[GreenKeys] Paper tape storage

[Roy Morgan]

On Feb 3, 2009, at 1:15 PM, amourdutigre wrote:

> .... I was wondering how to best store punched paper tapes. ...

Joe,

Some time ago I got some 150 graphics tapes at an estate sale (Walter  
J. Stewart  W4UBE).  The fellow had been a long time RTTY-er and  
apparently loved to collect and presumably re-transmit graphics  
tapes.  He had most of them simply rolled up and put into plastic  
sandwich size baggies.  Some had elastic bands around the tape to  
contain them but not all.  In the front of the baggie was a 3x5 card  
or slip of paper with the title, time, and original source (the fellow  
who'd created the tape in the first place.)

This system has these advantages:

- The "container" for each tape costs very little above zero
- The 3x5 card or paper slip labeling system is easy, cheap, and  
effective (permanent marker on the top l lip of the baggie would be  
useful, too.)
- The container and label add almost zero bulk to the tape
- The baggies with tapes stack very nicely in rows in copy paper boxes  
- I think two layers to a box, and two side by side rows the length of  
the box.  Other types of storage such as large index card boxes or  
drawers can be used if you have them.
- There is nearly zero added weight
- Oiled tapes don't make a mess, other than inside their own baggies.
- One baggie will hold a tape up to perhaps 20 minutes in length (Some  
of the tapes I got last over 40 minutes- in two or three parts).
- Any tape that's more than two or three turns long will occupy a  
baggie nicely
- A tape loop (continuous - start fastened to finish) can be stored  
easily

I hope this fellow's experience and method help.

Roy

PS: I have a list of these graphics tapes and can send it to anyone  
interested.

Roy Morgan
k1lky at earthlink.net
529 Cobb St.
Groton NY, 13073