Jerome Fine replies: Of course, IF you want to use the TK50-GA as a backup/exchange device for use with a PDP-11 emulator on the PC system, that is another matter. However, I suggest that you consider reason: 4) The TK50 drive (used in both a TK50-GA and it is the TK50-AA) is probably the slowest tape drive around (unless you include the TU-58). As an exchange media for off-site use less than a few times a year and for very small volumes of data (less than 100 MBytes - even a single Zip cartridge can hold 100 MBytes and is MUCH faster) AND for older software systems like the PDP-11 and even a uVAX II, the TK50-GA might be considered reasonable. However, when used for backup purposes more than a few times a year, I doubt that many people would consider it a reasonable solution. While the tape WRITE speed might be just barely sufficient if the software can keep the drive streaming, if you ever attempt to do a VERIFY (generally useful to be sure that the tape can be read back - otherwise, depending on a backup is questionable), you may find that is takes too long. I did just once and quit before it was even half finished. I also gave up on using the TK50 as a backup drive even with a PDP-11 under RT-11. Sincerely yours, Jerome Fine