endless 1 track tape

I forgot I had this old telephone answering machine: It uses a regular
cassette to take and play messages, and a smaller version of the endless
loop 8 track cartridge that uses a tape identical to the ones used in
regular cassettes. So the cartridge is only 8.5 cm x 6.5 cm and 1 cm
thick.

The answering machine is "Message-Minder 500 C, K-229B" and uses a
cartridge called, "Tele-Tender".

I found it interesting that the cartridge has a retractible roller on a
spring (that goes in) when making contact with the capstan inside the
machine. I wonder if this is to reduce flutter vibrations?

This particular tape is only 1 minute long and has a sensing strip.


--
Tony

On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 00:21:45 +0000 (UTC), Roy Tony
wrote:

I found it interesting that the cartridge has a retractible roller on a
spring (that goes in) when making contact with the capstan inside the
machine. I wonder if this is to reduce flutter vibrations? snip

No, that's to allow retraction of the captive pinch roller. Flutter
is not an issue on a lousy telephone answering machine from the '70s.
Most were almost unintelligible.

This particular tape is only 1 minute long and has a sensing strip. snip

Common cassette loop tape, used to be available at most electronics
parts houses and tape resellers until everyone went PCM.

dB