[GreenKeys] video - UGC-77 - with TEMPEST photoelectric keyboard/distributor

[Robert Nickels]

On 1/20/2017 3:05 PM, Nick England wrote:
> This machine runs with +/- 6v signaling and has a photoelectric 
> keyboard and distributor.
>
Hi Nick,

Hey that's pretty cool!  Back in the 70s, my first job was designing 
custom keyboards for a small company and one day we got an RFQ for a 
"Tempest keyboard" from one of the mil contractors. We did a lot of 
stuff for FAA and I figured it would be similar, but after getting what 
I determined to be "the run-around" at the Maryland phone number they'd 
specified for obtaining the Tempest specs, I finally demanded to talk 
with a supervisor.  I did, but it turned out to be a short conversation.

He told me I couldn't get the spec (NACSEM 5100) without "need to 
know".   How the hell do I get that I asked?   "Well, you need to have a 
contract".   How do I submit a bid so I can get a contract without 
knowing what is in the spec? I asked, quite reasonably I thought.    The 
response was "That's not my problem".

A teachable moment - "Intro to Bureaucracy 101" ;-)   I sent off a "no 
bid" reply.

73, Bob W9RAN