RA60 Disk Drive - Revision history

Jnc: Found RA60 User Guide at VAXHaven; Manx mirror of HCPS is gone

2026-10-11T21:01:25Z

Found RA60 User Guide at VAXHaven; Manx mirror of HCPS is gone

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:01, 11 October 2026
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	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

	* ''RA60 Disk Drive User Guide'' (EK-0RA60-UG-001 - not available online)
	* ''RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual'' (EK-0RA60-SV-002 - not available online)		* ''RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual'' (EK-0RA60-SV-002 - not available online)

	==External links==		==External links==

	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/ ra60] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]
	** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l
	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA60-205MB-RemovableMediaDiskDrive.pdf RA60 205-Mbyte Removable-Media Disk Drive] - brochure		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA60-205MB-RemovableMediaDiskDrive.pdf RA60 205-Mbyte Removable-Media Disk Drive] - brochure
	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/brochure/RA60_RA80_And_RA81_Disk_Drives_Brochure_Aug82.pdf The RA60, RA80 and RA81 Disk Drives and The Digital Storage Architecture] - another brochure		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/brochure/RA60_RA80_And_RA81_Disk_Drives_Brochure_Aug82.pdf The RA60, RA80 and RA81 Disk Drives and The Digital Storage Architecture] - another brochure
	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA-FamilyOfWinchesterDiskDrives.pdf RA Family Of Winchester Disk Drives] - and one more		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA-FamilyOfWinchesterDiskDrives.pdf RA Family Of Winchester Disk Drives] - and one more
	* [~~https~~://~~manx~~-~~docs~~.org/~~collections~~/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/ ra60] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]
			** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l
			* [http://www.vaxhaven.com/images/2/26/EK-0RA60-UG-001.pdf RA60 Disk Drive User Guide] (EK-0RA60-UG-001)
			* [https://vt100.net/mirror/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)
	* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]		* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]

	[[Category: SDI Disk Drives]]		[[Category: SDI Disk Drives]]
	[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]		[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]

Jnc: New sub-cat

2023-08-31T08:36:12Z

New sub-cat

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:36, 31 August 2023
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	* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]		* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]

	[[Category: ~~MSCP~~ Disk Drives]]		[[Category: SDI Disk Drives]]
	[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]		[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]

Jnc: Not really a Winchester drive

2023-08-18T20:37:56Z

Not really a Winchester drive

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 18 August 2023
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	''The RA60 is the industry's highest capacity and lowest price-per-megabyte rack mounted, removable media disk. With 205 megabytes of user formatted capacity, 615 megabytes are available in a 42-inch high cabinet - 50% more than any other removable media product. The RA60 provides 205 megabytes of removable media flexibility for $15,000.''		''The RA60 is the industry's highest capacity and lowest price-per-megabyte rack mounted, removable media disk. With 205 megabytes of user formatted capacity, 615 megabytes are available in a 42-inch high cabinet - 50% more than any other removable media product. The RA60 provides 205 megabytes of removable media flexibility for $15,000.''

			Some DEC marketing material refers to the RA60 as a 'Winchester' drive; strictly speaking, this is not completely accurate. It does use some aspects of Winchester drives, such as the use of pre-recorded servo information, but it does not have a sealed HDA, which many regard as the key innovation in Winchester drives.

	==4.3 BSD disktab==		==4.3 BSD disktab==
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	** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l		** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l
	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA60-205MB-RemovableMediaDiskDrive.pdf RA60 205-Mbyte Removable-Media Disk Drive] - brochure		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA60-205MB-RemovableMediaDiskDrive.pdf RA60 205-Mbyte Removable-Media Disk Drive] - brochure
			* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/brochure/RA60_RA80_And_RA81_Disk_Drives_Brochure_Aug82.pdf The RA60, RA80 and RA81 Disk Drives and The Digital Storage Architecture] - another brochure
			* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA-FamilyOfWinchesterDiskDrives.pdf RA Family Of Winchester Disk Drives] - and one more
	* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)		* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)
	* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]		* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]

