Curtis RCD 898 - Manual (Page 14)

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C
ASSETTE
C
ARE
Two common causes of trouble experienced when using cassettes are:—
(a) Tape jamming — Leading to uneven speed in playback, and
(b) Tape tangling — Where the tape wraps itself around vital parts of the mechanism.
To reduce the likelihood of these problems occurring, the following precautions should be
observed.
Check that there are no loose layers of tape visible through the
cassette centre window (see Fig. 1). Take up any loose layers, using a
pencil or hexagonal barrelled ballpoint pen, before inserting the
cassette into the machine (see Fig. 2).
If the cassette feels "tight" while performing operation shown in Fig. 2,
the tape may be jamming due to "ridges" formed in the winding of the
tape (visible through the centre window). These may be removed, in
most cases, by fast winding of the cassette from one end to the other
and back again.
Use only well-known brands of tape.
Avoid use of C-120 cassettes.
Do not expose cassettes to direct sunlight, dust or oil, and do not touch the tape surfaces.
H
EAD
C
LEANING
The tape heads, pinch roller and capstan require periodic cleaning. This removes particles of
the metal oxide coating that wear off the tape and accumulate on these parts and impair
performance. Switch off the power, press the Stop/Eject Button to open the cassette door,
and press the Play Button. Clean the tape heads, pinch roller and capstan with a special tape
head cleaner. Avaliable from most HiFi shops.
Erase head Record/Play
Head Capstan Pinch
Roller
P
REVENTION
A
GAINST
A
CCIDENTAL
E
RASURE
To prevent a recording on a cassette tape being erased accidentally, break off the tab on
the rear of the tape, as in the diagram. Now recording on this side
is no longer possible. You can render this protection ineffective by
covering the hole with a piece of adhesive tape.
TAB FOR SIDE A