Radio Shack TRS-80 User manual

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COMPUTER
Catalog Number 26-1166
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Congratulations for selecting this
Radio Shack Computer Product!
The Line Printer VI is ahigh-speed, dot-matrix impact printer. The Printer includes aparallel
interface for connection to the TRS-80 Expansion Interface, TRS-80 Model II or Model III.
Abuilt-in microprocessor controls the Printer and the communication with TRS-80. Basic
operating instructions, self-test routines, and character patterns are resident in read-only mem-
ory (ROM).
Other exceptional features include:
•Bidirectional, minimum-distance access carriage action, for very efficient line-output.
•Upper and lower case English letters, English symbols, European symbols, and graphic part-
terns.
•Software-selectable print densities (5, 7.5, 10, or 15 characters per inch).
•Up to 132 characters per line.
•Software-selectable line densities (6, 8, or 12 lines per inch).
•Selectable friction feed or tractor feed for advancing printer paper.
•Accepts paper width up to 15 inches.
•Handless single or multi-part forms (Original +up to 2copies).
•Paper Out sensor automatically stops Printer if paper runs out.
•ON-LINE/OFF-LINE Modes.
•Manual controls for LINE-FEED, A1/.1.2 LINE, and RESET.
•Basic functional checks with SELF-TEST printing.
CONTENTS
Setting Up •
Ribbon Replacement ;-. :
Tractor Installation and Removal .*
Paper Loading and Penetration Adjustment *
o
Connection to Computer and Self-Test
Operation •
Power ON/OFF *•
Controls and Indicators
Control Codes -
9
9
9
10
Printable Characters, Symbols, and Graphics -12
Details of Printer Operations
14
Programming Examples
14
Hints and Tips *
15
Care and Maintenance
If You Have Problems -'$ 16
^^17
Specifications -*' " "
'
18
Schematic Diagrams -

SETTING UP
Carefully unpack the Printer. Be sure to locate the ribbon, the fuse, and the paper tray. Keep the empty
box and insulation material in case you ever need to transport the printer. Then remove two ties holding
the paper bail to platen
turning on the povvef could damage the printer.
Ribbon Replacement (Refer to Fig. 1and Fig. 2)
If the ribbon is already installed, simply check to see that it is threaded properly. Compare with Fig. 10
If the ribbon cassette is not installed, or if it is necessary to replace the ribbon (fraying or faint printing
at proper penetration setting), follow the instructions below.
1. Set Power switch to OFF position. (Note that when you turn power off, any information stored in
the printer's buffer will automatically be lost. So avoid this situation during program printing.)
2. Open printer plastic cover and move Penetration Control lever fully backward (away from platen).
3. Ribbon is in cassette which is held down at lower left and right sides to the cassette holder by stop-
per claws. Lift up the platen end slightly and remove by lifting up the entire cassette horizontally.
4. Tension the ribbon in new cassette by turning its knob in arrow direction.
5. Press down cassette until firmly secured by stopper claws.
Caution: If claws fail to hook on properly when cassette is pressed down, the cassette knob will'
not fit properly into shaft from the carriage. Do not force cassette down, but fit it in
gradually while turning cassette knob in arrow direction.
Insert portion of ribbon extending out from cassette into print head ribbon guide.
Manually move carriage to left and right to check that ribbon feeds out properly.
Note: Unless ribbon has been fitted properly into print head ribbon guide, printing and ribbon feed
will not operate smoothly.
Adjust Penetration Control Lever in accordance with instructions in section of "Paper Loading and
Penetration Adjustment".
6.
7.
8.
Ribbon
Cassette
Print Head \
Ribbon Cassette
Cassette Knob
Stopper Claw
Ribbon Guide
Shaft Groove
Penetration
Control Lever
Paper Empty
Switch Arm
Front Carriage Guide
Rear Carriage Guide
Figure 1Figure 2

