[GreenKeys] Kleinschmidt AN-98c/fg and TT LpR 59 project

[NNN7DXB at aol.com]

Hello Jonathan:

Welcome to the Greenkeys group, a teletype collectors and users group
on the Internet. Dave here from the CommCenter group -- and I think
you and I have talked before regarding Heavy Metal, etc.

Congrats on finding both the TT-98s and the TT-292 on Craigslist.
Both are real treasures and worth keeping, and yes, both are rapidly
becoming rarities these days. Just curious to know -- how much did
the TT-98 cost you? Usually, they range in price from $50 to about
$150, but on some of these auction lists, prices may be considerably
higher sometimes. Either way - you did good, and I would encourage 
you to learn all you can about the machines. 

OK, some info on the TTs that you have requested, and that no one
has answered yet. (Teletypes are abberviated "TTY", in case no one
passed this on to you).

The TT-98: a Kleinschmidt Master Piece of high tech from the 1950s....

The CORRECT nomenclature (name) for the printer is the TT-98,
unless the DATA Plate says otherwise. It is NOT an AN/98, AN/TT-98,
etc, as those are "system" names (AN/ = Army/Navy systems). Passing
this along, as it is always good to know what the correct nomenaclature
of the item is as you seek repair and assistance work for it from the 
other men in the group.

Similar looking machines are the TT-99, TT-100 and AN/FGC-20.
The TT-99 and TT-100 are essentially the SAME machine, with different
motors, and some minor changes to either wiring or internal power supply.
All work together. The AN/FGC-20 is the SAME TT-98 but comes with a
small table and a set of "running spares" (paper rolls, ribbons, spare 
light
bulb, manuals, etc, from the factory. The basic machine is still the 
TT-98).

The TT-98 and MOST Kleinschmidt Teletype gear is all formerly military-ONLY
equipment. Speficially, Army and Air Force. You can tell sometimes by the
data plate on the top or front of the machine. If it says US Army Signal
Corps, it may be an Army machine. If it just says "US" is may be an Air
Force machine. After 1968, most Kleinschmidt (KLI) machines were simply
listed as "US" on their data plates, since by 1968, Smith-Corona had
acquired Kleinschmidts' teletype division. During the Vietnam War, many,
many Kleinschmidt machines were manufactured under license by the
Borroughs Corp, Singer Sewing Machine Co, National Cash Register Co,
and a few others to meet the Armys' demand.

There were few commercial Kleinschmidt machines used outside of the
US and Allied militaries. The TT-98 was one of the, with a few being sold
as "Kleinschmidt Model 150" to some new organizations for a short time.

The TT-98s is part of a very large family of teletype machines made by
the folks at Kleinschmidt Labs. Kleinschmidt was the only large-scale
US producer of teletype gear which would or agreed produce for the
military teletype equipment in large quantities, and which was lightweight,
portable, and which could be taken to the field by the services. As such,
the military (Army and Air Force primarily) became Kleinschmidt primary
teletype customer. Kleinschmidt Laboratories (also) produced other items,
such a radio telecopes, telegraph equipment and equipment relating
to the communications industry. They are still in business today doing
software and network systems architectures, but long out of the old
electromechanical teletype business.

There are several men on the Greenkeys (GK) list who can help you with
the TT-98. Ask around; several people own the same machine, so help
should be there for you as you try and learn. 

Typically, the TT-98 ran at 60, 66 and 100 wpm (45, 50 and 75 baud).
US machines generally ran at 60 and 100; NATO machine at 66.

The TT-98 is a "page printer" only. It receives on page copy only. It can
transmit via the keyboard either online, or in local (not online).

The TT-98 was generally used with another machine, the Kleinschmidt
TT-76 (aka: AN/GGC-3). The TT-76 was OD green in color, operated
at the same speeds as the TT-98 and was a TAPE-only machine. It could
send and receive on tape, and it had a keyboard which permitted 
online and offline tape preparation. More on that machine later.

In fixed-station CommCenters, the TT-98 was used as a monitor
printer in Technical Control Facllities and at Tape Relay Supervisor
positions. It was also used at Multiple-Call Processing Unit positions 
(ZVA)
wherein "tape splitters" where used with other KLI machines to produce
individual tapes for tributary stations that arrived in relays with 
multiple
Routing Indicators (like Call Signs). The TT-98 was a very versatile
machine. It lasted in the US Army thru the late 1980s, being replaced
primarily by the Kleinschmidt-designed AN/UGC-74 printers.
(The TT-98 itself dates from about 1955, when the "gray" line of
KLI teletypes were introduced into the US Army, replacing the older
Model 15s, 19s, (AN/TGC-5s, 7s, etc).

The other machine you have appears to be a TT-292 or 252, but the
photo is hard to make out, so I am going to assume it is a 292. This is
a Navy machine. The Army did not use these. It was produced by the
Teletype Corporation. 

It is a TAPE-only receiver. I can run at the same speeds at the TT-98,
and likely, if you get them both running, they can in fact run together.

Several former Navy men in the group own some of these machines too
and can give guidance on their maintenance. Being an Army guy, I am
not overaly familiar with this particular model, other than having seen
them a few times while in the service at Naval installations.  

Not being a TTY repairman, I can't help you with restoration. However,
I do know a bit about how these machines were used, where used, etc,
and their histories, so if you need any more help, give a holler.

Best Wishes and Good luck with the restoration. Gives us an update on
progress once in awhile!

Happy New Year,

Dave in SC
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