Atari 2600 problem

[neojapan]

Hi!

I just connected my Atari 2600, and I turn it on and all I get is static, you can see the game loads if you look carefully, but only rain and no sound. Changed to channel 2 and 3 and same thing. I tested several different RF units and they all show the same. here is a picture:

http://www.prtc.net/~neojapan/atari.jpg

any ideas to whats wrong?

thanks

[Enigmus]

This is all caused by RF basically being one big TV antenna, accepting any interference. Before you play it, make sure there's nothing close to the cable that emits interference. Also, for me, it's because the cord has to be positioned carefully. Whenever I play mine, I hook it up so that the RF cord goes over the top of my TV and then gets propped up on another Atari game before hooking up to the unit itself. This may help, depending on how worn down your unit is. Also, which model is it? I just gave the advice for 2600 Jr. users, so is it a six switch, four switch or the Jr.?

[Gameguy]

The RF cable itself might be bad, if you can replace it try a different one and see what happens.

[Oldskool]

Yeah sounds like the cable is bad or is accepting too much radio frequency.

Here is a "kit" on Ebay that comes with a new shielded cable and the pass through adapter so that you can hook it up to your cable/coax input on your tv.

Should provide a good picture.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-RF-SHIELDED-TV-Video-Cable-Adapter-Atari-2600-/270411320799?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3ef5c54ddf#ht_3283wt_930

If you feel that your cord is ok and doesn't need replaced, you can find just the pass through adapters on Ebay or at Radioshack for $3. Are you using the old style "tv/game" switch boxes?

Also, if you have several feet of cable slack, try winding it up and zip tie the extra, try to keep it in a bundle. The Atari cable is super long and is succeptable to a lot of interference.

Here is a link to a thread I just started that shows the adapter all hooked up.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146128