[GreenKeys] Finally acquired ASR-33 (TWX Machine)

[Jeffrey Golas]

After searching for years, I finally acquired a Teletype 33. Im sure Ill be posting questions, although I did have a 32 already.

One thing that took me by surprise is that opening the base, theres a Bell 101c “dataset” inside, essentially a TWX modem, and it takes up the entire base. At first I almost thought it was a small 1A2 system! It does have the Twx side panel with a touch tone dial.

Interestingly, my 32 which was also Twx/telex doesnt have this, although it does have a rotary dial. I didnt open the base up completely to look but maybe it was removed. The 32 was used for RTTY for ham radio by its previous owner (and so far unsuccessfully by its current owner).

So just out of curiosity, it sounds/looks like a twx teletype can basically call another twx enabled machine as long as its a matching ascii/baudot machine. Is this compatible with iTelex users? Also does anyone know if a standard modem can be made to work for TWX (or if a standard serial twx modem exists outside of itelex)?

Lastly, it seems ascii-baudot calls were handled by an operator and a converter device; do these still exist anywhere?

Thanks!

Jeff KC3GJX