Tractor Installation and Removal
With this printer, you can use either the tractor feed system or friction feed system. For tractor feed, use
the sprocket hole paper with the tractor already installed. When you want to use friction feed, you can
leave the tractor installed (but you'll find operation easier if you remove it). For friction feed, no need
for paper with holes.
Refer to Fig. 3.
To Remove Tractor
The printer comes supplied with the tractor already installed. When you want to use the printer with
friction feed, remove the tractor as outlined below.
1
.
Set Power switch to OFF position and remove upper plastic cover.
2. Hold the tractor cover at left and right sides with both hands, unlock by pulling up the rear part,
and pull upward.
3. Install upper plastic cover.
4. Set Power switch to ON position (set to operating condition).
To Install Tractor
To use the printer with the tractor feed system, install the tractor as outlined below.
1
.
Set Power switch to OFF position and remove upper plastic cover.
2. Hold the tractor cover at the left and right sides with both hands, and insert claw slots on lower
front sides of the tractor into printer studs.
3. Press the tractor cover back part until snaps into place.
4. Turn paper feed knob and check sprocket feed unit rotates.
5. Install upper plastic cover.
6. Set Power switch to ON position. (Printer now ready for operation.)
Tractor Cover Sprocket Unit Set Screw
Sprocket Feed Unit
Tractor Unit
Paper Feed Knob
Figure 3

Paper Loading and Penetration Adjustment
When Operating With Friction Feed System
You do not have to use paper with holes, but you should not use continuous-form paper.
Refer to Figures 4, 5, and 6as you go through followings.
1. Remove plastic cover.
2. Move penetration control lever fully backward (away from platen).
3. Pull release lever toward the front.
4. Release paper bail from platen by tilting backward.
5Insert paper through paper insertion opening at upper center of the printer and return release lever.
Turn paper feed knob until paper appears between the platen and paper scale.
7. Pull
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e
t
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a
e
bout
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i'-1/2" (3 or 4cm) of the paper and align the paper top. Return the release lever to
normal position.
8. Return paper bail to its position against paper and platen.
9. Adjust Penetration Control for optimum print quality as follows:
Mo^ Control Lever completely toward the platen. This provides maximum print head
penetration. For single-part forms, use this setting.
Mo!^ Control Lever toward platen until smudging appears on paper when carriage is
manually moved back and forth. Then back off the lever setting slightly till there is no.smudging
when the carriage or paper is moved. Leave lever setting at the closest catch-po.nt to this setting.
Note: If you use carbon-paper (or other duplicate form paper) with the friction feed system take
extreme care when setting up and using paper. There may be slight shifting of paper between
original and copy, resulting in poor printing or improper registration.
10. Replace plastic cover.
Penetration
Control Lever
Release Lever
Paper Feed Knob Paper Scale
Paper Feed
Knob
Figure 4Figure 5

Sprocket Unit
Tractor Unit
Figure 6
Release Lever-
Paper Feed Knob
Tractor Unit
Paper Tray
Forms
Figure 7
Paper Tray
Figure 8

