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Walkman Archaeology

Discussion in 'Chat Area' started by Mister X, Aug 12, 2017.

  1. Longman

    Longman Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    Why did the picture of the Apollo 12 Tape Recorder immediately make me think of Captain Kirk doing his captains log.

    More seriously who was making translucent blue tapes back in 1970 ? I would hop Nasa didn't just pick some random ones from the nearest Dollar store.
     
  2. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    I was checking those tapes out, I wonder why they have the metal lock on the reels and why is it taped on the cartridge. There seems to be some writing on the tape case "SEB"? The velcro is pretty cool but all the random placements makes you wonder why unless some were for storage and maybe they had velcro on the gloves?
     
  3. Longman

    Longman Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    Velcro was used to stick things down. Otherwise they would find the item they had put in one place had drifted to the other end of the capsule. The metal locks are probably in place of tape cases. The cost of sending anything to the moon is many times its value. This website claims over $1 million/Kg

    https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=27789.0

    I wonder if they did any modifications to the tape recorder to make it space rated. I remember reading that commercial test equipment sent to the ISS had to have all the capacitors replaced with space rated ones.
     
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  4. speedy2.0

    speedy2.0 Active Member

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    I think the tc-50 was off the shelf, much like the flags bought from JC Penney on the way to the launch pads... apologies can’t find the link for that!
     
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  5. autoreverser

    autoreverser Well-Known Member

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    ...and i allways thought this was the real SPACE WALKMAN:

    51113980_1_x.jpg
     
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  6. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  7. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  8. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  9. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    TECHNICS NEW POCKET CD PACKS A BIG PUNCH

    Chicago Tribune, 1992
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-05-08-9202100871-story.html


    Technics celebrates the 10th anniversary of compact disc with the most remarkable pocket CD player ever developed. The SL-XPS900 at 5 1/16-inches square is barely larger than the CD itself. It weighs a scant 12.2 ounces including the rechargeable batteries. Technics furnishes a lucid 46-page instruction manual to explain the player`s multitude of features. It reminds you of the catsup ad that boasted of fitting an armload of tomatoes into a tiny bottle.

    A decade ago, Technics led the market in turntable sales. The arrival of the CD changed the market as quickly as an Alberta Clipper cold front moving in from Canada. Since CD players replaced turntables, Technics committed itself to establishing the same reputation with CD players it had earned with turntables. The SL-XPS900 proves this commitment. You can search every shop in town, but you won`t find a pocket CD player with a better design, more features, and better performance than the $369 SL-XPS900.

    Technics, along with Japanese communications giant NTT, developed a simpler, sonically superior digital-to-analog conversion technology called MASH (Multi-stAge noise SHaping). Instead of trying to convert the digital code from the disc in large blocks, MASH rapidly converts the code in single- bits with a technique that hides noise. Technics first included this technology on home players about two and a half years ago. The SL-XPS900 is the first portable to use this improved system.

    The player also tracks extremely well. It made it through nine of the 15 tracks of our ABEX test disc. Some top-notch home players failed at track one. This means that if you handle your disc after eating pizza, the Technics will not suffer indigestion.


    A battery pack the size of a small motorcycle battery powered the first portable CD players for about 90 minutes. Two internal rechargeable gum-stick- size batteries power the SL-XPS900 for two and a half hours. Attach the small outboard battery pack that holds two ''AA'' cells, and the Technics plays for a whopping 10 hours! That`s just about enough to fly from Tokyo to Chicago without changing batteries.

    The push button controls decorate the stylish metal case of the SL-XPS900 like a constellation of stars. The round, disc-motion function keys look like the handle of the Big Dipper. The different size buttons indicate by touch their function and importance, the largest being the play button. Three smaller buttons elsewhere on the sculpted lid choose repeat, A-B repeat, and memory/recall.

    An oval inset provides a window to view the disc, and an LCD showing mode, track, time and battery indications. The front edge contains four slide switches. These are hold, which locks the function controls, play mode

    (normal, resume, and random), live (which adds a touch of reverb to the sound), and a bass enhancement function called S-XBS. The third called S-XBS with high filter reduces the treble for shrill discs. Just to the right is a small thumbwheel volume control. The left edge contains the remote sensor jack and the right edge, the stereo headphone jack. The rear edge includes the AC power adapter jack, the battery pack connectors and a standard line output jack, as well as an optical digital output, which is uncommon on portable CD players.


    A thumbnail size remote adapter and credit-card-size wireless remote control comes with the SL-XPS900. The remote permits direct track access from its numbered keypad, and music scan, which samples each track on a disc for 15 seconds. The remote also makes the unit`s 24-track programming faster and easier.

    With its outstanding fidelity, choice of outputs, and remote control, the SL-XPS900 serves as well at home as on the road. Connect it to your stereo and pretend that it`s a big black box. However, miniaturization does reduce longevity, so a portable probably should not be your primary home CD player.

    Technics equips the SL-XPS900 with a pair of earbud-style headphones. A bulge in the cord contains another remote control for ease of operation when the player`s controls are inaccessible. The earphones do not do justice to the sound quality of the player. You may want to consider buying a superior set of headphones.

    Technics also supplies a suede and leatherette carrying sleeve. It lacks a catch to prevent the player from slipping out. Also missing is a shoulder strap or belt clip. The SL-XPS900 resists shock well enough to play while walking, and perhaps cycling.

    Technics proves you can take it with you. The CD comes of age with the SL-XPS900, celebrating its 10th anniversary with style, grace, and great sound.
     
  10. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  11. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  12. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  13. walkman archive

    walkman archive Administrator Staff Member

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    As always, great digging! Thanks
     
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  14. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks walkman archive! I hate doing work paperwork so this is a nice diversion although there's a ton of information out there nowadays. Feel free to add anything!
     
  15. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  16. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  17. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette July 4th 1989
    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 070489.jpg
     
  18. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  19. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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  20. Mister X

    Mister X Moderator Staff Member

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    Nakamichi 550 Portable Cassette Recorder

    Nakamichi 550.jpg
     
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