[vcf-midatlantic] Paper tape

[Mike Loewen]

    Recently, I've been deep into paper tape territory. I exhumed my HP 2748B 
high speed paper tape reader, and got it running after a clutch plate 
adjustment. It's connected to my HP 2108A minicomputer, along with a 2645A 
terminal. I can punch tapes from a Linux system to a GNT-4601 paper tape 
reader/punch, connected via serial port. Then load the tape into the 2748B and 
read it into the 2108A. They're not kidding when they say "high speed".

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/HP/2748B/

    So, I'm able to load diagnostic tapes from a very large paper tape library 
on Bitsavers. Some of the diags only require front panel operation, while 
others need a terminal. There's also paper tape BASIC, which I'll get to after 
a connector arrives to make a different terminal cable.

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/HP/2108A/HP2108A_2748B_2645.jpg

    The 2748B reader doesn't have a takeup reel, so naturally the tape goes all 
over the floor. Rewinding it is a PITA. I saw a picture of a handheld HP tape 
rewinder, and built my own to chuck into my cordless drill. Rewinds even 
faster than it spits out!

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/HP/Rewinder.jpg


Mike Loewen				mloewen at cpumagic.scol.pa.us
Old Technology				http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/