Timex/Sinclair 1000 Tape Loading

[Tony Duell]

> 
> I'm having a hell of a time getting any program to load, so far I've been
> Totally unsuccessful.
> 
> Anyone have any tips or advice they can throw at me?
> Would love to hear anything at all :)

I've never used a ZX81 (or similar), but some tips that have worked on 
other machines and which might help

A cheap mono cassette recorder is better than a hi-fi stereo one (!). 

Try using fress batteries (or a good, regulated, bench supply) to power 
the recoerder, not the built-in mains PSU. The latter can cause hum on 
the output which causes problems

For much the same reason, keep the recorder away from the TV set or 
monitor (particulalry away from the side where the flyback transformer is).

Make sure the heads are clean. Clean them again. And, for that matter, 
demagnetise them.

Connect only the 'ear' lead for loading (and only the aux or mic lead for 
saving). With some computers and some recorders you can get a feedback 
loop if both are connected, leading to a nice oscillation on top of the 
wanted signal.

Try various volume settings, of course. If you have a tone control, turn 
it to maximum (at least to start with).

-tony