Operating with Tractor Feed System
The printer will accept any standard tractor-feed paper from mailing label strips up to 15" (standard 132-
character paper). Paper can be single or multi-part, up to 3parts total.
Refer to Fig. 4, 6, and 7as you follow these instructions
1
.
Remove plastic cover.
2. Move penetration control lever fully backward (away from platen).
3. Pull release lever toward the front.
4. Be sure to install paper tray if not already in place. Refer to Fig. 8for installation method.
5Release paper bail from platen by tilting it backward.
6* Pass the paper through center part of paper tray and then through paper insertion opening at upper
center of printer. Return release lever. Turn paper feed knob until paper forward end appears be-
tween platen and paper scale.
7. Pull release lever toward the front.
Note: There is another paper-entry slot in the center bottom of the printer. Use this slot if your
Printer stand allows paper to enter directly into the bottom of the Printer. Th.s is convenient
for loading paper directly out of the paper box.
*Release the paper bail from platen. Insert paper through bottom paper insertion opening
and push the paper up until it appears between the platen and paper scale.
8. Pull paper out about 6" (15 cm).
9. Raise tractor paper holders and lay the paper over feed sprockets. Align paper holes with sprockets
and snap paper holders back on to the sprockets.
Note- 1If paper sprocket holes do not fit properly over the sprockets, loosen the screws on
sprocket unit and shift the unit for proper position and retighten set screws. If paper
is stretched too tightly or is loose and wrinkled, paper may not be fed properly.
2. When tractor feed is used, always have release lever pulled back.
10. Adjust Penetration Control for optimum print quality as follows:
Single-Part Forms .
Move Penetration Control completely to the platen for maximum print head penetrat.on. Use this
setting for all single-part forms.
Multi-Part Forms ,
Move Penetration Control lever toward the platen until paper smudges when carriage is shitted
manually back and forth across the paper. Then return the lever slightly backward until the paper
does not smudge when carriage is shifted; leave lever at the closest locking setting.
Note- Do not to allow the printed paper to pile on top of the unprinted paper stock, and take
care about the paper not to be led on the bent route (it could cause improper paper feed).

Connection to Computer and Self-Test
Before plugging the power cord into an AC power outlet, (120V AC for USA/Canada, 220/240V AC
for Europe/Australia) check the following:
(1
)
Is AC power line voltage full nominal value?
(2) Is printer Power switch in OFF position?
(3) Have you removed the black plastic protective tube from the carriage guide?
(4) Has ribbon cassette been set?
(5) Has 15" size print paper been set? If loaded with paper narrower than 15". be sure you don't
print wider than paper. Printing on the platen will shorten print head life (note that the self-test
uses the full width of 15" for printing).
If above is all OK, make aprint check before connecting the printer to the computer.
1
.
Plug Printer into AC power (rated voltage) outlet.
2. Set power switch to ON.
3. Set control switch to OFF-LINE.
4. Set the Self-Test switch on the rear to ON. Printer should print all characters in acontinuous se-
quence. Printing will continue until Self-Test switch is set to OFF or when control switch is set to
On-Line.
5. If test characters are printed too close to left margin (or extending out from left or right margin),
adjust paper to correct position by loosening screws on both sprocket units.
6. If printing is too light, move Penetration Control lever toward the platen. If printing is too dark or
is smudged, move Penetration Control lever backward (away from platen).
7. Set Self-Test switch to OFF and Power switch to OFF.
8. Install the cable for connection to Computer. Make sure that one end is provided with molded male
plug. Insert this plug into connector in the rear of the Printer. Do not force the plug. If it won't go
on one way, turn it over and try again. (See Fig. 9)
Note: ff the computer on hand is aTRS-80 Model I, use Catalog number 26-1401 interface cable.
If it is aTRS-80 Model II, use Catalog number 26-4401 interface cable.
9. Connect the other end of the cable to the Computer. If the Computer is aTRS-80 Model I, make
the connction to Line Printer Card Edge Connector of Expansion Interface. For aModel III connect
to the Line Printer connecten on the bottom. If it is aModel II, use the connector on the lower back
of the computer. Again if won't go in one way reverse the plug and try again.,
You may also use the "active" interface cable, 26-141 1, connected directly to the 40 pin bus of the model
Ieliminating the need for the expansion interface.
Figure 9TRS-80 Line Printer Connection to TRS-80
Connector (Female)
goes to TRS-80
Parallel
Printer-interface jack

