SCP-65  (140-1206)           Hints and Tips            Faxback Doc. # 9854

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-65.  Use the following cleaning procedure after
every 20 hours of operation.

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

2.  Open the cassette compartment door.

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

4.  Use a cotton swab dipped in denatured alcohol or tape head cleaning
    solution to clean the play head, pinch roller, and capstan.

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

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

RESTORING TAPE TENSION AND SOUND QUALITY

After you play a cassette 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 turn the tape over and fast-forward to the end
again.  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.

(br/all-02/28/95)