[GreenKeys] What brought you here?

[til128 at juno.com]

Hi Jeff:
 
My story starts as I think most do. I was working for Uncle Sam as a Teletype repairman. When I got out I went into newspapers. The TT machines always intrigued me. When the paper was doing renovation, I spied a 28 RO in the dumpster. I right away called my son to help me rescue it.
 
Well, it sat in my garage not knowing what to do with , and naturally that famous leader, Mousy Dung took up residence on of all places the stunt box. Now for those who are unaware, aluminum and mouse pee do not go well together  :-((
 
At any rate, I think I Googled Teletype and found GreenKeys in 2004.
 
I asked for some info and Jack WA2HWJ Hart (SK) answered my plea. At the time unbeknownst to me he was right up the road from me.  He gave me a new typing unit, some advise on a loop. At that time Heavy Metal (The program by Bill Buzbee) was in vogue and we got it going. I was on my way collecting and repairing.
 
To make a long story short, Jack became my "elmer" and convinced me to FINALLY get my ticket.
 
It has become quite a collection.
 
Tom WB2TTY Tillson

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Jeff G <jeffg at junknet.net>
To: "GreenKeys at mailman.qth.net" <GreenKeys at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [GreenKeys] What brought you here?
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2020 13:44:50 -0400


I'm sure this has been done in the past, but figured I'd ask as I'm a bit of a newb here and it would give me something to read. What got you into Teletypes, and ultimately to Greenkeys? Can be a simple answer or a short story! For me...I always had an interest in them, and I'm into vintage computing amongst many many many other hobbies. I acquired a Teletype Model 32 and HAL ST-6 last year, and its been a learning experience to learn about the history, how they work, current loops, baudot, etc. I'd love to get a 33 some day, and (hopefully) have lines on a couple older models as well now, as I LOVE the old/steampunk/electromechanical aspect of them, and have several older items displayed in my living room, like an Edison cylinder player (Edison Triumph). That said I'm probably a youngin at 42. I'm also a new-ish ham (licensed in 2016) and definitely want to try RTTY, outside of a contest. Also just before the s--- hit the fan, I started volunteering on the Battleship NJ and aimed to help them get some of their TTY stuff going again. Jeff KC3GJX