[QuadList] Quad Libraries--White House Communications Agency

Thu Jan 8 15:23:39 CST 2009

Park, 

Well... actually they were telling you the truth about WHCA repairing TV sets.  In addition to our recording of the TV News programs and providing all manner of electronic communications.... our unit also repaired the TV sets in the WH.   That included the fabrication of what we called a Triple.   Enclosed three 21" color TV sets in a single cabinet (with cured back to match the curved oval office wall) with motorized doors and remote channel change.   Doesn't sound like so much now, but for 1960's technology, we thought it was really something to be proud of.    As the number of TV networks grew, we made additional units for other WH offices that had four TV sets built in.  Other units in WHCA provided sound amplification and recording of presidential speeches.    Like I said, WHCA provided all manner of electronic communications support.  

Allan 

------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "C. Park Seward" <park at videopark.com> 
Hi Allan,

Interesting. I almost became a military employee of the WHCA. During basic, I interviewed with those guys but became suspicious when I asked them what my job would be. They said the purpose of the WHCA was to "fix the TV sets in the White House."

Yea, right...

Best,
Park

C. Park Seward
Visit us: http://www.videopark.com

On Jan 5, 2009, at 12:20 PM, allanmc-avtech at comcast.net wrote:

Happy New Year Everyone, 

I'm glad to see this message string concerning the WHCA 2" quad videotapes since I was there during the recording of those made from late 1968 until 1973.    From 1969 through 1973 I was in charge of the VTR Recording Section at WHCA (White House Communications Agency).   Back in the day, we did not take personal photos "of the work place" since we were reminded frequently to keep a low profile.   I can say that initially we had only two Ampex VR2000B machines plus several of the open gate 1" Ampex decks.   I don't recall the exact date, but we did acquire a 3rd quad deck when we installed an RCA TR-70C.  So, I definitely can attest to having experienced the joys of replacing transformer brushes in those headwheels.  We were operating in a tiny room up in the attic space of the OEOB (Old Executive Office Building) next door to the White House.  Working in cramped space we initially recorded virtually every network and local (D.C.) TV news cast.   When we were finally able to add th

e 3rd quad VTR we could finally record simultaneous feeds from each of the three major networks.  

As for the Weekly News Summaries, we simply used the basic Electronic Editor in the Ampex VTRs for sequencing the stories back to back.  I recall that we did not have a reliable CG at the time and used a rather crude combination of a vidicon camera shooting a black card with white letters to identify those summary tapes.  

And, we went through so much quad tapes that my arms and legs still ache just thinking about all those reels and reels (each in a plastic shipper case) that we carried up the last flight of stairs in to the recording room.   The elevator stopped one floor below.  So, the last floor up to the VTR recording Room was all manually carried.   Being young and foolish at the time, we would often grab four ninety six minute reels (two plastic shippers in each hand) and then trudge up that last flight of steps.   Since, I've had both my knees replaced I have to wonder how many knees were ruined carrying those tapes up and then back down again.  

But, even with all that.... I loved those days and really miss the challenges we faced.   For example, we had to find a way to reduce the machine noise of the Ampex VTR's vacuum pumps in a small room.  So, we removed them and replaced with venturi valves.   And then, without reliable house compressed air, we had to use individual compressors which were constantly failing due to the high humidity of the Washington location.   So, we fabricated a sound baffle box to minimize the sound while blowing air conditioned  air into the Air Compressors.    Sure was fun over coming challenges when you had to do what you had to do... just to keep the place operating. 

Good Memories....thanks for letting me share, 

Allan McConnell

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Ted Langdell <ted at quadvideotapegroup.com>

Hi, Steve,

On Jan 5, 2009, at 8:16 AM, Steve Greene wrote:

I'll be happy to try to provide additional information to any  

interested parties.

Sincerely,

Steve Greene

I'm sure folks on the list would be interested in the process and  

equipment used for migration and what format(s) they end up on.

Sounds like you have to send tapes back to College Park for transfer?   

Do you get them back or are they stored there?

Looking at the 1973 logs for WHCA, it would appear that the local  

Washington/Baltimore stations newscasts were recorded... which would  

have meant quite a few machines rolling at the same time.

What can you tell us about the WHCA facilities for recording and  

editing Quad in the Nixon years?  Photos?

When did WHCA's use of Quad end?

Thanks very much,

Ted

Ted Langdell

flashscan8.us

209 East 12th Street

Marysville, CA 95901

Main: (530) 741-1212

Cell: (530) 301-2931

Secretary for the QuadVideotapeGroup.com:

Preserving Tape, Equipment and the Knowledge to use them, in  

conjunction with the Library of Congress

ted at quadvideotapegroup.com

flashscan8.us home of gentle, faster than realtime flashscan HD,  

realtime flashscan8, flashstransfer 16/35

digital film transfer systems and other products from the creative  

engineers at MWA Nova, Berlin.

tedlangdell.com. Storytelling through Broadcast Coverage and Creative  

Services since 1974

From: Ted Langdell <ted at quadvideotapegroup.com>

Date: January 5, 2009 10:38:34 AM PST

To: Quad List <quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com>

Subject: Re: [QuadList] Quad Libraries--White House Communications Agency

Hi, Steve,

On Jan 5, 2009, at 8:16 AM, Steve Greene wrote:

I'll be happy to try to provide additional information to any interested parties.

Sincerely,

Steve Greene

I'm sure folks on the list would be interested in the process and equipment used for migration and what format(s) they end up on.  

Sounds like you have to send tapes back to College Park for transfer?  Do you get them back or are they stored there?

Looking at the 1973 logs for WHCA, it would appear that the local Washington/Baltimore stations newscasts were recorded... which would have meant quite a few machines rolling at the same time.

What can you tell us about the WHCA facilities for recording and editing Quad in the Nixon years?  Photos?

When did WHCA's use of Quad end?

Thanks very much,

Ted

Ted Langdell
flashscan8.us
209 East 12th Street
Marysville, CA 95901
Main:  (530) 741-1212
Cell:  (530) 301-2931

Secretary for the QuadVideotapeGroup.com: 
Preserving Tape, Equipment and the Knowledge to use them, in conjunction with the Library of Congress
ted at quadvideotapegroup.com

flashscan8.us home of gentle, faster than realtime flashscan HD, realtime flashscan8, flashstransfer 16/35
digital film transfer systems and other products from the creative engineers at MWA Nova, Berlin.

tedlangdell.com. Storytelling through Broadcast Coverage and Creative Services since 1974

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Subject: Re: [QuadList] Quad Libraries--White House Communications Agency
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