RE: Daisywheel typewriter emulating a TTY
>> Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:38:00 +0200 >> From: "GerardCJAT" >> To: , >> >> I would like to emulate a TTY, using a daisywheel typewriter. >> One immediately think : " Find an IBM Selectric, a Friden flexowriter or a like " >> But NO, I want something less complex, mechanical wise. >> That's why I want to investigate on daisywheel typewriters. >> I am aware of IBM Actionwriter and Triumph/Adler/Royal Gabriele 9009 that can be used >> as a printer with a dedicated interface BUT that is one way only : Printer only ! >> From my investigation, so far ***, KEYBOARD does not send ( upload ? ) any signals. >> ( or a special command code is required ?? ) >> Any suggestion for "others" daisywhell typewriters that could do >> OR someone already went this way ? >> OR any documentation ( even user's manual ) on the dedicated interface : >> ( IF 600 Computer Interface for Triumph/Adler/Royal Gabriele 9009 ) >> ( ???name??? for IBM Actionwriter ) I immediately thought - any reason a Diablo 1650 wouldn't do?
Re: TeleVideo's MmmOST
And here's the technical bits -- a brain dump of a lot of what I learned from reverse engineering the protocol: https://worldofvax.blogspot.com/2019/04/televideo-systems-part-vi-mmmost.html Pat
Re: Fujitsi 2444AC 9-track tape drive/PDP-11
Question to owners of the 2444AC. I have been looking to acquire the Emulex QT13 but cannot find anything on ebay (I did miss one early on and wanted to kick myself). Anyone have one available for purchase? Second question. The cable that I need to make here. Can anyone confirm I need to female IDC connectors on each side? (the tape drive and the QT13 have male pins)? Thanks From: cctalk on behalf of Glen Slick via cctalk Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 12:40 AM To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Subject: Re: Fujitsi 2444AC 9-track tape drive/PDP-11 On Mon, Mar 18, 2019 at 8:35 PM W2HX via cctalk wrote: > > Now for some questions. > > 1. I've been told the QT13 is a very good card to interface here. I've > been looking for a while on ebay without luck. I do see a QT14 on ebay right > now at a good price, but I am not familiar with the "S" card business and > what that means for use in a PDP-11 backplane. > > 2. Anyone have a QT13 for sale? Or based on my dec and unix interests, > is there a better/recommended card? > > 3. Anyone have the 50 pin cables/connectors available? If not I feel > confident I could make these up. But I thought I'd ask in case someone has a > set getting in their way > A Fujitsu M2444AC in new condition is a great tape drive if you want to work with 9-track 1/2-inch tapes, and don't need 800BPI, and plan to use it with a host with a Pertec interface, and have the space to set it up and someone to help you move a 200 pound drive into place. You have to manually thread the tape when you load it, but I actually consider that a plus as it is one less thing to go wrong compared to an auto loading tape drive. I currently have a couple of them that I have used with Q-Bus systems. I agree with the recommendation to use an Emulex QT13 interface. That is what I have used in TMSCP mode to install 2.11BSD and RSTS/E 10.1 from tape on an 11/73 system. I also have one or more Dilog DQ130/132/140/142 Pertec interfaces (I forget what the models are, some don't have manuals on Bitsavers). Those aren't quite as friendly to set up and use as the QT13. I'd have to look and see how many QT13 cards I have. Probably more than two for the two M2444AC drives I have. I just built cables myself. I have a 3M Scotchflex 3640 press which makes it easy to press the IDC connectors on to the cable. I bought a full 100-foot roll of 3M 1700/50 or 3365/50 cable for a reasonable price on eBay.
Re: Fujitsi 2444AC 9-track tape drive/PDP-11
On Thu, Apr 11, 2019 at 5:55 PM W2HX via cctalk wrote: > > Question to owners of the 2444AC. I have been looking to acquire the Emulex > QT13 but cannot find anything on ebay (I did miss one early on and wanted to > kick myself). Anyone have one available for purchase? > > Second question. The cable that I need to make here. Can anyone confirm I > need to female IDC connectors on each side? (the tape drive and the QT13 have > male pins)? > > Thanks That reminds me I need to check to see how many QT13 boards I currently have and see if I have one to spare. This picture shows the SUN configuration female D-shell connectors with ribbon cables running to the two 50-pin Pertec interface connectors on the cache controller board: http://w2hx.com/x/VintageComp/Fujitsu-2444AC/0306192310.jpg If you remove those 'A' and 'B' ribbon cables then you just need a pair of 50-pin cables with female IDC connectors on one side, and if you are using a QT13 then female IDC connectors on the other side as well. You need to check the connector pinout tables in the 2444AC manual against the QT13 manual to see which connector on the 2444AC goes to which connector on the QT13 so you don't get the cables crossed. I forget without checking the manuals myself.
