[GreenKeys] AN/TGC-1A - first torn-tape relay system - Lives!

[Duncanancy]

Jeff,What tape relay equipment do you have on the ship?Duncan Sent from my Kleinschmidt TT-4/TG, the US Army's first portable digital communications device, 1950-1980
-------- Original message --------From: Jeffrey Golas <jeffg at junknet.net> Date: 1/14/26  23:23  (GMT-05:00) To: Duncan Brown <duncanancy at earthlink.net> Cc: Green Keys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>, CommCenter1 <CommCenter1 at groups.io> Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] AN/TGC-1A - first torn-tape relay system - Lives! Wow...now I gotta get the one at the shipGoing to relaying from Nick to AWA.JeffOn Jan 14, 2026, at 6:09 PM, Duncan Brown <duncanancy at earthlink.net> wrote:

  

    
  
  
    Probably the only remaining AN/TGC-1, Torn-Tape Relay
      Set, designed in WWII,  just arrived at the AWA Museum today.
      
      <AN TGC-1 Tape Relay Pentagon 1950 lightened.png><ANTGC-1A arrives at AWA Museum.jpg>
      
      This was the first unit designed for store-and-forward relaying of
      teletypewriter messages. It was designed in 1943 by the Postal
      Telegraph Co. and then continued by Western Union (after they
      merged with Postal Telegraph). It consisted of two M14 typing
      reperforators and a 3-headed tape reader. It was initially known
      as "Package Unit SC-1A" when Western Union put them into
      production in 1944. Soon after, using the new Army-Navy naming
      system, its designator was changed to AN/TGC-1. They were used
      extensively by the US Army & Navy during WWII, along with
      other government agencies and WU up until about 1960.
      
      Before this equipment was available, all teletypewriter message
      relaying (like with the telegraph) was done by hand. An operator would receive a printed
      copy an incoming message from one circuit, and then would have to
      hand type the message onto another circuit.  With the AN/TGC-1, a
      message would be received on perforated tape. An operator would
      tear off the tape from the reperf, read the address and take it to
      the proper tape reader on another circuit to send it on its way. 
      Thus "Torn-Tape Relay".
      
      This unit is labeled as an AN/TGC-1A", but there are labels for
      six MWOs (Modification Work Orders) on the cabinet and I assume
      that the unit has been upgraded 
      to a "TGC-1B" or even a "TGC-1C". 
      
      It looks like it may never have been put in service, but it has
      been knocking around for at least 60 years and there is some wear.
      Also it is missing its "Signal Indicator Panel" and the tape bin,
      but hopefully I can resurrect them and get it operational.
      
      More to come.  73,
      
      Duncan Brown, K2OEQ
      USASA    31J30
      
      Antique Wireless Association
       Communication Technologies Museum
         Asst. Curator, Commercial Equipment
      (also chief TTY op & repairman)
      
      i-Telex: 212503
      
      www.antiquewireless.org
      Virtual AWA Museum TTY Tour: 
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpB6jM90VV8
      
      
    
  
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