SCP-54  (140-1094)            Hints and Tips           Faxback Doc. # 9809

CORRECTING TAPE SLACK

Take up any slack in the cassette tape by turning the hub with a pencil.
If you do not remove excess slack, the tape might become tangled in the
record/play mechanism.

CORRECTING TAPE TENSION

If you repeatedly play a cassette tape, it can become tightly wound.  This
can cause high-pitched squeaks during play or it can stretch the tape.  To
loosen the tape, fast-forward then rewind the entire tape.  If problems
persist, repeat this procedure.

CLEANING THE TAPE-HANDLING PARTS

Dirt, dust, or particles of the tape's coating can accumulate on the tape
heads and other parts that the tape touches.  This can greatly reduce the
performance of the SCP-554.  Use the following cleaning procedure after
every 20 hours of tape play.

1.  Remove the batteries.

2.  Open the cassette compartment door.

3.  Press PLAY to expose the tape-handling parts.

4.  Clean the playback head, pinch roller, capstan, and erase head.

    Note:  Your local Radio Shack store has a full line of cleaning
           supplies.

5.  When you finish cleaning, press STOP and close the compartment.

DEMAGNETIZING

The play head in a cassette player reads the magnetized metallic particles
on the tape's coating to play the sound.  Eventually, the head and other
metal parts the tape touches become slightly magnetized.  This reduces the
quality of the sound.  To remove this residual magnetism, use a
demagnetizer (such as Cat. No. 44-207).  Follow the demagnetizer's
instructions.

FCC INFORMATION

This cassette player/radio complies with the limits for a Class B digital
device as specified in Part 15 of FCC Rules.  These limits provide
reasonable protection against radio and TV interference in a
residential area.  However, your cassette player/radio might cause TV or
radio interference even when it is operating properly.  To eliminate
interference, you can try one or more of the following corrective
measures:

    Increase the distance between the cassette radio and the radio or TV.

    Use different outlets for the equipment and the radio or TV.

    Consult your local Radio Shack store or an experienced radio/TV
    technician if the problem still exists.

(br/all-02/27/95)