TAPE
GUIDANCE
Primary control
of
the tape
as
it
moves
across the heads
is
maintained
by
external
guides in the
head
bracket.
Guidance
is
provided within
the
cartridge
to
keep
the tape
traveling
the
same
path. This
is
generally
accomplished with tabs
and
grooves
molded
into
the
shell.
Of
primary importance
is
the corner post
which
must
straighten
the
tape before
it
passes across
the
front
openings of the
shell.
This
post
may
be
molded
into
the
shell
or a
separate
piece glued
into
a dimple in
the
shell.
CARTRIDGE
~~AINTENANCE
TIPS
The
cartridge
is
the second
half
of
the tape
cartridge
system.
The
cartridge
needs
regular
care
just
like
the
cartridge
recorder or
reproducer.
The
service
department of Broadcast
Electronics
has
developed over the years a
rule
of
thumb
for
trouble-shooting.
Check
the
cartridge
before
adjusting
the machine.
TAPE
For
maximum
performance, the tape must
be
in
good
condition.
The
tape in
cartridges
wears
rapidly,
particularly
in
short
length
cartridges
(70
seconds or
less)
and
cartridges
that
are used
fre-
quently.
The
tape should
be
inspected
regularly
and
frequently
for
obvious signs
of
wear.
Cartridges
should
be
rewound
or replaced
when
the oxide
side
of the
tape
is
shiny. Likewise the tape should
be
discarded
if
it
is
wrinkled, or contaminated with
fingerprints,
grease,
or
dirt.
Less
obvious are drop-outs or areas
where
the iron oxide
particles
have
come
loose
from
the base
of
the
tape.
Drop-outs
may
not
be
visible,
but
will
show
up
as a
loss
of
audio
signal.
If
possible
only
one
type
of
tape should.
be
used in a
single
installa-
tion.
Different
brands,
and
even
different
types
of
the
same
brand
of
tape
require
different
bias recording
levels
for
optimum
response.
When
rewinding
cartridges
use only a
graphite
lubricated
tape.
Silicone
lubricated
tapes cannot stand
up
to the rugged
service
in a
cartridge.
Every
cartridge
tape must
have
one
splice,
but
multiple
splices
can
cause problems.
If
the top tape ends overlap
at
the
splice
or
do
not meet
squarely,
the audio
may
dropout.
In
addition,
a poor
splice
will
catch
on
the
cartridge
or the hub. After a
splice
has
been
in
use
for
some
time, the tape tension
may
pull the
two
ends of
the
tape
apart,
slightly
opening
splice.
Proper tape
tension
is
most
critical.
If
the tension
is
too
great,
the tape
will
wear
rapidly
as
it
is
squeezed
against
the hub, the
pressure
pads,
the
corner
post,
and
the tape
on
the
hub.
If
the
tension
is
too
light,
the tape
will
not
be
pulled
back
into
the
hub.
7
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