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

[John Spigel]

A UGC-136 manual might be helpful:

https://ia801506.us.archive.org/9/items/nrf_ugc136ax-EE161-HA-OMI-010/ugc136ax-EE161-HA-OMI-010_text.pdf

Now after a few hours of study we'll be all set to go if they come with 
ribbon cartridges and AC line cords!

73, John W1AN

On 10-Jul-25 16:02, Nick England wrote:
> 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 <http://www.navy-radio.com>
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM John Spigel <w1an.dxusa at gmail.com 
> <mailto: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> <https://www.navy-radio.com/ <https://
>     www.navy-radio.com/>
>      > tty/ugc136.htm>
>      >
>      > receiving 60wpm (converted to 75 baud)
>      > https://youtu.be/sSX5_5JRKiA <https://youtu.be/sSX5_5JRKiA>
>     <https://youtu.be/sSX5_5JRKiA <https://youtu.be/sSX5_5JRKiA>>
>      >
>      > receiving 100wpm (75 baud)
>      > https://youtu.be/hgFB3qeKQ5M <https://youtu.be/hgFB3qeKQ5M>
>     <https://youtu.be/hgFB3qeKQ5M <https://youtu.be/hgFB3qeKQ5M>>
>      >
>      > Nick England K4NYW
>      > www.navy-radio.com <http://www.navy-radio.com> <http://www.navy-
>     radio.com <http://www.navy-radio.com>>
>      >
>      > ______________________________________________________________
>