In the past I have participated in threads here about the DEC-modified
version of the ASR 33 Teletype, and the role of the Reader Run relay card
(part number 4915) for loading papertapes. I wanted to report that I have
been able to load BASIC from papertape using a stock ASR 33 on a PDP 11/05
without the presence of the reader run card installed. I did have to hit
START on the teletype to load the tape at the right time, but otherwise it
works just fine. I assume that the load does not require a lot of starts
and stops and therefore no need for the reader run. You don't know unless
you try, so now I know. I was also happy to find that BASIC remains in
core memory, ready to run from 000000 on my 8K system the next day, without
having to re-load the papertapes (abs loader and BASIC).
I have not yet saved and re-loaded a BASIC program but I hope that'll work
without the reader run. I would assume however that I'd need the reader
run for more complex operations like assembling programs. I have another
UCC-6 with the beginnings of a homebrew reader run that I need to complete.
If anyone has an actual 4915 for sale, I'd be interested.
Bill