2600 Picture Deteriorates after a Minute

[Darius Nefarious]

I own an Atari heavy sixer. After I switch it on, the picture looks great for about a minute. Then wavy lines appear (it looks like interference). This happens every time I use the system. Switching it off and quickly on again gives a clear screen, but it again lasts for only about a minute until the wavy lines reappear.

 

Has anybody encountered this problem before? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jsoper]

My childhood atari started doing this. Swapped out all three IC's and the problem was still there. Went away when the console was converted to S-video output, so my theory is that it was the RF modulator.

[Darius Nefarious]

Thanks so much for the info,  jsoper. This prevents me from having to go through the pain of diagnosing. I'll try swapping the RF modulator.

 

If there is a hardware FAQ out there, jsoper's information should probably be included...

[Super-Genius!]

There is a 5 volt regulator screwed to a piece of metal on the switch

board. The regulator is bad. After it heats up, it does not regulate

the voltage properly. You can buy a regulator at any Radio Shack.

[Osbo]

Hi! You might want to try the RCA Video and Audio modification (it's really easy and you find everything in Radio Shark for less than 5 bucks) and see what happends, I did it in my junior and it worked beautifull since then

Just my two cents

 

Osbo