On Fri, Aug 21, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Ali <cct...@fahimi.net> wrote: > Hello All, > > Recently I came across a complete Pertec interface (card, manual, software, > and, cables) thanks to list-member Shaun. Of course what is the point of > having an interface if you have nothing to interface it to!
> Of course the biggest problem is finding one locally in the LA area. > Unfortunately my only resource is eBay and prices there are definitely not > hobbyist friendly (not to mention shipping). If anyone has a line on a > working drive in the LA area (to save on S&H and avoid the dangers of > shipping) or a reasonably priced one elsewhere I'd appreciate it. TIA for > any help. I have had good results with Fujitsu M2444AC Pertec interface 9-track 1/2-inch tape drives. I have an ISA bus Computer Logics PCTD-16 Pertec interface card which I can connect to the drive to read and write tapes from a PC, and various Q-Bus Pertec interface cards which I have used to install software from tape on PDP-11 systems (just for the exercise of doing it a few times). http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/fujitsu/B03P-5325-0100A_02B_M244X_Series_Streaming_Tape_Drive_CE_Manual_May89.pdf They weigh around 200 pounds so definitely something you want to find within driving distance instead of shipping. They are manual loading, which is a plus to me as automatic loaders just have more things to fail. Here is an example of some that were listed on eBay for a while and went unsold possibly within driving distance of you: http://www.ebay.com/itm/191640198181?&orig_cvip=true I wouldn't want to pay the $310 that was asked for in that listing. I got one for free in a rack with some other Sun gear (which I later gave away for free) and a couple others that were $100 or less for local pickup. -Glen
