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

Thu Jan 15 10:21:23 EST 2026

Nick,

QSL - I remember seeing that picture, now.

So did one ship in a "group" act as comm center/relay for all the other 
ships? relaying messages to them over VHF/UHF/Light?

Duncan
K2OEQ

On 1/15/2026 10:05 AM, Nick England wrote:
> 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 <http://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 <http://www.antiquewireless.org>
>>     Virtual AWA Museum TTY Tour:
>>     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpB6jM90VV8
>>
>>
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