[GreenKeys] Stock ticker...

[EUGENE HERTZ]

All,

super thanks for some really excellent and easily understood explanations
and great methods (.  Special thanks to jhaynes who gave some really great
insight into how these things really work. I was fascinated with the the way
to both advance the paper and resynchronize the ticker by using a 20Hz rate!
Quite interesting..I was very surprised to learn that these tickers were run
in series. I would imagine that if one ticker goes out, there would be lots
of unhappy brokers.

What I've been able to figure out is this (by the way, my new york quotation
ticker may be different than the standard "Self-winding" or universals in
some way, but I dont know).  There are basically four wires to control it.
one pair controls the type wheel like a clock movement (my ticker has some
problems here--anyone know someone who can work on tickers?) the other pair
controls two things, one is imprinting the letter on the paper, this works
any time a pulse comes through, and by changing the polarity we can also
change LTRS or FIGS (essentially!). And thats basically it.  Add to it
jhaynes' explanation of how to synchronize and advance paper without
printing and voila!

I am investigating getting a dome made (mine has no dome but should) of
course, my luck is that the size of the dome is not standar (8 7/8" o.d.)
and 9.5" (or so) in height, of course height has more flexibility than
diameter.  Also, there are a few little mechanical problems with mine. For
one the paper tape wheel that hold the unprinted paper is missing 2 parts,
second I have the wrong screw somewhere and lastly the type wheel mechanism
needs work.  If ANYONE knows someone with some experience repairing/working
on these I would be forever indebted to you!

If anyone is interested, I have some pix posted at http://24.45.72.96:801
(John poulton--thanks for asking) This site will be slow and may not even be
at times. It runs on my laptop which is connected to my isp through a
wireless setup (so the whole thing is precarious)

In any case, the one thing I don't entirely understand is why use high
voltage with high resistance vs low voltage and low resistance.  It was
mentioned about the speed with which the pulse can achieve its desired
value.  If I have 100V with 1000 Ohms vs 10V with 100 ohms, I would figure
that the solenoid would behave identically, no? For example, Roy Morgan
explained that the tty loop starts with 150V and then the current is brought
down to 20-50ma by using a resistor ( assume about 3k ohms or so?) why do it
this way? why not use a 12V supply (with plenty of juice to keep the voltage
constant when that initial inrush occurs) and a 240 ohm (or so) resistor? Is
there something about a higher voltage that makes the rise time and fall
time of the signal shorter?

I do plan to build a circuit to interface with my computer to print modern
stock quotes. That's my ultimate goal.  As you may know, there is a company
(www.stocktickercompany.com) that has reproduced the old universal ticker
with a computer interface. But the people there are very tight-lipped and
not willing to help a fellow enthusiast gather information.

Again, thanks.
Eugene
P.S. I am trying to gather names/emails of fellow ticker enthusiasts to make
a reflector for those who want to share information..if you know of anyone
who ownes one, please send them my email address!