Dec RA60 Drives and HSC40 Controller... worth rescuing?

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Wed Jul 23 19:08:01 2003

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Thompson" <thompson_at_new.rr.com>
To: <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 11:59 AM
Subject: Re: Dec RA60 Drives and HSC40 Controller... worth rescuing?


> On Tue, 22 Jul 2003, Corda Albert J DLVA wrote:
>
> > Hey guys,
> >
> > I just ran across a couple of DEC RA60 (removable pack) drives
> > and a HSC40 controller at a local dealer. They know _nothing_
> > about this stuff, save that it's _heavy_.
> >
> > Normally, I would not hesitate, but my collection is starting
> > to get out of hand, and I have to start limiting myself...eventually ;-)
>
> If this is the case, now might be the time to start limiting yourself.
> The HSC would need its bootable media, probably CRONIC on 5.25" floppies.

CRONIC for sure. On a HSC40 or 50 the boot media would be a DEC tape, can't remember
the model, have a '50 or two with them. The floppy bootable versions started with the HSC70.
I have boot media for the HSC50 not sure if it's compatible with the HSC40 though.
Someone here (Antonio Carlini?) will know.
 
> You would need a CI card, cables and star coupler. (You did not say if
> you have these already)

Certainly need them.
 
> The RA60's are small capacity power eaters. You're probably better
> watching for a HSJx0 on ebay and running your cluster via scsi.

Basically a PDP-11 dedicated as a disk controller, ~500w.
Have yet to see an affordable HSJ anywhere, but if you can get one that would be
a lot simpler to keep in drives and a lot cheaper to run


Geoff in Oz
Received on Wed Jul 23 2003 - 19:08:01 BST