[QuadList] prototyping question

[Don Norwood]

Hi Dave:

Just a guess, but especially with the NASA connection, the machine might have been a transverse scan instrumentation recorder.  We've had discussions here previously about the many variations of these in the past.  Perhaps the most famous in recent times are the FR-900's that have been resurrected for the LOIRP.  They were later models that were in regular production, but early machines began to show up almost immediately after the transverse scan video decks.  

RCA made lots of variations of these.  In the mid 70's, I bought a highly modified TR-5 that came from a government agency.  It had an overhead bridge like a miniature TR-22, but the only monitoring in the bridge was a Tek scope (not waveform monitor), and the rest was filled with delay line modules...lots of them!  The machine ran at low speed and had a special version headwheel.  Somewhere, I have some (not very good) pictures.

Don
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Sieg 
  To: Quad List 
  Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 6:56 PM
  Subject: [QuadList] prototyping question


  I've been breadboarding a prototype for a client and it brings to mind a prototyped quad machine I saw years ago.
  Thought someone here might be able to shed some light on it. Lets set the WayBack machine to about 1977...
  When I was CE at the University of Mississippi media center, we got some surplus NASA equipment from
  Huntsville, AL.  One of the most interesting items was the transport to an old Ampex VR1000 that had
  been extensively modified.  My guess is that it was a prototype for using a quad-type transport to record
  higher data rates.  There were four J-shaped copper boxes inside of which was intricate, extremely well constructed 
  hand-built head preamps/record amps that sat stacked just above the head extending back between the reels.
  Mounted under the transport below were several of the standard Ampex 19" card cages (like the servos use)
  mounted beneath with hand-wired boards and a standard Ampex power supply.  Blue-ribbon edge connectors.


  It occurs to me that Ampex personnel would probably have been involved in developing the prototype, and since
  I know there are some old Ampex alums on here, I thought maybe someone here might know the story behind this machine.
  Unfortunately, with no documentation, there was no chance of ever getting it to do anything, and I have no idea what
  ever happened to it,  but I did spend a lot of time admiring the exceptionally well-designed and executed prototype 
  workmanship, and I think of the techniques as a shining example whenever I get out my breadboards and soldering iron.


  Unfortunately I have no pictures of it.


  Anyone here have any clues about what this machine might have been for and who might have been the
  craftsmen behind the circuitry?


  -- 
  Dave Sieg
  www.linkedin.com/in/davesieg
  www.davesieg.com
  www.scanimate.com




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