[GreenKeys] They're Back - UGC-136 surplus batch

[Nick England]

Interesting info, John.
In 2022 I got email from the supply officer of two Ohio-class SSBN (missile
sub) squadrons looking for UGC-136C cartridges since none were available
via the Defense Logistics Agency (or otherwise) any more. So they were
still using these teletypewriters back then (and in 2023 when I got email
from an SSBN sailor asking about best ink for re-inking).

I sent the Navy a care package of 25 used cartridges which had been given
to me by Glenn Little WB4UIV. Glenn saved them back when he was serving
aboard subs and they were just going to throw away the used cartridges. So
that was quite a circular supply chain!

Are they still using the UGC-136C model aboard boomers? I dunno.

Nick England K4NYW
www.navy-radio.com


On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM John Spigel <w1an.dxusa at gmail.com> wrote:

> I was researching where some of these machines were installed. They were
> in many cases replacing most the 28s that were considered
> "unsupportable" back in the late 1980s. For subs they were installed on
> the Seawolf, Los Angeles and Trident Class. Tridents had most of the AX
> versions.
>
>  From Nov 1988 "Maritime Reporter" it appears the manufacturer was
> issued a contract to make additional AX units:
>
> "E-Systems Received $2.3-Million Contract
> E-Systems, Dallas, Texas, recently received a $2.3-million contract
> option exercised by the U.S. Navy for continued production of AN/
> UGC-136 (AX) military teleprinters for use in the submarine fleet. The
> contract was awarded by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command for
> 110 teleprinters and ancillary services to be delivered in 1989. Work
> will be performed by the ECI Division, St. Petersburg, Fla. The initial
> contract was awarded to ECI in 1987."
>
> Six years later in 1995 they were already starting to phase them out as
> part of a modernization to use PCs, laser printers, etc.
>
> 73, John W1AN
>
> On 10-Jul-25 12:21, Nick England wrote:
> > This is the UGC-136AX I restored several years ago
> > https://www.navy-radio.com/tty/ugc136.htm <https://www.navy-radio.com/
> > tty/ugc136.htm>
> >
> > receiving 60wpm (converted to 75 baud)
> > https://youtu.be/sSX5_5JRKiA <https://youtu.be/sSX5_5JRKiA>
> >
> > receiving 100wpm (75 baud)
> > https://youtu.be/hgFB3qeKQ5M <https://youtu.be/hgFB3qeKQ5M>
> >
> > Nick England K4NYW
> > www.navy-radio.com <http://www.navy-radio.com>
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
>
>
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