No, it's 5 bit tape. 2 data bits, transport sprocket holes, 3 data bits -- top
to bottom on the reader (right side), left to right on the punch (left side).
DEC PDP-10 systems used six bit code internally but I don't remember those
appearing on punched tape. The punched tape machines I have seen with 6
channels are typesetting devices, from early tape operated Linotype machines
(1940s vintage) to 1960s or 1970s era phototypesetters. Those are upper/lower
case.
paul
> On Dec 8, 2021, at 2:23 PM, Mike Katz <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> I thought I had recalled that Baudot was 5 bits but the paper tape is 6 bits
> across and I don't know of any 6 bit character codes except for DECs upper
> case only character set and even their paper tape had 8 bits so I guessed
> Baudot.
>
> On 12/8/2021 1:16 PM, Paul Koning wrote:
>> 5 bit; if it really were 6 bits it would typically be typesetting codes.
>>
>> That's a relative of the machine used as console terminal on Dutch
>> Electrologica X8 computers; I recognize the "Iron cross" symbol, the figures
>> shift character on the D key. But some of the other function codes have
>> different labels so it isn't actually the same model.
>>
>> The description I have says that the X8 console used CCITT-2, a.k.a.,
>> Baudot, code but with the bit order reversed. And also that it used the
>> all-zeroes code as a printable character rather than as non-printing fill.
>>
>> paul
