Broadcast Electronics 3000 Series - Page 141

The NAB specifies that tape tension at the capstan should not
exceed 6 ounces.
Cartridges over 70 seconds in length tend to
have too little tension, while those less than 70 seconds tend to
have too much. When running, a properly wound cartridge moves
tape freely with no reluctance to wind onto the hub. To increase
the tension in a cartridge, open up the splice and gently pull
on the tape as it wraps onto the hub. To decrease the tension,
open up the splice and gently pull out several loops from the
center of the hub. Trim off the excess and resplice the tape.
THE SHELL
A deformed shell can adversely affect frequency response by dis-
torting the tape path. In particular, a warped cartridge may
cause the tape to traverse the head openings in an arc or bowed
path rather than a straight line. Sometimes an ill-fitting top
can spread
the sides of the cartridge enough to cause this same
bowing. Check suspect cartridges on a flat surface.
Periodically the cartridge center post should be cleaned. Gummy
deposits on the post increase tape tension by not allowing the
tape hub to turn freely. Equally important to free movement of the
hub is the washer. This washer should always be in place under-
neath
the tape hub, between the hub and the shell. This washer
is easily misplaced when the cartridge is opened and the hub removed.
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