WTD: 9 track open reel for PDP-11

[Glen Slick]

On Thu, Dec 27, 2018 at 9:17 AM W2HX via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
> I've been building up a nice little PDP-11/23+ with cabinets, RL02's etc. To really round things off, I'm looking for a open reel-to-reel style 9-track tape drive to add to the system (don't ask why, punishment must be somewhere in my nature).  Not interested in the autoloading/drawer type drives.
>
> There are some fujitsu drives on ebay at the moment, but shipping from CA to NY is both costly and risky.
>
> Does anyone have a (preferably working) 9-track drive that can be used with a PDP-11 (like a pertec interface) for sale? Willing to drive anywhere from Philly to Boston for one.
>

If you can find a Fujitsu M2444AC within driving distance that is a
good option. The cache buffer in the drive can prevent a lot of
start/stop action with a slower host. I have used one to install
2.11BSD and RSTS/E 10.1 on PDP-11 systems with Pertec controller
boards. But at somewhere around 200 pounds they are not something you
want to ship.