I’m about to ask a foolish question to those who have purchased Spectrum software for use with T/S 2068’s. Have you ever had any difficulties in trying to load Spectrum programs? Of course you have. Some programs just will never load properly.
The Spectrum doesn’t require as high a volume to load programs as does its American counterpart. So many Spectrum programs are recorded at much lower volumes than most T/S software. Lower recording volumes also make it more difficult for “pirates” to copy such software.
Radio Shack has an inexpensive solution to this problem. It is a small “Mini Amplifier/Speaker.” It costs $11.95, and the part number is 277-1008. Be sure to get a nine-volt transistor radio battery free with the “free battery card” they always offer you.
The Mini Amp has a combination on/off and volume control knob. It also has input and output jacks that match the cassette cables you use with your T/S 2068. With judicious routing of the twin leads on your cassette cable, you won’t need anything else.
Start with low volume levels, and gradually increase the volume on the Mini Amp until your program loads. When you finish loading, turn off the volume on the Mini Amp. It continues to drain the battery unless you do. Higher volume levels drain the battery more quickly than do lower volume settings.
If this sounds deceptively simple and too good to be true, it is. The $11.95 price tag is probably less than the cost of that Spectrum program you haven’t been able to load, so it will pay for itself the first time you use it.
Not many peripherals can make that claim.