Not the same but it could be used in a radar system. The US Army used counter-mortar and counter-artillery radar systems in the 1980's that used tape drives. The one I'm familiar with used a Raymond model 6401 TCU (tape cartridge unit). If I remember correctly it was a 9 track tape. They were AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 (known as Q-36 and Q-37 FireFinder) weapons locating systems. Probably a tape drive out of a similar system. edited to add: We (the USA) sent several Q-36 systems to Ukraine in the mid 2010's. They are/were serviced in my home state of PA at Tobyhanna Army Depot. ua-cam.com/video/O4r6wXMRdJk/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
I would be tempted to remove the tape and try to play it on a normal 4 track machine (2 of the tracks will probably play backwards though) - may need to put the tape on a normal tape reel first
Im only guessing here but if it's an aviation related device it might be driven by 28V DC. I would try to playback the tape in a different machine. Be aware that magnetic tapes can degrade rapidly just by spooling it on another spindle. One layer copies a faint echo on the underlying one. We are really curious if there's something if the tape was properly erased.
I have two nagging questions: What’s with the double tape? To reduce crosstalk? To prevent the tape from sticking? Finally, I can’t see an erase head? Is this playback only or are the tapes erased before they are put into the drive?
double tape is the drive system it's a loop of tensioned tape that drives the spools, it's similar to some data backup cartridges, you drive a capstan which drives the second tape loop and that drives the spools, it's *really* reliable and could stop the entire tape unspooling or snapping if there's a jam
That's so cool. It should be easy to play back the tape if you hook the head up to 2 strereo cassette decks, (bypassing the original heads), and power up the motor. Are you sure though that it's 1/4 inch tape ? It looks smaller than that.
I salvaged some airliner flight data recorder tapes from work. Quarter inch tape. Has been transferred onto 7 inch reels which is what I wanted. Not alot of tape on the reels. I did put one on my RTR deck and at slow speed you hear alot of white noise and buzzy sounds and occasionally a weird tone. But it may record at a much lower rate than my deck. I don't know if it is out and out digital or analog data, I did not look on a scope at the output. I could bulk erase the tape to use but you might get an album side on each side is all. Now tape is obsolete in flight recorders.
Looks like a pop from MissionImpossible. "Good Morning Mr. Phelps".
Beautiful specimen; brings back memories of having worked on flight data recorders.
Both Curious Mark and Usagi Electric would LOVE to get their hands on this Unit.
Collab???
Don't take it apart, turn it on!
Will self destruct 24 hours after opening..... So how can this be a four part story.
The explosion shattered the story into four pieces.
used to make a lot of black boxes for aircraft but the fun fact is that our black boxes are black, the other black boxes are red. 🙂
Not the same but it could be used in a radar system. The US Army used counter-mortar and counter-artillery radar systems in the 1980's that used tape drives. The one I'm familiar with used a Raymond model 6401 TCU (tape cartridge unit). If I remember correctly it was a 9 track tape. They were AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 (known as Q-36 and Q-37 FireFinder) weapons locating systems. Probably a tape drive out of a similar system. edited to add: We (the USA) sent several Q-36 systems to Ukraine in the mid 2010's. They are/were serviced in my home state of PA at Tobyhanna Army Depot. ua-cam.com/video/O4r6wXMRdJk/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
I would be tempted to remove the tape and try to play it on a normal 4 track machine (2 of the tracks will probably play backwards though) - may need to put the tape on a normal tape reel first
That's what Techmoan would do. He might have a compatible tape machine.
That Wahl Temp-Plate is pretty interesting too.
😮 This thing is the same age as me. Thanks for the content :)
Im only guessing here but if it's an aviation related device it might be driven by 28V DC.
I would try to playback the tape in a different machine.
Be aware that magnetic tapes can degrade rapidly just by spooling it on another spindle. One layer copies a faint echo on the underlying one.
We are really curious if there's something if the tape was properly erased.
That would make a seriously cool tape delay….
Doesn’t appear to have any discrete playback/recording heads, so wouldn’t work. Really neat tape deck though.
I have two nagging questions: What’s with the double tape? To reduce crosstalk? To prevent the tape from sticking? Finally, I can’t see an erase head? Is this playback only or are the tapes erased before they are put into the drive?
double tape is the drive system it's a loop of tensioned tape that drives the spools, it's similar to some data backup cartridges, you drive a capstan which drives the second tape loop and that drives the spools, it's *really* reliable and could stop the entire tape unspooling or snapping if there's a jam
@@M0UAW_IO83That’s cool! Thanks for the info!
That's interesting! I didn't see the double tape until you mentioned it. I think it drives the two spindles just by friction.
Asking for information when you've already done four part project...
Yes. I have lots of questions
That's so cool. It should be easy to play back the tape if you hook the head up to 2 strereo cassette decks, (bypassing the original heads), and power up the motor.
Are you sure though that it's 1/4 inch tape ? It looks smaller than that.
I salvaged some airliner flight data recorder tapes from work. Quarter inch tape. Has been transferred onto 7 inch reels which is what I wanted. Not alot of tape on the reels. I did put one on my RTR deck and at slow speed you hear alot of white noise and buzzy sounds and occasionally a weird tone. But it may record at a much lower rate than my deck. I don't know if it is out and out digital or analog data, I did not look on a scope at the output. I could bulk erase the tape to use but you might get an album side on each side is all. Now tape is obsolete in flight recorders.
Does higher altitude affect weight?
It will affect the weight but will not affect its rest mass.
The weight mentioned on the label is netweight without the reels and the tape.
It's minus the mounting hardware