Here's Console Serial Disk successfully booting!
I tried getting the directory of one presumably PDP-10 tape and got gibberish. Others gave an error.
This one spit out exactly the same directory information that was contained within the DECtape container. Cool! Couldn't seem to do anything with the files, but it's also possible that's user error. However, it does seem that it really only will do an image copy to another PDP-10 formatted DECtape...
I plugged in the DW8E power cord and nothing happened. I don't see a remote power connection, so maybe there are some power supply issues...
In the meantime, I tested the RK8E (or maybe an RK8F) controller that came with my DW8E in my 8/M. Visually, it seems to be the same as my RK8E I found piecemeal on eBay years ago, except with less damage. I made a post a while back on that, if I recall.
The set from the DW8E did not pass the diskless diagnostic...
My eBay set I repaired a while back still passes, so that's good.
I then powered up the RK05 and let it filter some air for a while. It eventually became ready and had some activity, though I was never able to read a directory from my 8/M. Not yet sure if I have another issue, or if the disk is simply corrupt.