1 May
2023
1 May
'23
10:31 a.m.
On May 1, 2023, at 09:20, W2HX via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Ok thanks guys. Here is a better picture of the inside cover
https://w2hx.com/x/VintageComp/Platter-Device/insidecover.jpg
I would love to find a manual to this. There are lots of extra bits stored inside a
compartment. But I am not near the unit at this time.
Anyone have any idea about where to find documentation? Or even what the name/model of
the product might be for googling?
73 Eugene W2HX
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-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Koning via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 8:33 AM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Cc: Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks(a)gmail.com>om>; Paul Koning
<paulkoning(a)comcast.net>
Subject: [cctalk] Re: DEC RL device
Runout was often checked in the field ( at least for my RM05 disk packs) by a
professional disk pack service using a dial gauge to see if any platters had warped. Don’t
know about Rl or Rk devices as i didn’t have any.
On Apr 30, 2023, at 10:27 PM, Ethan Dicks via
cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
It would be nice to get a non-blurry photo of the instruction plate. It does seem to say
that it's both a cleaner and an inspection device. The inspection part includes
mirrors to let you view the platter surfaces (look for scratch marks) as you rotate the
pack slowly by hand.
Yes, cleaning for packs of that vintage is fairly simple, a lint-free pad like Texwipe,
isopropyl alcohol as the cleaning solvent. High purity would be good; 70% "rubbing
alcohol" from the corner drugstore is not the best option. :-)
I can't quite figure out what the "runout" thing is. Runout seems like a
factory parameter, not something you'd check in the field. Or might it mean vertical
distortion (warping) of the platter? That's not the normal meaning. I have seen bent
platters, but I'm not sure how you'd get runout in the normal sense of the word
even if a pack were dropped fairly hard. (The bent platter I remember was on an RP04 pack
that was shipped to me for a customer on-site support call; it was packaged badly by so
the pack cover was banged which in turn pushed against the bottom platter and bent it
upward. Oops.)
On Sun, Apr 30, 2023 at 8:47 PM W2HX via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Can anyone tell me what I picked up at a NH hamfest this weekend for $20? I see it says
RL01/RL02. I have two RL02 drives and some platters. None of which I have gotten around to
trying. Other than a copious amount of pine needles, what can this be used for? Or maybe
the right question is, should I not use it for fear of destroying an RL platter?
https://w2hx.com/?prefix=x/VintageComp/Platter-Device/
Wow! Pretty neat - looks like a pack inspector for RK05, RL01/02, and
RK06/07 based on the (blurry) instructions. Runout, at least, and
certainly a few other measurements - would probably identify a pack
that had been dropped hard enough to bend something (before you stuff
it in a drive and ruin both).
It doesn't look like a cleaner - I've seen an RK05 cleaner and it's a
bit different - more about running a Texpad over the surface while
slowly rotating than measuring anything.
Cool find!
paul