Real tape drive densities [was RE: Oregon Pascal tape found]

operation. That's an E. 9-track NRZI at 800bpi). Interesting. So what model do you think he has? For example, from the manual you listed, I see only two E models that can do dual 7/9 track with all the lower speeds he has, the 7970E -164 and the -165 (a master and a slave). But both of them are Read Only (because of the dual 7/9 track read head needed, I suspect they did not have the space to put a double write head too). This conflicts with his tape lacking a 1600 density button, and having a Write Enable light. The latter strongly suggests it is a Read after Write tape, not a Read Only one. That's why I thought he had a 7970A or a 7970B (-136), that can read and write 200, 556 and 800 NRZI. This would match all the front panel buttons we see. However it looks like the 200/500/800 NRZI were only made in 7-track guise. This conflicts with Christian saying his tape is a 9 track. So I cannot find a model match for both what I see and what is said about it. Christian, it would be nice to have a picture with the door closed and confirm the model letter. If such a model exists (dual 7/9 track dual read/write and dual NRZI/PE), I'd like to know which one it is (and get one ;-) ). Marc