- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

iMacs (27-inch, Late 2013 and Late 2009) in NoVA looking for a good home
by Maki Kato 29 Jul '25

29 Jul '25

I'm posting for two separate friends. One has an iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) that he needs to get rid of. The other has a 27" iMac Late 2009 that needs to go. Both are in Arlington VA. Please let me know and I can share contact info. Thanks. ....maki.... PS. I could possibly be talked into transporting this to the August System Source Repair Workshop.

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Identify magnetic cartridge
by Herbert Johnson 29 Jul '25

29 Jul '25

> An InfoAge member is looking for help to identify this: > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es783xJSARU photo 1 "RCS Mobile" plastic cartridge "retention cassette" label says "US Coast Guard segments JKL" voice says "fifty of these tapes ... from Kennedy [?]" "never seen before... can't find..." Photo 2 has end of cart, looks like 1/4" mag tape. voice says "little mirror" and Photo 4 B&W shows youngster with headphones, watching image, cartridge apparently plugged into a player about a cubic foot in size. YOutube video by Halligan142 promotes general metal machining tooling. *"RCS mobile" audio cartridges* on Google search by me Herb Johnson second Web link given is https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC-Engineering/Radio-World-Mo… brochure from "Radio World" NAB product preview, "the worlds largest electronic media show" april 2004 Las Vegas. Link content is "Tools from RCS Mobile integrate with other RCS products including Selector music scheduling and Master Control " studio automation." Page 15 of document "New Services from RCS" RCS of White Plains NY www.rcsworks.com RCS Web site suggests RCS produces Radio Automation software and playout. Under "company" and "about us", text says "RCS invented music scheduling on computers, opening its doors in 1979 with the very first version of the legendary Selector." Herb Johnson concludes: these cartridges are some kind of proprietary audio playback product that plays back audio messages probably minutes in length on a closed-loop audio track. Possibly video information is encoded also, an image of a player suggests this. All kinds of audio cartridge technology was produced for radio stations in the mid-20th century, for quick DJ access and automated platy of messages and music. Some were used for educational purposes, or kiosk type commercial displays. Later in the era, people often used VHS video tapes and automated players. Simply: these carts are like old 8-track audio tapes for automated audio play. Some looped to avoid manual rewind. Here's another example of that technology. https://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/rca_cart_history.html If the tape is 1/4 inch wide "standard" Mylar plasic with a magnetic coated surface, I suggest dismantling one of the carts to extract a tape and play it on some mono or stereo 1/4-inch reel-to-reel tape recorder. To see the actual tracks: You may be able to find some kind of "magnetic viewer" technology like this: https://store.arnoldmagnetics.com/product/284/magnetic-viewer-b-1022 that uses tiny iron filings in a fluid. Put upon magtapes, it visually shows the magnetic recording tracks under magnification. People who worked with 7 or 9 track 1/2-inch computer magtapes will know that tech. Regards, you're welcome Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Identify magnetic cartridge
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Jul '25

29 Jul '25

An InfoAge member is looking for help to identify this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es783xJSARU Can anyone help? Thanks! Jeff Brace

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Interesting Amiga Blog
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Jul '25

28 Jul '25

Found this posted on the TPUG mailing list: https://celso.io/posts/2025/01/26/the-first-perfect-computer/ Enjoy! Jeff Brace

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Amiga Repair Blog by Andy Davis
by Jeffrey Brace 25 Jul '25

25 Jul '25

I read this and it was interesting: https://celso.io/posts/2025/01/26/the-first-perfect-computer/ Jeff Brace

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Northern VA Swap meet - 24 August 2025
by Ryan Stapleton 23 Jul '25

