FW: DecTape & LincTape.

Yes even on the pdp8 DECtape marks are 6 bits (6 lines) although a 12 bit word only takes 4 lines (12 / 3). The mark tracks however are only used while seeking (positioning tape) and with the td8e controller they are checked on every SLF (single line flag) event. While reading data the software only checks for QLF (quad line flag) events. Although I reengineered it for my td8e simulator Bob Supnik now has the better documentation in the simh sources. There is an old thread about the same subject (back in 2003?) where Al states that the LINCtape and DECtape drives are physically the same. And I believe to remember that some guys used DECtapes on pdp8s to read and write LINCtapes - never done it myself. Gerold (pdp8.de) Paul Koning wrote: