[GreenKeys] 'Old' portable Teletype...

[Duncan M. Brown]

Ken,

The Model 31 was produced from 1949-1959, only about 500 units were made. 
It was originally designed for the military as a light weight and compact
mobile terminal for RTTY.  The military version, TT-30/AGA-1, ran on 24VDC
and is the only known teletypewriter to use both a dynamotor and an tube! 
There is a 250VDC generator built into the 24VDC motor to provide loop
current and operate the RTTY converter.  They were apparently worried that
the motor governor would generate RFI, so there is a 25L6GT sticking out of
the top of the unit that does the motor governor switching.  There is an
extra contact on the keyboard transmitter designed to key the transmitter
when you start typing.

I have a feeling that as a military unit it was a flop (since they didn't
make many of them), though President Truman's plane had one installed. 
Since the military wasn't interested, Teletype Corp. apparently put in an
AC sync motor and a handle on the top and sold it as a "portable" to be
taken to sports events.

Don't know why they didn't use the M14, unless they were looking for
something a little newer and/or different shape factor.

The AWA Museum has a working TT-30/AGA-1.

73 & have fun,

Duncan Brown, K2OEQ
USASA  31J

Chief TTY operator & repairman
AWA Electronic Communication Museum
http://www.antiquewireless.org/


> [Original Message]
> From: Ken L. Gartland <trnsrme at glinx.com>
> To: <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: 09-Feb-10 09:39:01
> Subject: [GreenKeys] 'Old' portable Teletype...
>
> To all...
>
> A few weeks back, on our favourite (!) auction site, there was a small
portable Teletype machine listed, which was
> identified by Don, K9TTY as a Model 31...
>
> I remember seeing one of these machines way back in 1970
> in a broadcasting booth at our local sports stadium...
>
> At the time, I was covering a svc call on a M20RO with
> a 'Crusty old guy'  who was intent on teaching the 'New kid on the block'
the ropes!  While he was getting the cover off the M.20, I happened to spot
a 'Smallish' machine sitting
> off to the left in one of the broadcasting cubicles. It
> had a 'Teletype' logo plate on it, was all black, with a very
> small keyboard w/keys similar to the Model 28...
>
> My curiosity got the best of me, turned it on, and it ran
> 'Closed'...I managed to get off one line of  'Now is
> the time for all good men etc.'  before the old guy barked at me to pay
attention to what I was there for! I never saw one again. I do remember
seeing the type head swing back & forth somewhat like a pendulum, and the
peculiar sound the
> printing mechanism made...Unlike any other TTY I have ever seen/heard.
>
>
> The model shown on the auction site was green and was in some kind of
carrying case. The one I saw years ago seemed to be a table type model in
its' own cover...
>
> Does anyone out there know the approximate production
> numbers of this machine, how it came to be, what were they used for, and
who used them?
>
> Don, K9TTY had mentioned there were less
> than 7 units known of. I am also wondering, why Teletype
> Corp'n developed and mfd. this particular machine, when
> even back in the 1970's, we had many M14KSR strip
> (Tape) printers still in svc. especially in Brokerage houses.
>
> I am hoping some of you guys will be able to offer some insight into this
unusual machine...It certainly brought back
> memories of my early years in the trade...I gess after all, I do owe a
lot to that 'Crusty' old guy!!
>
> ' 73
>
> Ken VE3-HMQ
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