[GreenKeys] UGC-74A supplies paper, ribbon available

Mon May 15 14:14:26 EDT 2017

Chris,

I'm a pretty new GreenKeys user, too (just a few weeks since I joined), so
I feel like I shouldn't be able to say "welcome" just yet, but welcome
nonetheless.

I have a UGC-74(B). I couldn't remember if both models have the same
ribbon, but after looking up your model's manual, it looks like yours uses
a spool while mine uses a very custom and rare cartridge.  A company at the
site componentcentralinc.com had a few hundred ribbon cartridges for my
model in stock last summer. I got two for $12.50 a piece at the time.

You may have already come across manuals, but this site has text-searchable
PDF manuals for the UGC-74 family, among others; here's the exact page with
the various manuals linked: http://radionerds.com/index.php/AN~UGC-74 The
part number for the ribbon spools you need should be in one of those
manuals. It's possible the spool is a standard half-inch spool common to
many typewriters and other some other teletype models, in which case it'd
be really easy to get new and cheap ribbon for it from eBay or many other
websites. In fact, there's a listing for new old stock half-inch teletype
ribbons on eBay right now for a great deal:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Teletype-Corporation-Typing-Unit-Ribbon-Pack-12-NOS-Ribbons-See-Condition-/152535502768?.
The seller thinks they may need to be re-inked, but if they've been
properly sealed, in my experience many new old stock ribbons are still
quite usable even after many decades of storage. I'm planning on purchasing
a box for myself, and I'd be happy to let the group know if they actually
don't need re-inking if anybody's interested.

Other part numbers for things like power/data cables, internal boards, and
other parts can be found throughout the manuals, and you can use those
numbers to search for parts you can buy from surplus dealers. I spent quite
a few hours Googling and contacting surplus dealers for a power connector
or cable for my 74(B), and many companies either would not respond or
specified they only did business with other businesses, not individuals.
Some that did respond tried to sell me a single Amphenol connector I needed
to make my own power cable for $150. I believe I eventually found the
Amphenol connector for less than $20 on eBay, but I had to match the
military parts number with the nonmilitary Amphenol part number to make
sure I had the right connector since a lot of people don't list the
military parts numbers when they sell, and that took quite a bit of
research just to do so. I eventually found compenentcentralinc.com who
offered me those ribbons I mentioned and a loopback plug for a much more
reasonable cost. Like many other companies selling parts like this, I think
they only prefer to do business with other businesses, not individuals, so
it might be best if you can email them from a business address or from a
custom @whatever.com domain; I also had to pay for my own shipping label
from my "business" Paypal/USPS account and create a business purchase order
to send to them, just so you know what to be prepared for. I emailed Adam
there directly since their parts search didn't seem to work. He was very
helpful in finding parts I requested and even emailed me pictures of the
parts I was asking about.

I haven't ordered new paper rolls for my 74(B) yet, so I haven't bothered
verifying whether standard rolls are compatible, but I think they are. Some
research into the manuals should be able to verify that detail. I've seen a
lot of standard TTY paper rolls on eBay, some overpriced, but plenty for a
reasonable deal.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful. I'm a very new teletype user compared to a
lot of the other people on this list, but I figured I might have some
specific knowledge on the UGB-74 family many others wouldn't and some tips
on how I found some of the relatively rare military parts.

--Jordan

On Sun, May 14, 2017 at 9:34 AM Christopher Story <ke6rwj at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> New green keys user here.  I've acquired a ugc-74a to accompany my grc-193
> and I'm looking for information on supplies, paper and ribbon for it.
>
> Thank you
> Chris
> K6RWJ
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