A couple M 80 questions

[Sonic Rat]

Got a Fostex model 80 recently..haven't found a manual yet......There is a small tab protruding from under the head cover that is attached to bar......what is this for?....and also a little pop up thingie.....just wondering.....

 

[A Reel Person]

Okay. Congrats.

The little tab by the headstack is the "cue" lever. F/I, when you're doing FF/RW, you may press this tab straight up, and it moves the lifter and contacts the tape to the head, thus allowing you to hear the program as it goes by. It's an easy way of cueing the tape to the beginning/end of a song or segment by ear, if that's what you need to do.

Then, there's the "pop-in thingy", which is the head's RFI shield. It should usually be out in record/play mode. I can't remember if it's round or flat ,(there are two types), but either way, I believe you may also load the tape ON TOP of this RFI shield, so that you may sometimes shuttle the tape between the reels without putting wear on the head. It retracts for easier tape loading.

Okay? Thanx!

 

[Sonic Rat]

Thanks

 

[the cool one]

Then, there's the "pop-in thingy", which is the head's RFI shield. It should usually be out in record/play mode. I can't remember if it's round or flat ,(there are two types), but either way, I believe you may also load the tape ON TOP of this RFI shield, so that you may sometimes shuttle the tape between the reels without putting wear on the head. It retracts for easier tape loading.

I have that. Weird...

 

[Rodrev]

I believe you may also load the tape ON TOP of this RFI shield, so that you may sometimes shuttle the tape between the reels without putting wear on the head. It retracts for easier tape loading.

Any ideas on how to include such a feature on a R8? I.e. which materials are "safe" for tape to travel over?

Just an idea

 

[A Reel Person]

No, not really.

If something like that's not included on the R8, I'd just assume it's not needed.

 

[Rodrev]

If something like that's not included on the R8, I'd just assume it's not needed.

Good point.
OR it could be Fostex planning to sell lots of new heads for them, or just guessed that everyone who bought an R8 would go digital before the heads wore out due to tape winding in play mode