751\/\" class=\"wp-image-259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_163751.jpg 832w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_163751-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_163751-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_165046.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"832\" height=\"624\" src=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_165046.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"260\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_165046.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/2020\/03\/15\/atari-2600-static-sound-audio-problem\/img_20200131_165046\/\" class=\"wp-image-260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_165046.jpg 832w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_165046-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/developer.ps\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20200131_165046-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since I was young I always wanted to own an Atari console. We didn&#8217;t have one but our neighbors did and we used to go [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-video-game-console"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=226"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":281,"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226\/revisions\/281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/developer.ps\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}