Radio Shack TRS-80 User Manual page 45

computer to tape. This simply
means copying
the
program
twice
on
the
same
tape
—
one
recording
right after the other.
On
long clumps, one
is
made
in
one
direction
and
the other
one
in
the other
direction.
For
extra safety, especially
important programs
are recorded
on
more
than
one
tape. Failures are
rare,
and your
own
experience should be your
guide.
You may
have noticed
that specially
wound
Radio Shack
Computer Tape
has
no
plastic
leader
on
the
ends. This
is
because
when you
begin
"dumping"
data
from
memory
onto
tape
there
must be
real live
tape there to record
it.
Radio Shack's
Computer
Tape
is
of high
uniform
quality, selected especially for
its
low
"drop out"
characteristics.
If
one
little
bit
of data
is
lost
the entire
program
can be
lost.
This
Tape
is
wound
in
shorter
than
usual lengths,
with
the
C-10
being standard.
It
will
record 5
minutes
in
each
direction
—
far
more
than
enough
for the
majority of programs.
Your
entire
4K
of
memory
can be recorded
on one
side
of the C-10, with
the other side
quickly available for
another program without need
for a long rewind.
Experienced "computerists" have found from experience
that
it is
better to use
a
separate
cassette (or at least a separate side) for
each
program
rather
than
try to search
through long
tapes for a
desired program. Since
computer
data
on
tape
is
not readable
by
the
human
ear,
separate
cassettes solve the problem.
Computer
Tape, tape racks and other recording
acces-
sories
are available
at
your
local
Radio Shack
store.
When you
are
not
using the
Recorder
for
loading or
recording,
do
not
leave
RECORD
or
PLAY
keys
down
(press
STOP).
Do
not expose recorded
tapes to
magnetic
fields.
Avoid placing
your
tapes
near the
Power
Supply,
Do
not attempt to re-record on a pre-recorded
Computer
data
tape.
Even though
the
new
recording process
erases
the old recording, just
enough
information
may
be
left
to
confuse
the new
recording.
If
you want
to use the
same
tape a second or third time, use a high-
quality bulk tape eraser to be sure
you
erase old
data.
If
you want
to save
a
taped
program permanently, break
off
the Erase Protect tab on
the
Cassette (see the
Tape
Recorder's
Manual).
When
the tab(s) has been broken
off,
you
can
not
press
down
the
RECORD
key on your Recorder
(this will
keep you from
accidentally
erasing that tape).
Ground Loops
With some
recorders,
if
you
leave
the Earphone and
Aux
jack
connected
at
the
same
time,
when you make
a recording,
you'll
end up
with a
hum
added
to
the program (you can hear
it
between double-dumps).
This
is
caused
by
a
ground loop
in
the
Recorder and
cables.
To
avoid ground loop
problems, keep only
the
Farphone
or
the
Aux
plug
connected
BUT
NOT
BOTH.
Normal
audio tape
life
lead
-ins
on both endar
;
:;UB
(typically blue
nan
-magnetic mylar
material)
—
•;
you
cart
not
record
on
the leader portion of
tapes.
Advance
the tape past the leader before recording
a
program.
If
you
record programs on
long, standard audio
cassettes, use the
Tape
Recorder's Counter
to aid
you
in
locating programs,
Ground
loop
is
an
electronic
tetm which
meahs
there are
two
separate
gronnd
connections,
each
being
slightly
different
—
the result typically
is
hum
(and
you
don't
want
or
need
that).
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