Atari Coin Connection

TECHNICAL TIPS
Troubleshooting Switch Common
Circuits
STEP 1: A) Disconnect P.O. Edge Con-
nector J-7 from the main
logic PCB.
B) Turn off all program swit-
ches at location F2 and F4
on main logic PCB.
C) Turn rotary switch for
score replay level to zero.
STEP 2: A) Check D9 Pin 8, switch
common, to insure that it is
a high logic level; also that
there are no pulses.
B) If there are pulses present,
check for a solder bridge on
switch common or a pro-
blem in the coin, start, slam
circuit, or a shorted option
switch on the main logic
PCB.
STEP 3: A) Check 09 Pin 13 to insure
that it is active when the
coin, start or slam switches
are pressed. It should be
high, pulsing low. 09 Pin
12 should be low, pulsing
high when any one of these
switches are closed.
WARNING: Most switch common pro-
blems are caused by careless main-
tenance on the playfield with the
POWER ON. If-40 volts DC is accidentally
applied to the switch common, it will
surely result in serious circuit damage
and down time.
AN ATARI PHOTO
CONTEST
The Coin Connection is sponsoring
an Atari photo contest. All photos
must include at least one Atari game in
the subject to qualify. They may be
either color or black and white prints,
3" x 4" or larger in size. You may
enter as many different photos as you
like. On the back of each photo
entered, print clearly your name, ad-
dress, telephone number, title or
description of photo subject and loca-
tion where taken.
The photos will be judged on
originality and interest of the subject,
clarity and artistic interpretation. The
top prize winners will be selected by a
professional photographer (not an
Atari employee).
First Prize: Atari Video Computer
System home game
Second Prize: Atari jacket and belt
buckle
Third Prize: Atari belt buckle
10 Runner,s-up receive a certificate
recognizing their photographic talent.
The contest will run and photos will
be accepted until July 6. Winners will
be notified by telephone and announc-
ed in the Coin Connection t·he following
month. (Atari employees are not eligi-
ble for this contest.)
Any photos received may be printed
Continued on Page 4
FOOTBALL STARS
PLAY GAMES
ON CREDIT
''Ten dollars in tokens, please,'' re-
quested the enthusiastic player, "and
put it on my Master Charge," he add-
ed. Yes, this is a common occurance at
Scores arcade in Dallas, Texas, where
Master Charge and VISA bank cards
are accepted for five dollars or more in
tokens. According to Fred Rosen,
President of the new game center, the
credit card use is beginning to catch on
at Scores. "I feel it will be a significc;1,nt
factor within a year to increase the
overall collections.'' He explained fur-
ther that since the use of credit cards
to play video and pinball games is new,
it will take time for people to take ad-
vantage of the convenience.
master c arge.
THE INTeRSANK CARD.
i.
A family will often charge $10 to $20
worth of tokens for an evening of play
according to Mr. Rosen. At this loca-
tion the average charge is ten dollars.
The credit service is advertised in some
radio spots and posted at the location.
It was noted that weekly credit sales of
tokens has increased regularly since
the service was first introduced.
When using credit card service, the
game center must pay a percentage of
these sales to the bank card organiza-
tion. Nevertheless, as at stores, cus-
tomers will most likely buy more
tokens and play more games when
they can use credit cards. Fred Rosen
reports that the use of credit cards is
working well at his arcade. It is cer-
tainly an innovative concept to con-
sider for game centers using tokens.
Superbowl Sunday, Baltimore,
Maryland saw two terrific football
games. In addition to watching the
battle on the field in Miami, Bob Boyd
and Johnny Unitas made their own
local challenge on ATARI FOOT-
BALL™. The two former Baltimore
Colts football greats staged a second
video Superbowl at their popular
bar/restaurant, Baby Doe Mining Co.
Television cameras were also in
Baltimore filming this ATARI FOOT-
BALL match. It was broadcast on the
local Evening Magazine program
(aired Feb. 15) and regular news pro-
gramming as well. After long com-
petitive and fun play, Bob Boyd was
declared the champion of this local
Super bowl.
Arrangements for the video football
match were made by the two former
football stars together with the game
operator at the location, Dave's
Amusement Vending, and the
distributor, Banner Specialty Co. of
Baltimore.
Bob Smith of Evening Magazine TV show referees
as Bob Boyd & Johnny Unitas play the Atari Foot-
ball Superbowl.
,
THE PINBALL GAME
IS COMING
"
SUPER
SOWL
..,C/11/1/'{_17.
.
'
•
.
Bob Boyd practices for the championship with
Don Ellyson, Local CBS affiliate Sportscaster.
ATARI TRIVIA ANSWERS
TM
See the next issue for more details on
the most sensational game in pinball
history.
TM "S" Insignia is the trademark of and © DC
Comics Inc 1979.
DEFINITION
A NEW LOCATION: Anyplace with an
unused electrical socket!
The following are the answers to the
Trivia Quiz in the January issue: (1.)
PURSUIT, ANTI AIRCRAFT, JET
FIGHTER, SKY RAIDER, SKY DIVER,
CANYON BOMBER. (2.) HIGHWAY,
SITDOWN NIGHT DRIVER, F-1,
FIRETRUCK.
(3.)
DOUBLE
BREAKOUT, CAVITY BREAKOUT,
PROGRESSIVE BREAKOUT. (4.) 12 (5.)
Joe's Saloon (6.) GRAN TRAK 10 (7.)
April, 1975 (8.) STEEPLECHASE (9.)
NIGHT DRIVER (10.) Sweep, Keeper,
Bomb, Down 8e Out*
c• All names of Atari games are trademarked.)