> > thanks a lot for your hint to the DEC controller. I wasn't aware that the > TM11, TMA11 and TMB11 controllers can handle 9-track as well as 7-track > NRZI-encoded tape drives. However, all these controllers seem to be very > rare in the public out there. Not too surprising considering that DEC TU > and TS tape drives themselves are rare and that 7-track tape drives were > soon replaced by 9-track tape technology in the early days. > > With best regards, > Pierre >
The TC58 Magnetic Tape Controller for the PDP-8 and the TC59 for the PDP-9 can be connected to both 7-track and 9-track drives. The TU20 drive on the PDP-9 at the RICM is a 7-track drive. The only difference between the 7-track and 9-track versions of the TU20 is the tape head. All of the tape drive electronics is the same for both versions. -- Michael Thompson