Jnc: In DSA family; add 16/18 capability, many stats

2023-08-18T15:05:00Z

In DSA family; add 16/18 capability, many stats

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:05, 18 August 2023
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	\| year introduced = June, 1982		\| year introduced = June, 1982
	\| controller = [[Standard Disk Interconnect#SDI Family of DSA Products\|all SDI controllers]]		\| controller = [[Standard Disk Interconnect#SDI Family of DSA Products\|all SDI controllers]]
	\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (formatted)		\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (16-bit mode, formatted)<br>208 Mbytes (18-bit mode, formatted)
	\| transfer rate = 1.3 Mbytes/sec		\| transfer rate = 1.3 Mbytes/sec
	\| average access time = 50 msec		\| average access time = 50.3 msec
	\| rpm = 3600 ~~1/min~~		\| rpm = 3600
			\| revolution time = 8.3 msec
	\| one track seek = 6.7 msec		\| one track seek = 6.7 msec
	\| average seek = 41.7 msec		\| average seek = 41.7 msec
			\| maximum seek = 75 msec
			\| surfaces = 6
			\| number of heads = 6
			\| tracks = 1,588
			\| sectors = 38 (18-bit word mode)<br>42 (16-bit word mode)
			\| bytes per sector = 512 (16-bit word mode)<br>576 (16-bit word mode)
			\| tracks per inch = 779
			\| density = 9,668
			\| start time = 60 secs (max)
			\| stop time = 40 secs (max)
			\| physical size = 26cm x 44cm x 85cm
			\| weight = 155 lbs (approx)
			\| power consumption = 780 watts
	}}		}}

	[[Image:open ra60.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|An open RA60]]		[[Image:open ra60.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|An open RA60]]

	The '''RA60 Disk Drive''' is a [[Digital Equipment Corporation\|DEC]] [[Standard Disk Interconnect\|SDI]] [[removable-pack disk]] drive, introduced in 1982. It is the only removable-~~pack~~ drive in the RAxx group of drives; the others ([[RA70]], etc) are all [[non-removable-media disk]] drives.		The '''RA60 Disk Drive''' is a [[Digital Equipment Corporation\|DEC]] [[Standard Disk Interconnect\|SDI]] [[removable-pack disk]] drive, introduced in 1982; it could support either 16- or 18-bit words. It is the only removable-media drive in the RAxx group of drives; the others ([[RA70]], etc) are all [[non-removable-media disk]] drives. It is member of the [[Digital Storage Architecture]] family.

	It uses the RA60-P [[pack]], which has a five platters, with six data surfaces; the two end platters are purely protective. Track servo information is pre-recorded on the data surfaces; the servo information is recorded at manufacturing time.		It uses the RA60-P [[pack]], which has a five platters, with six data surfaces; the two end platters are purely protective. Track servo information is pre-recorded on the data surfaces; the servo information is recorded at manufacturing time.
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	:ph#268772:bh#4096:fh#1024:		:ph#268772:bh#4096:fh#1024:
	</pre>		</pre>

	~~{{semi-stub}}~~

	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

Jnc: /* External links */ +brochure

2023-08-18T14:42:06Z

External links: +brochure

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 18 August 2023
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	* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/ ra60] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]		* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/ ra60] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]
	** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l		** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l
			* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-RA60-205MB-RemovableMediaDiskDrive.pdf RA60 205-Mbyte Removable-Media Disk Drive] - brochure
	* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)		* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)
	* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]		* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]

Jnc: +month

2023-08-18T14:30:21Z

+month

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 18 August 2023
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	\| name = RA60		\| name = RA60
	\| manufacturer = [[Digital Equipment Corporation]]		\| manufacturer = [[Digital Equipment Corporation]]
	\| year introduced = 1982		\| year introduced = June, 1982
	\| controller = [[Standard Disk Interconnect#SDI Family of DSA Products\|all SDI controllers]]		\| controller = [[Standard Disk Interconnect#SDI Family of DSA Products\|all SDI controllers]]
	\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (formatted)		\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (formatted)

Jnc: /* External links */ +DEC RA60 disk drives - CHM

2023-08-16T21:00:02Z

External links: +DEC RA60 disk drives - CHM

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:00, 16 August 2023
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	** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l		** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l
	* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)		* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)
			* [https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733609 DEC RA60 disk drives]

	[[Category: MSCP Disk Drives]]		[[Category: MSCP Disk Drives]]
	[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]		[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]

Jnc: Jnc moved page RA60 to RA60 Disk Drive: Formal DEC name

2023-08-16T00:53:21Z

Jnc moved page RA60 to RA60 Disk Drive: Formal DEC name

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:53, 16 August 2023
(No difference)

Jnc: Add some more details; manuals

2023-08-16T00:52:58Z

Add some more details; manuals

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:52, 16 August 2023
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	\| manufacturer = [[Digital Equipment Corporation]]		\| manufacturer = [[Digital Equipment Corporation]]
	\| year introduced = 1982		\| year introduced = 1982
	\| controller = [[Standard Disk Interconnect#SDI Family of DSA Products\|all SDI controllers]]\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (formatted)		\| controller = [[Standard Disk Interconnect#SDI Family of DSA Products\|all SDI controllers]]
			\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (formatted)
	\| transfer rate = 1.3 Mbytes/sec		\| transfer rate = 1.3 Mbytes/sec
	\| average access time = 50 msec		\| average access time = 50 msec
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	}}		}}

