[QuadList] New Octaplex recorder design

[Don Norwood]

Hi Allan:

Yes, there were a variety of transverse scan instrumentation recorders over 
the years and also some data recorders such as the Ampex TBM which used 
eight heads.  In the case of the instrumentation recorders, the eight head 
versions were used to record two channels when it was essential to have an 
absolute time relationship between the two tracks.  Some designs, such as 
the Ampex FR-900 which has been discussed here due to its recent restoration 
by Dennis Wingo and his team for the NASA tapes, were available in either 
single or dual channel configurations as required.  RCA also had a number of 
designs dating back to the early 60's.  I have some technical papers on 
these if there is interest.

Don

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <allanmc-avtech at comcast.net>
To: "Quad List" <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:32 PM
Subject: Re: [QuadList] New Octaplex recorder design


>I recall "stories" of NASA having specialized 2" quad VTRs adapted to 
>record data telemetry using headwheels with eight heads.  Never saw one 
>myself, but this discusion recalls those old memories.  Does anyone else 
>know anything about such machines or technology?
>
> Allan McConnell
>
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: "Don Norwood" <dwnorwood at embarqmail.com>
>
>> Following up with a little more info, attached is a pic of the head
>> assembly, a pic of a "modern" RCA octaplex head, and the track format 
>> specs
>> for the machine.
>>
>> You can see that the RCA head very closely resembles a quad video head,
>> except that it has 8 transducers on the drum. Additional studying of the
>> manual indicates that the female guide on the early Ampex did not have 
>> any
>> vacuum. Instead, the tape path appears to have placed the guide slightly
>> outside of the normal plane of the tape path, thus causing the tape to
>> travel against the guide.
>>
>> Don


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