[GreenKeys] HELP! With UGC-74A(V)

Sun, 3 Feb 2002 16:12:26 -0500

Eugene,

That sticky goo is from the platen rollers (or, actually, it's
what's left of them). My first UGC74 came with that same
"feature". Took a week to clean it out. I did some investigating
and found that what you have discovered was a common problem
with that machine. Once I cleaned it out, I was able to get the
thing running fine. I had to wrap some black masking tape around
the platen to give the paper something to grab and that worked OK.
Getting the connectors and cables was the next problem. I finally
found them and wired them up without any schematics...traced
out all of the connections.
There is a website link for UGC-74's that describes how to wire
them up. There is also another "gotcha" with them. The electrolytic
caps on the power supply board fail and they take out the board.
My guess is that these machines were subjected to some long-
term heat (Desert Storm?) and that's what lead to their demise.
One of my three UGC-74's died because of the power supply
problem. Finally, the "B" and "C" versions use a ribbon cartridge
which no one has been able to find.
If you want a neat little machine, get one of the UGC129's that
are on Ebay occasionally (or at Fair Radio). They handle
ASCII and Baudot and use regular paper and ribbons (the "Underwood"
tyopewriter ribbon that you can get at any office supply
store). These machine are easy to hook up and seem to run fine.
I have both models...there is one with a flourescent display and one
without. The display is a one-line readout of what is being typed.
My machine with that feature works except for the display! And,
the UGC129 doesn't weigh a ton!

Jack WA2HWJ

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Eugene Hertz
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2002 1:08 PM
To: '[email protected]'
Subject: [GreenKeys] HELP! With UGC-74A(V)

Dear greenkeyers...

I have been on this mailing list for probably over a year without owning
any equipment..About six months ago, I decided to finally take the plunge
and bought a TT-745/UGC-74A(v) from ebay.  In that time I've owned it, it
always looked in good condition, but I could never find the time to delve
into it.  Last night I finally set up a space in my basement and began to
open it up...

Although the unit internally looks to be in great condition (was last
serviced at the tobyhana base in 1982), I was presented with a problem so
bad, I', thinking of throwing the darn thing in the trash!

Throughout the entire guts of this unit, is the strangest, STICKIEST gray
material I have ever seen in my life.  In some areas it has the consistency
of 6 month old bubble gum, and in other areas it is as thin as maple syrup.
 It is nearly everywhere. I figured it wouldnt be so bad to clean up as I
expected to dismantle the unit and clean each part. However, this sticky
stuff is like nothing you can imagine. I litterally spent two hours last
night just trying to get it off the bottom plastic circuit board protector.

At this rate, I would have the unit finished in time for my funeral.  Any
one have any advice?  I spent $45 for the item and another $55 for
shipping.  Should I get rid of it, get another unit and chalk it off to
experience?

Is there anyone in NYC area that might have one for sale? (preferably one
with power and data cables!)
Or ...hmmm..anyone interested in a very sticky unit?

Some of the reasons I chose the 74A over everything I had seen in the past
were:
1. really cool military looking equipment
2. nice keyboard
3. takes baudot and ascii
4. takes rs232 and current loop
5. relatively compact (although incredibly heavy at 100lbs)
5. Used real characters not dot matrix...

I am not THAT familiar with all the possible teleprinters out there (I'm
not a ham, just want to receive) But this one seem to fit the bill.

Your advice is GREATLY appreciated!
Very sticky and frustrated,

Eugene Hertz
(no call)
_______________________________________________
GreenKeys mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/greenkeys