Since so many audio tape players and computer magtape units were made it would stand to reason that there has to be a stash somewhere of tape heads and it’s just a matter of finding where they are. Are there any part numbers on the dectape heads?
Sent from my iPhone > On Feb 7, 2022, at 22:56, Gary Oliver via cctech <cctech@classiccmp.org> > wrote: > > On 2/7/22 12:48, Marc Howard via cctech wrote: >> The problem would be the non-standard track size and number of tracks. >> However if at least one of the head's paired tracks is good you could >> potentially cut the drive current in half and double the read amplitude and >> just use one track for the affected channel. >> >> Marc >> >>> On Mon, Feb 7, 2022 at 12:33 PM Wayne S via cctech <cctech@classiccmp.org> >>> wrote: >>> >>> I’ve often wondered if the tape heads from consumer tape devices such as >>> cassette or 4-8 track tape players could be used or be made to be used as >>> replacements. Anybody ever try that? >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On Feb 7, 2022, at 11:51, Michael Thompson via cctech < >>> cctech@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > Further, the DECTape had various track-to-track spacing. Between the the > Mark track and the first data track on both edges, the spacing is at a little > less than twice that between the mark and timing tracks or between each set > of data tracks. Put a different way, the track spacing is: > > T.M..D.D.D.D.D.D..M.T > > The magnetic poles of each head is roughly 1mm wide with about .8 mm spacing > heads The '..' in the above means there is about 1.4mm spacing (between 'M > and D' and 'D and M', for example - the measurements are crude, so I could be > off 20% or more.) > > I've searched the documents I have (many from bitsavers) and haven't yet > spied a specification for the head design. I suppose if I could determine > the head 'gap' and knowing the magnetic flux required of the tape (with > proper margins) and knowing the stated impedance of the head and drive > current, I could figure out how many turns of some size wire is required > (looks to be at least as small as #40). > > Back when I was a bit younger and less experienced (and didn't know it was > impossible,) I actually 'repaired' (for some definition of 'repair') an old > 1/4 inch tape head. But all I did was pull some wire off the coil and > delicately soldered a tap to this wire. It worked ok for a couple of years > but was obviously failed again from rough handling. Fortunately it was > 'easy' since there wasn't a bunch of clear epoxy in the way ;-) I'm not sure > today I would have the temerity to even try. > > Hoping one will show up someday and I can make a deal as to complete my unit. > > Thanks to all who have replied. > > -Gary > > >
