Greetings from Nottingham

[Zaphod]

Evening all
I have been vaguely aware of telex as a system operating in the background, and seen some in museums but after a visit to the Newark Hamfest last September and a demo (Sean's) using i-telex with various machines on display, and actually working, and then thinking about them a while, i realised i also want to get one of these lovely machines back into use, even if it is just for fun.

So i have now ordered an i-telex set of board as kits, and will spend some time on them in the Autumn and Winter. I just need to find a nice 3U case.
When those are eventually built i will be initially online via a terminal to try it out. But in the meantime i am looking out for a 1970s machine perhaps. Any suggestions?

As an Electronics Engineer, i like getting stuck in with building, dismantling and repairs, but i also would like something fairly reliable. I note that prices in mainland Europe seem to be better than here so i may take the plunge and have a little trip over if i find something suitable.
I have already been pointed in the direction if Ebay Classifieds (many thanks!!) which i have used before for Feuerwehr and Katastrophenschutz items for my other hobby of old cars which includes an ex-KatS T2 with most of its original features, which was last based at Feuerwehr Bersenbruck.

Anyway many thanks to all those hosting all these useful Telex resources which is so useful for us newbies, but i still have lots to learn!

Best Regards

John
2E0VWB

[M1ECY]

Hello John,

Nice to see you on the forum.

1970s Telex equipment, Well from a UK perspective thats going to be either a Creed 444 (Post Office Type 15), possibly a Siemens T100R (British Army) or the newer stuff like a Creed 2300 which is a horrid electromechanical thing, after that comes the BT Cheetah 85 and 87, but these are really perhaps a bit modern.

Over in Germany, the selection is certainly better - the same Siemens T100 machines are without doubt the best (you saw this on my display at Newark) Perhaps a T1000 which is just 1970s, or some of the offerings from Lorenz or RFT.

In any case, you are in good company here - Lots of help and advice is available, and from time to time machines pop up here as well.

If you are struggling for a 3U enclosure, I can probably find you something - Or it may be possible if you really want the Reichelt enclosure, and it can be sent to one of the members who will attend Ham Radio 2023,I can bring it all back to the UK for you.

Have fun, and feel free to ask as many questions as you need to

Sean
M1ECY

[jan02]

Hello John,
welcome to the forum.
I wish you every success in setting up your telex station.
When it comes to devices from the 1970s, the Siemens T100 or Siemens T100S would come to mind. I myself also had a Siemens T100S as the first machine from the 1970s.
You wrote the Bersenbrück fire brigade. Bersenbrück is not far from here.

Have fun getting started with telex.

[Zaphod]

Sean/Jan
Many thanks for the warm welcome. I am going to a local Ham Radio rally next month so i may find an used rack case there if i'm lucky!

The machine recommendations are very useful as they narrow the field a little which helps as there are quite a few types and ages. If i can find one, i will probably start with a Siemens T100 or T1005 but i would like to find a Creed 444 or similar. I don't want to get too modern but some of those with a mini mono CRT display do look rather quirky! I guess i'll just have to see what is available and where.

Jan, you are close to Bersenbruck? We took our T2 back there for a visit and were made very welcome! We stayed for a Hazmat exercise and had wurst and cola and managed to find a few extra accessories originally belonging to 'Vicky' the Wurstbude, so named because of the fire chief was Herr Wurst from the local steelworks. We call her Vicky, they called her the Wurstbude, so after that we combined the two.

Anyway my cards are on their way and i am looking forward to making a start on them when i can.

I'll keep an eye on the forum to see if any machines pop up and i may have some more questions after i've looked at more info.

Best Regards

John

PS - Sorry about the lack of Umlauts!

[DF3OE]

Hi John,

Cola at a volunteer fire brigade?.... Beer Breweries would go bankrupt without supplying them.

I also have many machines for sale: T37, T68, T100(S), T1000, T1000S, Lo15, Lo2000 etc.

Just come over to visit the homeland and almost birthplace of your van and get home fully loaded.

BTW: There will be another BIG bus fest at Hannover on June 23rd to 25th. Unfortunately it collidates with the
date for HAMRADIO exhibition at Friedrichshafen. For me meeting old friends from all over the world at Friedrichshafen, you see only
once a year and having fun together is more important than old cars.

[jan02]

Yes, so Bersenbrück is in the same district and should be about 60 to 70 km away from here. The forum can be very helpful for problems with machines.

[Zaphod]

Well BSB did have other drinks, i had a a couple of hours driving to do afterwards and so had to stick to the cola! Are you near Hannover then Henning? Does the Hannover VW factory do tours too? Hmmm! Maybe a trip is formulating!

On that same trip we went to the Wolfsburg Kafer Treffen and took part in a Police escorted convoy around the town, through red traffic lights etc and ended at the factory. Other highlights were 5 Schwimmwagens in the lake and getting a go in the 4x4 T2 bulli prototype on the beach (not driving though) which was great as that usually sits in the museum along with the turbine prototype.

Anyway my i-Telex kits arrived today, many thanks, i will try to fit in a little building each week to keep them moving. I see you have a few machines for sale Henning are these listed anywhere for sale? If not i'll drop you a message.

I do have a question regarding paper supplies. Are there any preferred suppliers? I like the blue edged'' Telex' paper.

Best Regards

John

And Happy Towel Day to any Douglas Adams fans!

[TEHA]

And Happy Towel Day to any Douglas Adams fans!

Already celebrated today.
And the answers to all the questions today were: 42

Douglas Adams.jpg

[M1ECY]

Hi John,

The paper supplies are interesting from a UK perspective - any paper found here will be 214mm wide - great for British machines, and even some German machines, but is too wide for some of the T100 models - European paper is generally 210mm wide.

if my understanding is correct, Werner had a batch of paper printed a few years ago, and contact with him may be able to source some edge printed material.

Otherwise, it is a case of searching for suppliers - the community has a number of members that have stock holding they may share - I am sure I can spare a roll or two to get you going, but it will be plain paper - I have some very special edge printed paper from BT, but this is reserved for very special events

It should only take a couple of hours to assemble the boards, so I am sure you will be joining us shortly.

[Zaphod]

And Happy Towel Day to any Douglas Adams fans!

Already celebrated today.
And the answers to all the questions today were: 42


Douglas Adams.jpg

Nice one, i didn't actually take a photo but i kept my favourite towel on my work chair all day