OPERATION
Power ON/OFF
The power-up sequence varies slightly depending upon the computer system used With Mode. Iand Model
... sstems, ai. peripherals (printers included) shou.d be turnedIon before-PP^ ^^h
^
Following the recommended procedure for Model II systems, when the INSERT DISKETTE message
appears turn on the Printer and other peripherals -then insert system diskette.
Power lamp will remain .it while Printer is on. It is essential that the Printer remain on whil,,con ted
to the computer. An inactive printer can cause erratic operation of the system. Remember, also, that f
the power is removed or applied to the Printer while the CPU is running aprogram, voltage sp.kes could
cause program malfunction and/or loss of RAM memory.
Controls and Indicators
Tioto ON-LINE Printer will be in ON-LINE condition. When loaded with paper READY
lamp will come on, and the Printer will be ready to accept data from the
Computer.
Note: •When Printer has stopped due to Out-of-Paper condition, ALERT
lamp lights and automatically Printer goes OFF-LINE condition.
After inserting paper, press RESET switch once. Printer then re-
turns ON-LINE. Buffer data remains fully protected and printing
will proceed as normal. ~"~
Caution: Buffer data will be erased if RESET is pressed twice.
•If ERROR is detected due to carriage striking on left or right end,
clogged paper or other causes. Return Printer to initial state by
pressing RESET switch (you should realize that under this condi-
tion the buffer data will be erased).
Special Note for Model II computer: After encountering an alert condi-
tion error with aModel II system, you may have to type CONtinue,
and then the printer will continue printing from the stopped
head position. However, you should be aware that the entire
current line will be restarted from this location: therefore there
may be some printing duplication at this stopped line.
TiptoOFF-LINE ...Printer will be in OFF-LINE state. Information from computer will not be
received when at OFF-LINE condition, but following keys and switch
operations are possible.
LINE FEED key Press this key and Printer will advance paper one line. (If line feed pitch
has been changed by software control incremental advance will be per
pitch selection). Pressing key for several seconds will cause paper to feed
continuously. .
A1/12 LINE key Press to advance paper by 1/72 inch (1/12 line at 6characters/inch mode
SELF TEST swLh This switch is located on the rear of Printer. Set to ON and the Printer will
produce afull line of characters. This is useful for checking ribbon condi-
-tion and print quality. Do not use Self-Test switch unless the Printer is
loaded with 15" paper (or print head will strike the platen).

RESET key When Printer runs out of paper, inserting new paper and pressing this key
once will cause Printer to return to the state before Out-of-Paper. If pres-
sed during machine trouble or when pressed more than once after replac-
ing run-out the printer will return to the original on-line state (and data in
buffer will be lost).
Other Switches and Indicators
Switch/Indicator Location Function
POWER switch Right rear of Printer ON-OFF of Printer power
(Do not turn off Power switch when using
Computer)
Paper Empty switch Inside printer, near print
graduations 2
Notifies Printer control logic that paper
has run out. When actuated, ALERT lamp
lights and Printer goes OFF-LINE.
READY lamp On control panel Indicates Printer is ON-LINE.
ALERT lamp On control panel Indicates paper empty or carriage fault.
POWER lamp On control panel Indicates Printer is ON
Control Codes
According to American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), there are 34 control codes in
addition to the printable character codes. Control codes are sent as data which the receiving device in-
terprets as abbreviated instructions, communications-status messages, etc.
The Line Printer VI recognizes and executes 10 kinds of control codes and treats all other codes as spacing
acharacter.
Codes Function
Decimal Octal Hex Symbol
000 00 NUL These are ignored.
1001 01
10 or 138 012 0A LF Line Feed. When buffer information is
printed out, paper advances one line.
13or 141 015 0D CR Carriage return, All buffer information
printed out and next character printed from
start of next line. CR code following after
CR or LF is ignored.
27 •14 033- 016 1B •0E CON STR Sets to condensed-character mode. When this
two-code sequence is received, aCR is issued
and subsequent characters will be in 2/3 pitch
of previous characters pitch. Thus, if normal
(10 characters/inch) characters has been used,
15 character/inch pitch will be set. If elongated
characters (5 characters/inch) has been used,
7.5 character/inch pitch will be set. Next
character will be printed from start of new
line.