On 1/27/14 2:57 PM, "Mark J. Blair" <nf6x at nf6x.net> wrote:
The thread on using two RL02 drives with OS8 made me
think about this,
but I didn't want to confuse that thread with my tangential topic.
Is there any difference in RL02 drives and/or disk packs for PDP-8
systems vs. PDP-11 systems (other than the obviously different controller
cards for OMNIBUS/UNIBUS/etc.)? If so, how do I evaluate and identify the
specialized bits and pieces?
I ask this because I have a few RL02 drives waiting for my PDP-11/44
project, as well as a pile of RL02 disk packs. If there are differences
for PDP-8 vs. PDP-11 applications, i.e. due to different word sizes, then
I'll need to keep my eyes open for mismatched parts in my pile.
Conversely, if and when I get a PDP-8 system with an RL02 controller
card, I'll wonder whether I can use any of the pieces I already have.
I seem to recall reading in recent months about some DEC drive and/or
disk pack that would have different hard sector notches or some such
thing for PDP-8 vs. PDP-11 applications, but I don't recall which type of
drive it was.
--
Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net>
http://www.nf6x.net/
RK05 drives are hard-sectored, as you mention. RL02s are not, and the
same packs will work on either. The only hard constraint is RL01 vs. RL02
- you can't use an RL02 pack in an RL01 or vice versa. -- Ian K7PDP