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

Thu Jan 15 20:12:48 EST 2026

I hope so as thats how I talk about the torn tape system to visitors lol.
Yeah all our stuff is pretty trashed internally, but we have one punch and
one working TD that are connected via a 12v loop for demo purposes.
Hopefully I can resurrect another pair for on-air use, and also hoping we
can wire up one of the waterfall teletypes too at some point.

Jeff

On Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 10:21 AM Duncan Brown <duncanancy at earthlink.net>
wrote:

> 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
>
>
> 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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>> >>> Jordan Spencer Cunningham's GreenKeys Search Tool:
>> https://teletype.net/gksearch
>> >>> 2002-to-present greenkeys archive:
>> http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/greenkeys/
>> >>> 1998-to-2001 greenkeys archive:
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>> http://comcents.com/tty/greenkeyssearch.html
>>
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