[GreenKeys] Back to Teletypes after many Years!

[Don Robert House]

Private line 28 ASRs were very plentiful in my days.  A master station  
would poll all the machines in the network.
A punched tape would be put in the reader (TD) to be sent when the  
station was polled.
When the tape was put in the reader a "Bid lamp" would light.
The relays in the base controlled the transmitter under command from  
the stunt box (on the rear of the typing unit) with the appropriate  
codes.
The Bell System had several of these types of networks.  81D1 82B1,  
etc., etc.
The biggest problem was these machines usually ran 24/7/363.  If the  
function clutch was not lubricated it would wear...
eventually the stop would fall in where the clutch adjustment was now  
too far open. Then the good strong motor and intermediate
gear assembly would provide the needed torque to snap off most of the  
tines on the code bars in the stunt box.
This kind of repair would usually take from 3 to 6 hours if not  
bothered by AT&T calling to check on progress.
Much longer if some idiot forgot to put the stunt box chart back into  
the base of the machine.
I do not even like to remember some of those nights... and the  
following days...

Don
K9TTY


On 1 Dec 2009, at 9:12 PM, Roy Morgan wrote:


On Dec 1, 2009, at 1:52 PM, Bill Horne wrote:

> [snip]
>> Recently, I was offered a 28ASR to add to a TTY display. ...
>> This printer has some sort of device in the base...
>
> That device is called a "Stunt Box", and it's a selective-calling
> mechanism that allows for control of individual machines on a "party
> line" circuit.

I *think* we need more information.  The stunt box is not in the base
of the ASR, is it?  I don't know diddle (pun intended) about model
28's (yet), but I think the stunt box is at the rear of the typing unit.

I have a Model 28 KSR with extra "stuff" in the base, behind the
sloping panel that's in front of the operators knees.  I think it's
Tempest equipment, but have  not investigated yet.  Is that where some
sort of electronic selective calling system would be put?

Roy


Roy Morgan
k1lky at earthlink.net
529 Cobb St.
Groton NY, 13073
Home: 607-898-3607
Cell: 301-928-7794



______________________________________________________________
GreenKeys mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/greenkeys
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:GreenKeys at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html