__ s _____ CTAR*-rECH JOURNll'~11.., _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A_uG_u_s_r_1_98_4 _ _
CALL
VIDEO GAMES CAN CAUSE
INTERFERENCE TO RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS
916-361-0565
I
WATER SOLUBLE
RESIN
This NEW solder has a
flux that you can clean off
with a brush and a few
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22-gauge, 1 pound roll -
$18.95
Laserdisc repair
service on
Pioneer,
Sylvania,
Magnavox,
Phillips
and MCA
25¢ conversion module
for 50¢ games
• One module per game
• Adjustable coin each
• Easy installation
• Module mounts behind
coin door
$24.95 each
TEM: State Police of a western state
complained to the Federal
Communication Commission that coin·
operated electronic games were causing
harmful interference to highway police
communications.
Operators should be aware that ALL amuse-
ment games, jukeboxes and vending
equipment having electrical parts may cause
interterence to police and other emergency
communications.
PROBLEMS AND ISSUES
The Federal Communication Commission
has received a number of complaints that
electric pulses from video games which have
not been properly shielded have caused inter-
ference with police and emergency
communications. The Atlanta office of the
FCC has been working on this problem and
will be the test area for the rest of the country.
The FCC Regional Office in Atlanta held a
meeting on June 6 with representatives from
AMOA, AVMDA and AGMA to discuss this
problem. Since December 1982, video games
are now covered under Class A computing
devices of the FCC rules. A computing device
is defined as follows:
Any electronic device or system that
generates and uses timing signals or pulses
at a rate in excess of 10,000 pulses per
second and uses digital techniques;
inclusive of telephone equipment that
utilizes digital techniques or any device or
system that generates and utilizes radio
frequency energy for the purpose of
performing data processing functions, such
as electronic computations, operations,
transformations, recording, filing, sorting,
storage, retrieval, or transfer.
OPERATOR ALERT
Logic board repair
service - pinball boards
and videos only; color
and black and white
monitor repair service.
LINEAR
ELECTRONICS
9795-H Business Park Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95827
The FCC is still in the process of revising Rule
15 which covers this area. Nevertheless, with
the rapid increase of conversion kits, there
are a number of precautions that must be
taken by operators so that you are not in
violation of the law. Operators are urged to
read carefully the following and take whatever
steps are necessary in your present business
practices:
1. Amusement games manufactured prior to
December 1982 are "Grandfathered" in
this rule.
2. The following warning label must appear on
the outside of the cabinet in plain sight and
must be permanently attached:
This equipment complies with the
requirements in Part 15 of FCC Rules for
a Class A computing device. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area may
cause unacceptable interference to radio
and TV reception requiring the operator
to take whatever steps are necessary to
correct the interference.
3. It is a violation for a manufacturer to sell a
conversion kit without the above label.
4. ALL conversion kits must be installed in
previously approved cabinets (containing
the warning label). Any kit put into a cabinet
which previously did not comply must now
comply with this regulation. (Note: equip-
ment may be seized if in non-compliance.)
5. Conversion kits must be installed properly
and according to the specific directions
contained in the installation manual. Any
kits improperly installed will be a violation
against the person responsible for instal-
lation.
6. Conversion kits should state the power
supply to be used. Making any modifications
in order to increase the power would be a
violation on the part of the operator.
7. All protective shields either on existing
games or those provided with conversion
kits must be properly installed and/or
replaced after repair service.
8. If you have any questions on compliance,
you can contact your district office of the
FCC or write to the AMOA AMOA will then
forward all questions to the Atlanta office
for a response. The title of the person to
contact at your district office is the Public
Services Director.
AMOA will continue to keep you advised on
developments as they occur in this area.
MURPHY'S • _AW
#606
In a hierarchical organization, the higher the level, the greater the confusion.