What's the "Classic" thing about ? I don't have physical access to it so, I can't check the label.
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Your drives are from a DEC Classic "personal computer" system - it was built into a desk with a PDP-8/A hidden behind the footwell on the right. This setup is currently wedged into a corner in my basement and I can't show the back where the 8/A was installed. The user had no direct access to the computer - there is a remote power-on and reset button just to the left of the console keyboard. Normally, the VT-52 sits in a slight recess and the drives sat next to the user with open deskspace above. The 8/E is sitting there for lack of space but has nothing to do with this system.
There's room for a second set of drives (4 drives total) below the existing set. I'd love to give your drives a home if you wish - or, a lot easier, maybe we could just swap faceplates - your "Classic" for a standard RX01-02 version.
Jack
Tim,
My system came from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and was clearly an "educational" system. It ended up with the Carleton Radio Club and the patch panel in the second drive bay was part of a RTTY interface. I think I got some related software with the system but I can't remember if it was just code practice or an actual RTTY transmit/receive program.
The panel was just the minimal "operator's panel" and in normal use is completely hidden inside and behind the machine. I also snagged a "programmer's panel" but it doesn't get much use.
"Someday" the 8/E will be listening to through an R-390A and talking to an M28 teletype.
Jack
KC9HVE
"It" needs a metric buttload of round tuits. The disk pack is indeed for an RKO5 but the platter is ruined and due for replacement.
"It" needs a metric buttload of round tuits. The disk pack is indeed for an RKO5 but the platter is ruined and due for replacement.
How would you go about replacing that? And where would you find a replacement?
So if I get this right, a pack for RK05 was different whether it was made for PDP-8 or for PDP-11 ?
Yes - that's the plan. I've got nothing to lose and much to gain if I can salvage the 8 hub and housing. I don't know about the rest of the world but among my sources, 11 packs are available while packs for 8s are not. I figure if I'm careful about torquing the platter down and can get run-out within specs, I've got a fair chance of succeeding.
Of course, if anyone has a spare 8 pack available, that would still be the first choice.
Yep. pdp-8 packs are 16 sector. pdp-11 packs are 12 sector. Thus there are a different number of index marks on the hub.
Are these read optically or magnetically?
I've read about a DF-32 restoration where the index marks are on the outer rim and had to be recreated.