15/2/2015 - Sir, my second hand Philips GA 242 turntable does not have a anti-skate knob/switch. The problem I face is that the tonearm always returns/slides back to start/rest position when I start to play a record. So please help. It has a Technics P27 cartridge. Weight kept is 2gms. Increasing or decreasing the weight does not make any difference. (No matter what) The tonearm will always return to rest position as soon as playing of record is commenced. Awaiting kind revert please. Also I am unable to find service manual and users manual for it on the net. So please let me know if it is available with you. - Kedar
I don't know whether this is still relevant to you or not. This is happening due to non-adjustments of the anti-skate mechanism.
However I'm trying to give an insight as much as I know.
Firstly setting anti-skate in 242 is not going to happen in a conventional way. There is no anti-skate knob or something. But look at the arm carefully. The square weight (which is given in place of traditional counter weight) is actually your anti-skate mechanism. Now do the following procedures step by step..
1. Insert your cart and connect properly.
2. Place the anti-skate (square counter weight like structure) at the end of the arm. Don't tighten the screw attached in this step.
3. Place a blank vinyl (probably not available in India) or blank CD (easily available) on the platter and press the start button at 33.3 or 45 RPM. The platter will start rotating.
4. Gently place the arm on the CD using arm lifter.
5. In this position,your arm should be deflected towards periphery.
6. Stop the platter and carefully move the weight forward and start the platter again to see wheather the arm remains stationary. Repeat this step until the arm remains static at one point.
7. If you find the point where the arm remains stationary,tight the screw. And you have set your anti-skate correctly.
8. Now you will find a small weight situated on the arm. This is your counter-weight. Now balance the arm in traditional way by sliding it forward-backward as necessary.
9. The grooves on the arm represents 1gm. Set it according to your cart manufacturer. I set it to 2gm.
10. Verify your tracking force with the help of a small digital weighing scale.
11. You are ready to go with some pleasant music. Philips 242 is truly a good turntable only if aligned carefully.
Regards,
Dr. Partha