THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES WERE STOLEN (BORROWED) FROM THE AWAUG BBS, 24 HRS. 202-56l-2475 WITH ITS FINE SYSOP, JEFF JODOIN &/OR THE AWAUG NEWSLETTER UNDER THE VERY CAPABLE EDITORSHIP OF JACK MACKENN. 
 
Most are authored by Nat Eisenman, a very knowledgible Adamite and were left on the AWAUG BBS for the newsletter.  But feeling these were important and have some vague general type permission to do so, I grabbed them immediately. 
 
CREDIT AND APPRECIATION TO: JEFF JODOIN, JACK MACKENN, and NAT EISENMAN. 
 
The pi symbols are from the xmodem download and represent carriage returns in the CPM to EOS translation.  Maybe Nate will write an article on that one time.

         MODIFYING AND RELOADING ADAM RIBBON CARTRIDGES
                           Nat Eiseman

    In the course of my work as a freelance writer (science, 
technology and medicine if anyone out there uses freelancers, 
unpd. ad.) I have found that print quality on the Adam printer 
using Coleco ribbons left something to be desired and like 
everyone else I had trouble finding them.  A slight modification 
of a new cartridge will provide darker and more even intensity 
output and once the cartridge has been opened the ribbon can be 
replaced and the cartridge reused, much more cheaply than a new 
one!

    To modify the cartridge, first remove the O-ring from the 
spools on the left side and save it.  Then use a small thin- 
bladed knife to pry the top off.  Don't worry about breaking a 
few of the pins.  There are six of them and any two that survive 
the process will suffice.  Then lift out the supply reel on the 
right hand side and remove the tension spring from the underside 
and discard it.  This spring maintains ribbon tension 
(unnecessary) but causes drag and uneven print darkness.

    Looking at the left side, the ribbon is threaded through the 
drive sprockets.  One of these often pops out when the cartridge 
is opened so be careful not to lose it.  I reccommend threading 
the ribbon to the left, bypassing the sprockets.  This allows the 
ribbon to run faster and further improves print quality.  Then 
reassemble the cartridge and go for it.  This does use up the 
ribbon somewhat faster, but.....

    You now know how to reload the cartridge with fresh ribbon!  
Lift out the old ribbon and discard it but save the takeup spool 
on the left side.  Discard the supply spool.  Just drop a new 
reel of ribbon on the right side and thread as above, using tape 
to attach the free end to the uptake spool.  The supply reel just 
sits in the cartridge.  It will rattle around as you handle it 
and may seem to jam up but once it is in the machine it will work 
fine.  I have printed about 3000 pages of text over two years 
this way without a single problem.

    To reload the cartridges I reccommend Ricoh pancake ribbon.  
This brand is slightly too large for the cartridge and I have to 
unwind a few feet of it to get it in.  NEC pancake will work, but 
the ribbon is a little wider and tends to jam about half way 
through a reel.  If this happens just cut it, discard the used 
portion and rethread.  There may be other brands of the right 
size but these two are readily available for $1.50, perhaps less 
if you can find them at a discount office supply (I haven't).  
Should the O-ring get streched, broken or lost you can get 
another at most hardware stores.  Several sizes will work.  I use 
R-65.  I have not tried this with non-Coleco cartridges.

    Happy printing!!!  
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