Should I add a "Micro" PDP11/73 to the Herd?

From: Douglas Quebbeman <dhquebbeman_at_theestopinalgroup.com>
Date: Fri Jun 23 08:18:13 2000

> On Thu, 22 Jun 2000, Jerome Fine wrote:
> > Since you are local and will not have to pay shipping, you
> > have a huge advantage when it comes to anyone else.
> > BUT, you will need to have a van or a small truck. And
>
> Also, it can all be moved in two trips with a mid-sized station-wagon
> (e.g. - a Gran Torino)... well, possibly one if you really squeezed
> the stuff in there.

Well, right now, it's not for certain I'll get it, since John Allain
is bidding against me. Hi, John... are you local to Louisville area?

I'll be using a pickup truck, and it's a single 42 inch high cabinet,
so I think that'll be sufficient.
 
> If it's at all windy, or even a little breezy, be careful with those
> rack side panels, as they can go flying into something rather easily.

Would it be feasible to remove the skins and set it on its side (on
a quilt)?
 
> > bring some tools so that you can separate the components.
>
..snip..
>
> Note: ask for any tapes, documentation, etc. as soon as possible, not
> another trip, if possible, as such things tend to get lost or tossed
> out quickly after the system goes away or gets unplugged.

The system is in the hands of a sort-of-collector, not at its original
installed site. The photo shows a bookcase of what appear to be manuals,
but he may intend to sell them separately. I'll ask, tho, to be sure.

> > You will find it much easier if you only need to lift one item at a
> > time rather than the whole cabinet. Note that the tape drive alone
> > can be about 100 lb. Two people can usually handle that easily.
>
> Several years ago, I disassembled, moved, and reassembled an entire
> 11/73 rack myself, including the TS05 tape drive, expansion chasis,
> two 8" SMD drives, etc. Just be careful to lift with the knees and
> not the back. Of course, it would be a lot easier with two people,
> and much more pleasant a task with the temperatures in the 50s. :-)

Hah, it will likely be in the high 80s or low 90s if I get the dang
thing. Fortunately, the truck is being driven by a farm boy, so he's
used to lifting that bale, toting that barge...

> > If it is working or you can fix it yourself, that will be a great find
> > IF ou have an opportunity to actually use the drive, and especially
> > if you need it.
>
> Most definitely! :-)

I'll at least be transferring the plexiglass tape drive window
to the Cipher I have for the Prime. BTW, I asked the seller to
check the rear plate of the TS05, thinking it *is* a Cipher F880
and he came back and said it has only a TS05 ID plate.

The front bezel is *identical* to the F880 streamer. Do you know
yea/nay on this?

-dq
 
Received on Fri Jun 23 2000 - 08:18:13 BST