Control Console, but not PDP-10
The PDP-10 Control Console sold for $3,650.00. Amazing! Now consider a DSKY. Currently at $27,500.00. Auction estimate: $60,000+ Great provenance! “The DSKY that saved Apollo 14.” https://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=5222 “Apollo 14 LM Simulator Computer Display and Keyboard (DSKY) from MIT Instrumentation Laboratory” Historically significant Apollo Guidance Computer Display and Keyboard (DSKY) unit from the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, used by Don Eyles and Sam Drake to verify the software patch needed to avoid an abort during the Apollo 14 lunar landing sequence. The data entry and display device measures 8″ x 8″ x 6.5″, and has 19 keys and an electroluminescent digital display. The back of the unit retains its metal NASA parts tag which reads, “Apollo G & N System, AGC DSKY Assy, Part No. 2003985-041, Serial No. RAY 26, NAS 9-497, Designed by M.I.T. Instrumentation Lab, Mfg. by Raytheon Co., " with yellow inspection stamps above. In fine condition. Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance from the present owner, who was employed at the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory to design, build, and maintain the CM and LM cockpit simulators. He retained the DSKY in 1978 when the LM cockpit simulator was dismantled and discarded. The DSKY was the astronaut's interface to the Apollo Guidance Computer developed by MIT, and was critical to every aspect of the mission. Each program had a two-digit code and commands were entered as two-digit numbers in a verb-noun sequence. The device permitted the astronauts to collect and provide flight information necessary for the precise landings on the moon. It was the DSKY that provided the astronauts with critical burn times for engine firings, course corrections, trajectories, and other key calculations vital in getting a crew to and from the moon. The DSKY also reported the program alarm moments before the LM touched down on the lunar surface to land. During Apollo 14, a loose ball of solder floating inside the abort switch of the LM Antares caused an intermittent short circuit, threatening to accidentally activate the switch and rocket the module back into orbit during its landing sequence. In order to prevent that scenario, MIT computer programmer Don Eyles, a developer of the AGC's source code, was asked to hack his own software to find a workaround. This represented the most dramatic moment for MIT's programmers throughout the entire Apollo program, as they had just three to four hours to work out a fix, test it, and relay it to the astronauts in time for Powered Descent Initiation (PDI). Eyles accomplished his task in just two hours, developing a 26-command sequence to be entered into the DSKY that reprogrammed the AGC to ignore the abort button. The codes were relayed to Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell with ten minutes to spare, and the LM Antares successfully touched down on the lunar surface at 09:18:11 UTC on February 5, 1971. As the MIT DSKY used to verify the code that saved the Apollo 14 mission, this is an exceptionally important piece of space history. -
Control Console, but not PDP-10
The PDP-10 Control Console sold for $3,650.00. Amazing! Now consider a DSKY. Currently at $27,500.00. Auction estimate: $60,000+ Great provenance! “The DSKY that saved Apollo 14.” https://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=5222 -
Re: Control Console, but not PDP-10
On Fri, Apr 12, 2019 at 1:23 AM Paul Birkel via cctalk wrote: > Now consider a DSKY. Currently at $27,500.00. Auction estimate: $60,000+ I'd love to have a DSKY to fiddle around on, just for kicks, but my budget for a replica is a tiny fraction of that... -ethan
Re: Fujitsi 2444AC 9-track tape drive/PDP-11
I should have a few, and will try to check this weekend. Paul On Thu, Apr 11, 2019 at 7:55 PM W2HX via cctalk wrote: > Question to owners of the 2444AC. I have been looking to acquire the > Emulex QT13 but cannot find anything on ebay (I did miss one early on and > wanted to kick myself). Anyone have one available for purchase? > > Second question. The cable that I need to make here. Can anyone confirm I > need to female IDC connectors on each side? (the tape drive and the QT13 > have male pins)? > > Thanks > > > From: cctalk on behalf of Glen Slick via > cctalk > Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 12:40 AM > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Subject: Re: Fujitsi 2444AC 9-track tape drive/PDP-11 > > On Mon, Mar 18, 2019 at 8:35 PM W2HX via cctalk > wrote: > > > > Now for some questions. > > > > 1. I've been told the QT13 is a very good card to interface here. > I've been looking for a while on ebay without luck. I do see a QT14 on ebay > right now at a good price, but I am not familiar with the "S" card business > and what that means for use in a PDP-11 backplane. > > > > 2. Anyone have a QT13 for sale? Or based on my dec and unix > interests, is there a better/recommended card? > > > > 3. Anyone have the 50 pin cables/connectors available? If not I > feel confident I could make these up. But I thought I'd ask in case someone > has a set getting in their way > > > > A Fujitsu M2444AC in new condition is a great tape drive if you want > to work with 9-track 1/2-inch tapes, and don't need 800BPI, and plan > to use it with a host with a Pertec interface, and have the space to > set it up and someone to help you move a 200 pound drive into place. > You have to manually thread the tape when you load it, but I actually > consider that a plus as it is one less thing to go wrong compared to > an auto loading tape drive. > > I currently have a couple of them that I have used with Q-Bus systems. > I agree with the recommendation to use an Emulex QT13 interface. That > is what I have used in TMSCP mode to install 2.11BSD and RSTS/E 10.1 > from tape on an 11/73 system. I also have one or more Dilog > DQ130/132/140/142 Pertec interfaces (I forget what the models are, > some don't have manuals on Bitsavers). Those aren't quite as friendly > to set up and use as the QT13. > > I'd have to look and see how many QT13 cards I have. Probably more > than two for the two M2444AC drives I have. I just built cables > myself. I have a 3M Scotchflex 3640 press which makes it easy to press > the IDC connectors on to the cable. I bought a full 100-foot roll of > 3M 1700/50 or 3365/50 cable for a reasonable price on eBay. >
