Atari 800XL cassette interface - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

McMurdo · 8th Oct 2009, 9:02 pm

Hello, does anyone have any info on how to connect a regular cassette recorder to an Atari 800XL? I have the old data cassette and lead, but it's beyond repair and I'd like to load some programs.

All my googling has only produced ways to play Atari games on a PC which isn't really the point!

dominicbeesley · 11th Oct 2009, 12:25 am

A quick google turned up this:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit...ection-21.html

Doesn't sound too promising but if you're willing to risk it I'd try feeding audio (from a heaphones / line out jack) via a highish value cap into pin 11 of the SIO connector - see here:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit...ection-17.html

Dom

McMurdo · 15th Oct 2009, 8:52 pm

Dont think that would work, the audio input on the SIO was for playing audio while the data loaded on suitably prepared tapes.

The problem I have is that the Atari tape machine had the FSK decoder circuitry on the cassette main pcb and already gave out digital serial data; I have a feeling something on veroboard will be needed!!

8th Oct 2009, 9:02 pm	#1
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,273	Atari 800XL cassette interface Hello, does anyone have any info on how to connect a regular cassette recorder to an Atari 800XL? I have the old data cassette and lead, but it's beyond repair and I'd like to load some programs. All my googling has only produced ways to play Atari games on a PC which isn't really the point! __________________ Kevin

11th Oct 2009, 12:25 am	#2
dominicbeesley Octode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Re: Atari 800XL cassette interface A quick google turned up this: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit...ection-21.html Doesn't sound too promising but if you're willing to risk it I'd try feeding audio (from a heaphones / line out jack) via a highish value cap into pin 11 of the SIO connector - see here: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit...ection-17.html Dom

15th Oct 2009, 8:52 pm	#3
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,273	Re: Atari 800XL cassette interface Dont think that would work, the audio input on the SIO was for playing audio while the data loaded on suitably prepared tapes. The problem I have is that the Atari tape machine had the FSK decoder circuitry on the cassette main pcb and already gave out digital serial data; I have a feeling something on veroboard will be needed!! __________________ Kevin