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

[Nick England]

The USS Iowa and USS New Jersey have Model 28 torn tape equipment. A six-TD
Transmitter cabinet and a six-reperf Receiving cabinet. Along with two
triple- and one four-printer “waterfall” units.
https://www.navy-radio.com/ships/bb62/relay-bb62-2003.jpg

More photos and info here
https://www.navy-radio.com/tty-relay-equip.htm

Nick England K4NYW
Chapel Hill NC
www.navy-radio.com


On Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 8:49 AM Duncanancy <Duncanancy at earthlink.net> wrote:

> 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 ship
> Going to relaying from Nick to AWA.
>
> Jeff
>
> On 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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