Navy Automated Morse Code (CW) Equipment
Electronic Teletype-Morse Systems
In the 1960's-70's there were automatic Baudot-Morse and Morse-Baudot converters
Paper Tape High-Speed Morse Systems
At shore transmitting stations, Morse code messages could be punched onto
paper tape and then sent
via a CW or FSK keyer which controlled the transmitters. Normal manual shore-ship transmission was
around 20 wpm, but high speed links between shore stations could run up to 400 wpm.
See below for transmitting tape perforators and keyers.
At the receiving end of a high-speed link, Morse was recorded in ink onto a paper tape - the tape could be read by Radiomen who
printed the messages using a typewriter (mill).
Code recorders were also used for
intercept work:
Info from Arthur Adolphsen, USASA - "In 1956-8 we used the RD-112
recorders. The radio racks, 50 in each room, contained two SP-600 receivers, later changed to
R-390's. They were connected to one FSK converter, which aligned the signals, symmetrical and volume, with
Operator's help. We could adjust the length of dots/dashes with a speed wheel or reverse the signal with a switch when it went up side down on the
RD-112, from the FSK converter then to the RD-112. We scanned and read the tape by eye/hand, cutting the desired message for later translating via Royal or Underwood machines with a tape puller motor to the left of the typewriters.
We had a large antenna field, and could connect and change direction by a large board with cable plugs,
looked like a Telephone switch board, only no switches, just plugs and wires, as one radio lost
its signal we could find another antenna (direction or orientation). Seemed as though the inverted V's worked the best for most
every frequency. Was easy to chase the signals with the plug system.
Most of the Automatic operators could read and type the code on the tapes very fast, most around 50 or 60
wpm. We became able to type very fast by the end of our tour. The paper from the tape, after going through the ink pen just piled up on the floor, some of the messages were very short, only a foot or so of paper, and some went on for many hours, maybe a day or so, we had to make sure the tape roll was full, and the ink bottle was full and as good a signal as possible."
MX-1365/U (Boehme 8-F Type B) Tape Puller
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Code Recorders
RD-110/U Paper Tape Code Recorder - Before Restoration
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Tape feeder tray missing from lower right. Ink reservoir upper center.
Solenoid
controlled inker below it.
Tape
capstan at upper left. |
As found - just a wee bit dirty |
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Tape capstan at upper left |
Ink reservoir |
Solenoid controlled inker |
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Capstan motor showing variable diameter shaft for speed control |
Capstan
motor showing variable diameter shaft for speed control |
center - inker solenoid
right - capstan motor |
inker solenoid |
Restoration - - I am missing some piece that guides the
paper tape past the pen - please send
me e-mail with any info or photos of this unit
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Good Navy paint beneath the grime |
Ah that looks better |
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Capstan and pinch roller |
Green points to pen tip
Magenta - pen motion
Blue - tape path?
Yellow - missing piece? roller? |
Better shot of pen tip between adjustable stops. |
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I have got the pen and capstan motor working, but am missing some
piece that guides the paper tape past the pen - please send
me e-mail with any info or photos of this unit - need NAVSHIPS 91862 manual
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RD-60/U Code Signal Recorder
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Need better photo
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Manf by Mecanitron
(Model MA-126E)
1947
Spec Sheet |
RD-112A/U Code Tape Recorder
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Manf by McElroy - 1954
NAVSHIPS 63346
Operating Info |
Transmitting Keyers
Paper tapes were created using a Wheatstone perforator (2-level code) and then
played through a keyer for transmission at up to 400wpm.