	~~Citation from the combined DEC~~ RA60~~/RA80/RA81 1982 sales brochure:~~		[[Image:open ra60.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|An open RA60]]

	''RA60 Disk - ~~The Removable Media Solution <br>The RA60~~ is the ~~industry's highest capacity and lowest price~~-~~per-megabyte rack mounted, removable media disk. With 205 megabytes~~ of ~~user formatted capacity~~, ~~615 megabytes~~ are ~~available in a 42~~-~~inch high cabinet~~ - ~~50% more than any other removable~~ media ~~product. The RA60 provides 205 megabytes of removable media flexibility for $15,000~~.''		The '''RA60 Disk Drive''' is a [[Digital Equipment Corporation\|DEC]] [[Standard Disk Interconnect\|SDI]] [[removable-pack disk]] drive, introduced in 1982. It is the only removable-pack drive in the RAxx group of drives; the others ([[RA70]], etc) are all [[non-removable-media disk]] drives.

	[[~~Image:open ra60.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|An open RA60~~]]		It uses the RA60-P [[pack]], which has a five platters, with six data surfaces; the two end platters are purely protective. Track servo information is pre-recorded on the data surfaces; the servo information is recorded at manufacturing time.

	= 4.3 BSD disktab =		The RA60 can also be connected in a dual-[[hardware port\|port]] arrangement, permitting its use by two [[device controller\|controllers]].

			Quote from the combined DEC RA60/RA80/RA81 1982 sales brochure:

			''The RA60 is the industry's highest capacity and lowest price-per-megabyte rack mounted, removable media disk. With 205 megabytes of user formatted capacity, 615 megabytes are available in a 42-inch high cabinet - 50% more than any other removable media product. The RA60 provides 205 megabytes of removable media flexibility for $15,000.''

			==4.3 BSD disktab==
	<pre>		<pre>
	ra60\|RA60\|DEC RA60 Removable:\		ra60\|RA60\|DEC RA60 Removable:\
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	:ph#268772:bh#4096:fh#1024:		:ph#268772:bh#4096:fh#1024:
	</pre>		</pre>

			{{semi-stub}}

			==Further reading==

			* ''RA60 Disk Drive User Guide'' (EK-0RA60-UG-001 - not available online)
			* ''RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual'' (EK-0RA60-SV-002 - not available online)

			==External links==

			* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/ ra60] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]
			** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/disc/ra60/EK-0RA60-SV-001_May83.pdf RA60 Disk Drive Service Manual] (EK-0RA60-SV-001l
			* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/hcps/m880btc.pdf RA60 Maintenance Guide] (AA-M88OB-TC)

	[[Category: MSCP Disk Drives]]		[[Category: MSCP Disk Drives]]
	[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]		[[Category: DEC Removable-pack Disks]]

Vaxorcist: Changed link to SDI controllers, and added citation

2023-08-15T06:38:01Z

Changed link to SDI controllers, and added citation

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:38, 15 August 2023
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	\| manufacturer = [[Digital Equipment Corporation]]		\| manufacturer = [[Digital Equipment Corporation]]
	\| year introduced = 1982		\| year introduced = 1982
	\| controller = ~~all~~ [[SDI controllers]]		\| controller = [[Standard Disk Interconnect#SDI Family of DSA Products\|all SDI controllers]]\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (formatted)
	\| capacity = 205 Mbytes (formatted)
	\| transfer rate = 1.3 Mbytes/sec		\| transfer rate = 1.3 Mbytes/sec
	\| average access time = 50 msec		\| average access time = 50 msec
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	\| average seek = 41.7 msec		\| average seek = 41.7 msec
	}}		}}

			Citation from the combined DEC RA60/RA80/RA81 1982 sales brochure:

			''RA60 Disk - The Removable Media Solution <br>The RA60 is the industry's highest capacity and lowest price-per-megabyte rack mounted, removable media disk. With 205 megabytes of user formatted capacity, 615 megabytes are available in a 42-inch high cabinet - 50% more than any other removable media product. The RA60 provides 205 megabytes of removable media flexibility for $15,000.''

	[[Image:open ra60.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|An open RA60]]		[[Image:open ra60.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|An open RA60]]

	~~It's a removable disk.~~

	= 4.3 BSD disktab =		= 4.3 BSD disktab =