I finally got tired of typing in every program I wanted to run. Retyping all those programs over again had to be harder than learning how to save them on tape. Here’s a run-down of some of the things I learned about saving and loading that might help you.
Using the SYNTAX cassette eavesdropper (Dec. 80) avoided that loud buzzing noise, reducing it to a quiet buzz audible only through the earphone. Try it out. Your family or roommates will appreciate it.
Being economy-minded, I saved as many programs as possible on one tape and used the rewind and fast forward to locate them. After I saved several programs and couldn’t get them to load, I found out that rewinding and stopping the tape in the middle of a saved program puts glitches in the program. Then it won’t load correctly. Moral: Use short tapes instead of the 90 minute kind and put only a couple on each side. Always rewind to the beginning and let it play through to the program you want.
As I merrily typed in programs and saved them, I found to my chagrin that one especially long one wouldn’t reload and I had already cleared the screen. Second moral: Record each program at least twice before you clear it by loading or hitting NEW to make sure you get at least 1 good save.
Then someone took my eavesdropper away to make an adjustment and I couldn’t stand the buzzing noise so I turned down the volume. This really screwed up the saving and loading. Third moral: Volume is critical. Leave the setting at full, treble up, bass down.
I also found that recording a voice title ahead of each program could cause problems. Inserting and removing the jacks repeatedly gives a greater chance of putting them in wrong or making a loose connection. To avoid this, record 2 copies of only 1 or 2 programs on each side, and label the tape with the names and order. If you must use a voice announcement, use an external mike (the hand-held kind).
Jim Holder wrote to say he solved his loading problems by switching to a better quality audio tape. He now uses Radio Shack Supertape or equivalent. He also uses a subdued background noise recorded with the voice to easily identify the silent period.
So here’s my almost fool-proof saving and loading process: To save, press SAVE, then start the recorder. Wait for the buzz to come to full volume. Press NL. After the program comes back on the screen, record several seconds of buzz, then stop the recorder. To load, press LOAD, then start the recorder. Listen for the quiet period, then press NL. Wait to hear the buzz again before stopping the recorder. Then rewind the tape. Never turn the recorder on or off during the quiet period or the program supercharged buzz.
Also keep in mind suggestions from SYNTAX readers to avoid interference by using a non-metal table and keeping the computer away from the TV radiation.