[GreenKeys] The Thing On eBay

[wa2hwj at att.net]

Further info...

The base is actually a standard Model 28 keyboard. The strip printer mechanism sits on a casting that adapts it to the keyboard base. I saw these units used in Ma Bell's Central Offices in the 43A carrier bay (TTY FDMA system) to monitor circuits. They were mounted on a cart that could be rolled around the bays. 
The one on Ebay has a brass plate on the front that has the 5 level code on it. 
The same plate used to be on Model 14's used for the same purpose (but without the gearshift...obviously). These 14's had an external "crank" that could move the range finder around.

Jack WA2HWJ


-------------- Original message from "George B. Hutchison" : -------------- 

> GreenKeyers - - - 
> 
> The current item of discourse on ebay appears to be a Model 28 Strip 
> Printer. The clue to this is that the upper knob to the left of the keyboard 
> is a speed selector. It allows the operator to run the machine at 60, 75, or 
> 100 WPM. 
> 
> The unit uses 3/8" wide paper tape, and the principal application was in 
> teletype test boards in telephone exchanges. 
> 
> A 28 reperf can be installed in place of the strip printer with little 
> modification. 
> 
> Unlike a perf or reperf on the keyboard of an ASR, there is no mechanical 
> connection between the keyboard codebars and the punch mechanism. The 
> keyboard in the unit has a standard 28 distributor cam arrangement, and the 
> printer/punch/reperf is operated by a selector. Therefore, you must have 
> some source of loop current in order for the machine to work. 
> 
> 3/8" Tape is hard to find. 
> 
> The gearbox in the machine is the rugged one with the casting and the heavy 
> nylon gears as opposed to the steel gearshift found in many machines. 
> 
> The keyboard base is very similar to the standard 28 base. The printer/punch 
> mounts on a special casting which uses the same mounting/tie-down screws as 
> a 28 typing unit. The casting has a mainshaft which is geared to the 
> printer/punch unit through a bevel-gear arrangement. Classic Teletype in 
> design. 
> 
> Considering the fact that this has the heavy gearbox, 49 bucks is not too 
> bad a price. 
> 
> Hope this helps those drooling over this little gem. 
> 
> 73, 
> 
> George, W7TTY 
> 
> 
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