FW: [GreenKeys] DURA Selectric ASR terminals free

[Mike Stein]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Malikoff via cctalk" <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
To: "Jon Elson" <elson at pico-systems.com>; "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Cc: <general at ezwind.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2019 9:15 PM
Subject: Re: FW: [GreenKeys] DURA Selectric ASR terminals free


>> On 12/15/2019 01:19 AM, Dave Wade via cctalk wrote:
>>> I wonder if there is any interest here...
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net <greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of John Lawson
>>> Sent: 10 December 2019 17:41
>>> To: greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
>>> Subject: [GreenKeys] DURA Selectric ASR terminals free
>>>
>>>
>>> Greetings List!
>>>
>>> I have a couple of "DURA" Selectric ASR terminals.  I also have some limited documentation on them. Neither of them work as far as I know. I tried to run the one in the pic when I first got it, but it's jammed - so on the shelf it went.
>>>
>>> They appear to be an 8-level code, dunno if ASCII, EBCDIC, or what.
>> The punched tape is EIA, I think.  There are diode matrices
>> to convert to the internal Selectric code of rotation and
>> tilt of the ball.  I had one of these hooked to a CP/M
>> system back around 1980, I used it exclusively as a printer.
>>
>> I could likely dig out some code that sent the data to
>> them.  A quick look did not turn up the interface.
>> I seem to recall it had some pretty weird logic levels, PNP
>> Germanium transistors, etc.
>>
>> It is possible to trip too many solenoids at one time and
>> command the rotate or tilt summing levers to exceed the
>> limits of the ball.  That will break bands on the carriage.
>> I had no problem getting replacement parts when I had that
>> happen on mine.  Not too sure Selectric parts are available
>> anymore.
>>
>> Jon
>>
>>
>>> These are joining the ever-expanding list of "Projects Never to be Completed", so if anyone is interested, lemme know.
>>>
>>> They are free, you pay shipping, they are about 50 pounds each and will require some thoughtful packing.
>>>
>>> Local pickup is happily offered, and I could possibly be bribed into delivering them within a day's drive of Carson City (weather permitting).
>>>
>>>
>>> Cheers
>>>
>>> John KB6SCO
>>>
>>> Carson City
> 
> Interfacing the Dura 1041 is very well covered in the book 'THE SELECTRIC INTERFACE A Hands-on Approach' by George Young.
> There are whole chapters on the Dura 1041 printer, encoding the Dura eyboard, interfacting the punch, tape reader and more.
> 
> Steve.

I've got a copy of that book somewhere in case anyone's interested.

m