"Fog" on screen

[Mostro Joe]

Hi everyone! A few days ago I just turned on my old Intellivision (it is more than 40 years old). Las time I did it, everything was fine. This time instead a sort of "fog" has appeared on screen.

Audio, controls and colors are really ok. The quality of the image is not.

Any idea about the problem?

 

Yes, I have put the modulator lever fully on the "game" side. And yes, I have tried yet the fine tuning of the TV. I have also tried a brand new RCA cable.

What can be the reason of the "fog"?

 

Thanks!!

[mr_me]

Do you mean static, that you would typically get with RF interference?  The cable should be RF insulated, typical av cables are not.  Do you have the original cable that came with the Intellivision.  You can also skip the switchbox and use a straight rca to f-connector adaptor.  Those switchboxes usually pickup some interference but not as much as an uninsulated cable.

[IMBerzerk]

A few other things to consider...

 

Connections themselves.  Make sure they're not corroded, dirty or broken.  Clean all contact points on the TV as well as INTV.  Make sure the Ch3/Ch4 switch is properly set in either and not in between.  Try each side of the switch as well.  

 

And... Believe it or not.  Make sure there is no LED light near the Intv.  The RF coming off some of these LED bulbs will give off static.  I found that out as well.   Drive myself to madness until I turned off the light...crystal clear picture.

 

Best way to run these now is what Mr.mr said above.  Straight in to the F port via the RCA adaptor.

[+fdr4prez]

And it would be nice to have a better description of what "fog" means. 

 

Static? 

 

Post a picture 

[Mostro Joe]

Sorry, I'm very late in replying, but I had no time for plugging in again my Intellivision to the TV.
So I'm sending a photo of the problem.

I'm starting to think it could be RF Modulator (UM1285-8). It can be a problem because it seems replacement parts are no more available.

Edited November 8, 2022 by Mostro Joe

[mr_me]

Looks like a bit of rf interference, it's not too bad.

 

Is it a PAL Intellivision?  It would have an rf modulator specific to that region, but I don't think that's the problem.

[+fdr4prez]

One thing that cleaned up my Intellvision console is to take a fine-sand paper (or an emery cloth) and clean up the RF jack, to remove oxidation on the port.

 

it did wonders for my console.

 

And using a new cable, too.

[Mostro Joe]

Thank you for your answers.
I cleaned the RF jack with alcool and some cotton rubbing. And I used a new cable.

And yes it is PAL zone here. The problem is the RF modulator seems difficult to find these days.

[mr_me]

A new AV cable can give you static.  It should be RF insulated, I use an RG6 cable.

Edited November 11, 2022 by mr_me