23 Jul '25

Hello All a fellow Northern VA member is hosting a swap meet here in northern VA on 24 August 2025 - 1:30 to 6:00. I am just posting here for visibility. I am not the one running it but do want to get the visibility out there. Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1445728786752675?acontext=%7B%22event_actio… Including text here for those that do not have or use Facebook. I do think you can see the page without an account though. Location: Dulles South Recreation and Community Center 24950 Riding Center Dr, South Riding, VA 20152 Date: August 24 Time: Event 1:30pm-6:00pm Event will be indoors ... So its a go rain or shine ... No suffering in heat and no fending off bugs !!! General Admission: $5, includes a beverage and a raffle ticket for a chance at winning a SONY VAIO Vintage System; this includes matching keyboard, mouse and speakers !!! This is a CASH ONLY event, however vendors may accept alternative forms of payments; please note this is not implied. The intent is to bring together those with the same passion for vintage computing, open access to difficult to find items, have some fun, and hopefully attract younger generations to the hobby. IMPORTANT VENDOR INFORMATION: *** Added a little more time for setup *** Vendor setup will be @ 12:30-1:30 Vendor tear down 6:00-6:30 *** No vintage tech to sell or trade? Vintage computing themed Artisans or repair services welcomed. *** 1) Table Availability: Table numbers depend on demand, availability is limited. I will provide frequent updates to table availability. 2) Pricing: A flat fee applies for each 5’ round table and a couple of chairs. There is no commission on sales. Currently 1 table per vendor. 3) Refund Policy: Since tables are limited, reserved tables immediately decrease available inventory. Once reserved (except in the event of a cancellation), no refunds will be issued. 4) Everything that is brought must be taken away, no exceptions. Any vendor leaving behind anything will be barred from participating in future events. 5) Despite being indoors, power availability to vendor tables is not implied. Please send me any questions you may have. Thank you -Ryan

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DMV VCM - 7 Sept 2025 Meetup!
by Ryan Stapleton 23 Jul '25

23 Jul '25

Hello All, I have scheduled the DMV VCM next meetup! Where: Chantilly Regional Library 4000 Stringfellow Rd Chantilly, VA, 20151-2628 We have the larger room. When: 7 September 2025 01:00 PM to 06:00 PM (Room needs to be cleaned up and returned to library by a little before 6) A flyer can be found at: https://www.bluewizard.net/dmvvcm/vintagecomputermeetup/Vintage_Computer_Me… See ya there! Thanks -Ryan

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NeXT Cubes Available
by Bill Degnan 22 Jul '25

22 Jul '25

Hello I have been in my spare time messing around with NeXT hardware and I have built three extra working NeXT cube systems (mouse keyboard, computer, display) that I would be willing to let go for less than Ebay prices (look on Ebay for sold status complete systems). Two of them have SCSI2SD hard drives and I have one that still has a working original drive. I don't have any optical disks available, but the optical drives come with the system, untested. There are always caveats to define "works", but basically these are working computer systems that could be connected to a network and they come with a basic Next OS installed. I don't want to ship these if possible. So if you're willing to pick up the system (Landenberg, PA), you can try before you buy and pick the one you want at a discount to Ebay price. Contact me through kennettclassic.com/contact.cfm with your offer/timeline. FIrst come first served. Shipping is available if you want to pay a shipping charge, plus postage. I have shipping boxes. I am going to VCFMW this year, but I am flying there and won't be able to bring them. If you want the cube system delivered to VCFMW, you'd have to find someone to deliver it for you, or have it shipped. I am willing to deliver a system a reasonable distance from the Phila/Baltimore area. Cash, CC, Paypal, check accepted. Bill Degnan 484 732 7041 kennettclassic.com

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OT: Save Murry Hill (Bell Labs)
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Jul '25

19 Jul '25

The future of the site is unknown. Help share your input to help preserve this historic site! Survey: https://www.berkeleyheights.gov/BellLabsSurvey Article: https://www.berkeleyheights.gov/1589/11-Nokia-Bell-Labs#:~:text=With%20Noki… . Jeff Brace

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Exhibitor Registration: VCF Montréal 2026
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Jul '25

17 Jul '25

Yes. The Vintage Computer Federation is having a new show in Montréal, Canada, Jan 24-25. Our first show in Canada! It's only a 6 hour drive from InfoAge! *Committed speakers:* LGR Adrian Black Curious Marc Jeri Elsworth Action Retro Peter Cherna DJ Sures Leo Binkowski Here is the info: https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/ This is the exhibitor registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4dnGLg9Ubt3gSxNNcOukTIhTNZZK2dQB… And don't worry, I will bring the good weather with me as always. So no need to worry about snow! Jeff Brace

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