DECtape reliability?

[Al Kossow]

On 11/12/15 7:27 AM, Jon Elson wrote:

> LINCtape is essentially identical to DECtape.  I think the directory
> format is different, but I think the block format is the same.  I think
> the tapes are wound in reverse order and the order of increasing block
> numbers is reversed.
>

Actually the block format is different. "Obverse Compliment" encoding 
was created for DECtape. LINCtape blocks aren't bidirectional.

The actual spec for the 3M tape can be found at
http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/dectape/3M_DECtape_Spec_nov66.pdf
The protective overlay is .04 mils.