[Troop139] Vietnam-era Communications Video

[Jim Cooper]

On 16 Aug 2011 at 13:26, J.Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT wrote:

> Besides the troposcatter UHF/Microwave
> systems, I think my favorite part was the paper
> tape being used to receive and retransmit
> messages! 

also noticed... 
- the preponderance of PATCH CORDS on everything!

- data on cards ...  did you notice the tech removing 
  the cards that were STUCK inside the reader? !!

- the amount of manual adjustment needed on 
   all the equipment

- 1200wpm paper tape relay ...  hits a note with me, 
since I was working for ITT WorldComm at about 
that time and I designed and installed a paper tape 
tty switching and relay system in the Pan Am bldg 
in NYC that occupied almost an entire floor of the 
building!  circuits came in from Tokyo, Europe, 
Australia, South America and were switched by 
MECHANICALLY reading the code on the paper tape 
and activating relays - based on the header code in 
each message!  One reason for the paper tape relay 
was because some circuits were 1/2- and 1/4-speed
(less cost to customer) so the tape would accumulate
and then burst out on the full speed circuits; and 
vice versa.. fulll speed would come in, punch the tape
which accumulated in the bin until it keyed out at 
1/4-speed...  lots and lots of 'oiled' paper tape and 
tiny little circular chads to dispose of!!

and that was "only" fifty years ago ... 

w2jc