[VoIP] And now for something COMPLETELY different!

[Steph Kerman]

I've been meaning to post an update. 

Purely by accident, I stumbled across a 1951 article in the Automatic 
Electric Technical Journal describing a time announcement machine which 
uses a continuous 6 hour magnetic tape instead of individual sequenced 
segments.  In brief, their rationale for this is that it produces a more 
natural sounding announcement. 

The tape described in the article has 3 tracks: 6 hours sequential 
announcements in 2 directions and a 1 KHz sync tone channel to stop the 
tape accurately.  They apply DC to the capstan motor to make the motor 
stop abruptly.   I don't think there is discussion about whether it is 
sprocketed film base or conventional audio tape, though they do state 
that it is on 10½" reels, which are shown in a photo in the article.  I 
scanned the article and can provide a link.

So..... contrary to what some of us have speculated on the six lists I 
posted this to about whether or not this is truly a time announcement 
machine tape, there appears to be much greater likelihood at this point 
that it *is* than that it *is not* .

Steph

Rob Jordan wrote:
> First thing I thought of, was an old WWV time recording.
> Just thought I would throw that out there...
> It was a long tape for sure.
>
>