+Cafeman Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 I have a 2 port 5200. Recently I bought a 4-port, but I notice that the cable is thicker than my 2port's -- I think I read that the RF and power supply are combined somehow? Please give me suggestions on how to use the 4 port 5200 -- I have the 2-port's cable and power chord, and I have an RF of course. DO I need to buy or make some new cable connection?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 To use the 4 port you need the special RF Switchbox. The cord is thicker because it also carries the power to the system. Personally I think it was a great idea except the stupid switchbox always causes interference on my TV (snow, ghosting, wavy lines, etc.). Must be because it's not shielded very well. I don't think you can jsut go in and switch cables since theres no place to plug the power cord into the 4 port (it plugs directly into the switch box). You might be able to mod it somehow but that would be alot of work. If you need a switchbox e-mail me and we'll work something out (maybe for the price of some code tweaking), I have 2 extra ones, but the wire on the inside is bent down. You can easily fix them by straightening it out, but I never wanted to take the time to do it. BTW the wire I'm talking about is the copper wire that actually plugs into the TV (like the little copper wire in coax cable). The 5200 switchbox used a really bad design that had a circle of metal prongs shielding the wire, but the wire was sitting free inside (no plastic around it) so it was really easy to bend down if you didn't line it up with the hole right. BTW you can use the same power supply, they look slightly different but are the same. The one that came with the 4 port had the wires (the plug and the power cord) coming out of different sides of the transformer, the later model (same as all the other 8-bit power supplies) had the wires coming out of the same side. Tempest [ 01-16-2002: Message edited by: Tempest ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Cafeman Posted January 16, 2002 Author Share Posted January 16, 2002 So I only need a switchbox then, right? I don't think I'm interested in yours, since there seems to be something wrong with it and I have no idea what you are trying to say. I don't suppose I can just buy one of these types of RF's at Radio Shack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 Cafeman: Matt is stating that on the Coax connection that actually plugs into the TV itself..that the center wire is bent down a bit on his switch boxes. It would be just a simply reforming to get that where it needs to be. As for the RF box question itself. No you can't get a box like this at Radio shack. What you could do is look aroud the 5200 FAQ here and you will see instruction on how to make a switch box for the 4 port model from a normal RF switch box. You can also modify the 5200 itself. But then you have to solder in some wires and a connector for the power supply and you have to remove the choke from the 5200 mainboard to remove the power connection. Otherwise you will smoke something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 Umm yeah, what Crossbow said. The RF Switchbox for the 4 port is a special piece of hardware, not the same as the kind you get at Radio Shock. It's more like a early form of the automatic switchbox like Nintendo used. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 I forgot to mention..that Cafeman...I have two spare working 4 port 5200 switchboxes. One of them I had to replace some burned out components in...but it works like a champ now. Talking over with several experts they figure that someone in the past tried to plug an 800 power supply into the switchbox and fried it. But again, I had to replace an Op Amp in it and a Transistor to get it working again. The other spare I have is 100% and I haven't done any work on it as it didn't need any. However, these two switch boxes are different. The one I repaired doesn't have a Coax Ant In on it...it just has the VHF screws...the other however, does have both Ant. inputs. Either one you get doesn't matter in less you want to connect your cable or VCR through the thing. Myself, I have a seperate TV for my game systems and have nothing but the game systems connected. Some sort of trade would be the preferred method of those as well. Let us know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 So the power supply for the 4 port 5200 is different the Atari 800 powersupply? I always assumed they were the same. Are the powersupplies for the 2 and 4 port 5200's different? Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 Tempest: Yes the 4 port is a 12V the 2 port is a 9v. (or is it the other way around?) Anyway, I have at least 4 different powersupply styles for the 5200, for 2 ports and 4 ports. Either PS will work with either system. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Cafeman Posted January 16, 2002 Author Share Posted January 16, 2002 Just so I completely understand you -- I can get the 4-port RF and use it with my 2-port Power Supply, on my 4-port system, with no problems? Also, I understand how you guys like to trade, but I have little to trade. I have a few duplicates of 5200 and CV games, nothing rare I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 Yes, you can use your 2 port power supply in a 4 port RF. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 I also have an extra 4-port switch box, and it is in PERFECT condition-it even has the sticky pad on the back of it to stick it right to the back of your TV, it was never used(plastic is still covering it). I'd be VERY happy to trade you for a 5200 game, if you have any good ones I don't have, and I don't have many 5200 games yet, so chances are you'll have something for me...whatcha' got? Assuming you haven't already made a deal with someone else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemmi Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 Best electronics still has them new in box i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 Here is one: 5200 Switch box (4 port) Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 Wait, now that I look closer, that one is clearly broken. Under the 2 flat wire screws on the left side should be a round coax connection. It seems to have been snapped right off. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Cafeman Posted February 6, 2002 Author Share Posted February 6, 2002 Yes, I received it 1 day after we last talked. Nice doin' business with you -- but I haven't tried it out quite yet. Did you play Popeye yet? What's your thoughts on the game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted February 6, 2002 Share Posted February 6, 2002 Just wondering if you received the switchbox Cafeman. I hope it arrived all right and has solved all your 5200 problems (as it's magic and makes everything on the 5200 work right! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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