STAR*TECH Journal
.
986 AMOA Expo
Some facts, figures and backround notes on
the "Grandaddy" of the Trade Sh<~lS.
l1:>re than 7,000 owners, distributors and
manufacturers of ooin-operated games,
music & vending equipnent were expected to
attend the Expo '86 held at Chicago's
Hyatt Regency during November 6-8.
over 166 exhibiting companies purchased
more than 438 booths to display their
wares covering 59,225 square feet on two
levels. 'Ihe products on display included:
Pinball games, jukeooxes, video jukeooxes,
video games, p:)01 tables, electronic
darts, pay telephones, cigarette vending
and other ooin-operated equipnent.
'Ihe 1987 Af.OA Expo will again be held at
the Hyatt Regency in 01.icago during
November 5-7.
'Ihe Amusement
&
Music Operators
tassociation was founded in 1948 as the
'W.usic Operators Association. In 1976, its
name was changed to better reflect the
activities of its members.
Af.OA' s largest Expo was held in 1982, at
the height of the videogame craze. 'Ihat
exhibition attracted over 13,000 industry
professionals.
'Ihere were an estimated 6,000 coin-op
owners in the USA in 1985 -down frcm an
estimated 9,000 in 1984.
In 1985, there were an estinated 1.5
million ooin-op games on location.
Total gross revenues frcm amuserrent
machines in 1985 were estimated at $4.5
billion.
1985, the average ooin-op owner
serviced 48 locations -up from 42 in 1984.
Also in 1985, the average ooin-op owner
serviced 250 units -up from 184 in 1984.
In
urphy's Law #810
IULE FOR PRECISION:
Measure with a micrcmeter.
Mark with chalk.
Cut with an axe.
December 1986
[5)
CRANES: BIG CHOICE California
Version Mod
By Frank "The Crank" Seninsky
Alpha-Qrega Amuserrents & Sales
Edison, New Jersey
'Ihere are several areas in the US where a
certain type of crane, commonly called the
"California Crane", has been approved by
licensing authorities as a "skill
machine". In rey opinion, it technically
doesn't matter if a joystick or buttons
are used, as long as the player can make
the claw rove in either the forward and/or
across directions several tines (stopping
and starting repeatedly), before opting to
press the claw drop button. Note that sorre
authorities "perceive" a joystick to be
rore skillful than buttons, which perform
the exact same functions. It may not pay
to "press" this issue in sorre cases.
Some locals also require the 100% of the
prize display area be accessible by the
claw. To comply, add plexiglass dividers
to separate off the inch or two of width
areas that the claw doesn't reach
properly. This is a lot cheaper than
extending the claw carriage rods or
purchasing a new crane.
For those operators who purchased two
button BIG OIOICE cranes, there is a very
simple :rrodification that you can do
yourself, to change your crane technically
into a "california version". The only
components you need are a button switch
and sorre wire. When completed, the player
will have unlimited forward and then
across chances before hitting the newly
installed claw drop button.
The existing control panel isn't wide
enough to install regular joysticks. You
can, however, order a wider panel and a
whole new microprocessor board which turns
your BIG CHOICE into the latest
"California version". My way is much
cheaper!
The figure shows a BIG CHOICE circuit
board diagram. Locate the 1N4007 diode
between the center relay and price switch
and jumper it out. This can be done by
soldering a small wire to the ends of the
diode. Next, cut and lift up the "anode"