TU79
TU79 was the name used for two entirely different magnetic tape drives from DEC: one from the late 1960's, and one from the late 1980's.
Early TU79
Very little is known of this one: it operated at "75 in/s [tape motion rate] with a maximum transfer rate of 60 kc". It could be configured with either 7-track or 9-track head. It could be used on either that PDP-9 (with the TC59 Tape Control Unit), or the PDP-10 (with the TM10 Magnetic Tape Control).
Later TU79
The later TU79 seems to be a TU78 with minor changes. Although one rumour had it that the changes were mostly cosmetic, a DEC sales brochure maintained that "Re-designed read/write electronics dramatically reduce the .. soft error rate ... These changes also improve the drive's ability to read tapes of marginal quality ... Mechanical changes (re-designed card cage, improved door, and a new power supply) .. enhance the drive's reliability, reduce the need for Field Service adjustments".
The TU79 is configured to have a TM78 Magnetic Tape Formatter, to interface to a MASSBUS.
Further reading
Later TU79
- TA79, TU79 Magnetic Tape Subsystem Service Manual (EK-OTA79-SV)
- TA79, TU79 Magnetic Tape Subsystem Installation Manual (EK-OTA79-IN)
- TA79, TU79 Magnetic Tape Subsystem Owner's Manual (EK-OTA79-OM)
None online
External links
Early TU79
- TC-59 Magnetic Tape Control Instruction Manual - mentioned on pg. 1-1 (pg. 8 of the PDF)
- TM10 Magnetic Tape Control Maintenance Manual (DEC-10-I4AA-D) - mentioned very briefly on pg. 1-1 (pg. 8 of the PDF)
- TU79 magnetic tape drive - catalog entry for publicity photos, April 1969
Later TU79
- TA79, TU79, TA78, TU78 Magnetic Tape Subsystem Technical Manual (EK-OTA79-TM-001)
- TA79 and TA81 Magnetic Tape Subsystems - sales brochure; covers the TU79 also
