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

Tue Jul 15 16:36:59 EDT 2025

FWIW, I have added photos of the ribbon cartridge - perhaps someone will
recognize it and have a source....
https://www.navy-radio.com/tty/ugc136/ribbon.htm

Nick England K4NYW
www.navy-radio.com

On Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM Nick England <navy.radio at gmail.com> wrote:

> A few comments  -
> 1. The AC power cord connector is MS3116F14-5SW (note the W orientation, a
> 5S will not work).
> A power cord is probably not included since it is listed as NOT INCLUDED
> in the manual
> If you don't want to spend $25 or so for a connector on eBay, it is easy
> to use a few old molex or tube pin connectors and do this
> https://www.navy-radio.com/tty/ugc136/ugc136-ac-conn.jpg
> pins A, B are AC line, pin C is gound.
>
> 2. The ribbon/cartridge is no longer available AFAIK.
> If you are lucky, your machine may come with a ribbon. Be prepared to keep
> and cherish it and re-ink it. If you get an extra please share with your
> less fortunate buddies. I only have 3-4 used cartridges left, but
> greenkeyer John Toebes is going to create a 3D model so that someone can 3D
> print more.
> Will keep you posted on this.
> Cartridge is on the right in this photo
> https://www.qsl.net/vy2ac/ugc504f.jpg
> My 136AX came with no ribbon so I printed on carbonless paper until Glenn
> WB4UIV gave me a box of used ribbons that he had accumulated while serving
> aboard submarines. A couple of years ago I sent two dozen of those to the
> US Navy because they couldn't find any new cartridges to use aboard their
> missile subs.....
>
> 3. The UGC-136 will not run 45 baud (60wpm) so you cannot use it for
> normal ham radio RTTY or our military RATT net unless you have a speed
> converter TU to run it at 50 baud or 75 baud - but remember you can use
> ITTY-100 and W1AN files at 75 baud for testing and demo purposes. Perhaps
> someone will make a little speed converter board using a PIC or Arduino or
> whatever.
>
> 4. The interface is MIL-STD-188 low level signaling (+/-6v). It will
> probably work OK for EIA RS-232 but I have no experience with that.
> It will NOT work with any 20ma or 60ma current loop.
>
> Some more info on on my page at
> https://www.navy-radio.com/tty/ugc136.htm
> and on Dave's page at
> https://www.qsl.net/vy2ac/ugc-504.html
>
> Have Fun!
> Nick England K4NYW
> www.navy-radio.com
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 7:50 AM John Hargett <kg5ylg at austin.rr.com> wrote:
>
>> So had a chance today (07/14/2025) after work to go thru most of the
>> boxes Jon N5MHI came out to give a hand. Did not open all, just picked a
>> random few, mainly ones on a pallet that had loose tape or was already
>> open.   Four  of the boxes that came in were already open and missing
>> some of the packing material, so those will be held for local pick up
>> only.  We have a mix of what appears to be NOS , factory sealed and
>> units that went thru the repair facility and had items that were in need
>> of replacement taken care of.    So far they all look to be in excellent
>> condition.
>>
>>      I will end up re-taping  a lot of the boxes to be sure that they do
>> not come open in transit, and possibly add some carton strapping to them
>> to help reinforce the boxes.  the tape that is on all of them is either
>> paper or a mil grade "duct" tape, all which is kind of brittle,
>> 1992-1998+/- vintage.  the ones we looked at are packed very well, using
>> expanding foam and plastic liner and the units themselves are sealed in
>> a silver static vacuum bag. The only ones that were not in a  silver
>> vacuum bag were the 2 that GOVPLANET had out for pics.
>>
>>      I will try to update the list tomorrow, has been a long day today.
>> We have had more request than machines,  Hopefully we can get one to all
>> those I have on the list so far.  Have had still interest in these as
>> of today with a few new emails .  It will be the next box up that goes
>> out to each member, so no ability to request one box over the other is
>> not a choice.
>>
>>
>>   I feel the easiest way for me would be for each member to take care of
>> shipping from their end and send me the  label to put on the box, that
>> way it keeps my cost down and less transfer of money. We have FedEx by
>> every day picking up, we dont use UPS that often so  they wont pick up ,
>> but I drive by a UPS store every day so could drop off if that is
>> preferred.  Have not inquired about a price to ship a pallet to another
>> location to be re-distributed, limited to six machines on a pallet due
>> to their size and std pallet sizing.
>>
>>   Will put my paypal and venmo info in the next email, or if you prefer,
>> sending a check is ok, but will not ship till check clears.  Like I
>> mentioned the current cost per unit is just under $80.00, so that or
>> anything over is fine.  Not looking to make money on this, just to
>> recover my cost and save them from the landfill. My address is good on
>> QRZ.
>>
>>
>>
>>      Some pics of the unboxing and pallets at this link
>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/FkwtBgvXvwPTf3mY9
>>
>>
>> John Hargett
>>    KG5YLG
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
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