SCR-54  (140-0745)            Hints and Tips           Faxback Doc. # 9915

ERASING A CASSETTE TAPE

For the fastest and most thorough tape erasure, use a bulk tape eraser
such as Cat. No. 44-232.

1.  Set TAPE/AM/FM/FM STEREO to TAPE.

2.  Load a cassette tape you want to erase in Tape 2.

3.  Press RECORD.  The tape deck records over the previous recording.

Notes:  Erase cassette tapes in a quiet room.  The tape deck records any
        sounds in the room.

        The recorder's Automatic Level Control (ALC) automatically adjusts
        the recording level.  Adjusting VOLUME does not affect the sound
        on the recording.

        Set DUBBING to HIGH or NORMAL (with no tape playing in Tape 1) to
        record dead air with no external sounds.

4.  Press STOP-EJECT to stop recording.  Then press STOP-EJECT again to
    open the cassette compartment door and remove the tape.

PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL ERASURE

To protect your valuable recordings, cassette tapes have an erase-
protection tab for each side of the tape.  If you break off a tab, you
cannot record on the corresponding side of the tape.

If you later want to record on the tape, place a piece of heavy plastic
tape over the tab's hole.

Note:  A bulk eraser erases  a cassette tape regardless of whether or not
       the protection tabs are in place.

RESTORING TAPE TENSION AND SOUND QUALITY

After you play a cassette tape several times, the tape might become
tightly wound on the reels.  This can cause playback sound quality to
deteriorate.

To restore the sound quality, fast-forward the tape from the beginning to
the end of one side, then completely rewind it.  Then loosen the tape
reels by gently tapping each side of the cassette's outer shell on a flat
surface.

Note:  Be careful not to damage the cassette when tapping it.  Do not
       touch the exposed tape or allow any sharp objects near the
       cassette.

CLEANING THE TAPEHANDLING 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 cassette procedure after every 20 hours of
tape player operation.

1.  Remove the batteries and disconnect any other power source.

2.  Open the cassette compartment door.

3.  Press PLAY to expose the tapehandling parts.

4.  Use a cotton swab dipped in denatured alcohol or tape head cleaning
    solution to clean the record/play heads, pinch rollers. capstans, and
    erase head.

5.  When you finish cleaning, press STOP-EJECT and close the cassette
    compartment door.

Your local Radio Shack store sells head-cleaning kits.


(LB/all-04/03/95)