Category: General Topics

Well, after reconstructing the broken Fairchild Channel F controller (1) using the ‘plunger’ from a donor Video Command controller, I hit another snag.  Three of the centering spring tabs on the other controller (2) are broken off.  This causes random control input as the plunger can move freely from side to side if you let go of the stick.  Since I replace the internals on controller 1 with parts from the Video Command controller, I salvaged some of needed centering springs from the original internal of controller 1.  I’ve noticed that the centering springs in the Video Command controller are of a much better design.  The system is now 100% other than some cosmetic flaws, and now has a place in the game room.

If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you know that I am currently restoring a Fairchild Video Entertainment System (VES)/Channel F.  One of the problems the system has is a broken controller stem, which is snapped in half.

As it turns out, I found spare parts for the controller.  In the early eighties, Zircon made a very similar controller for the Atari 2600, the Video Command.  In hopes that I could use one of these Zircon controllers for spare parts, I found and ordered one on Ebay.  Once the controller arrived, it was immediately evident that the Zircon controller was very similar to the Fairchild controller, but not identical.  The original Fairchild Controller had the typical X-Y axis, but you could also twist the controller handle clockwise/counter clockwise, as well as pull it up and push it down.  The Zircon controller has most of these motions, except the up and down motion of the controller handle.  The Zircon has a fire button on the front that replaces the push function of the Fairchild controller, but there is no equivalent of the ‘pull up’ motion.  I thought about wiring up the Zircon as is, but I remembered that games like the built in version of Hockey (still the best Pong variant that I’ve played) requires the pull and push motions to control the goalie.

I decided to take both controllers apart to see if the stem and controller handle are interchangeable between the two.  As it turns out, they are almost identical, including all of the mounting, spring, and pin holes of the original, even though they aren’t used in the Zircon.  So, if you need to repair a Fairchild VES/Channel F controller, you can use a Zircon Video Command Controller for parts.

Even though the stems look like they are different sizes in the photo, they are the same diameter and length.  After installing the Zircon stem into the broken controller, it worked as good as new.  My only regret is sacrificing the Zircon controller which is a rare item all by itself.  The Zircon Video Command for the Atari 2600 is know to be a very comfortable joystick compared to the original 2600 joystick.

In my next post, I’ll cover the rest of the cleanup and restoration of the Fairchild.

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