Year	Model	Ad	Unit in Museum collection	Specifications
1979	Ampex -PR260 NLIC			Ampex PR260 While many Ampex and other reel tape recorders went to recording studios and broadcast stations, a large percentage went to data recording (especially Ampex & Magnecord) . We provide this Ampex/Teac PR-260 using 1/2" tape and running at speeds from 15/16/ to 30 ips, as an example of some of the data recorders. This is a closed loop, however we don't have much additional sales info. There is an Ampex PR-260/280 manual in the collection for reference.  Ampex Data Brochure  •  Ampex SP-300 flyer

While many Ampex and other reel tape recorders went to recording studios and broadcast stations, a large percentage went to data recording (especially Ampex & Magnecord) . We provide this Ampex/Teac PR 260 using 1/2" tape and running at speeds from 15/16/ to 30 ips, as an example of some of the data recorders. This is a closed loop, however we don't have much additional sales info. There is an Ampex PR-260/280 manual in the collection for reference.  Ampex Data Brochure

Many folks are not aware that many of the professional reel tape recorders that Ampex and Magnecord produced were "data" or "instrumentation" recorders.The US Defense Department and NSA were early adapters. Here's a pdf of the declassified document from the NSA detailing the development of magnetic tape recording with NSA.

Here's an excerpt from the NSA document

"In the quarter-century following the end of World War'll, the role of magnetic recorders in COMINT activities went from that of nonexistence to being an essential, critical component. During this era magnetic tape recorder technology moved through much the same sort of ferment and rapid advancement that computers demonstrated in the succeeding generation.: At base, the tape recorder made possible the off-line, riot-real-time processing of intercepted signals. As the quantity of targeted signals increased arid theri structures became more sophisticated and more complex, the necessity for equally sophisticated, complex analysis and processing at NSA Washington and other rear-echelon locations became absolute". Read declassified document from the NSA

 

 

    

 

   

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A reminder that the prices listed are what the item originally sold for in the year it was released.

Please select a reel tape recorder company from the list below

• A
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• B
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• C
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• D - K
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• P - R
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• S
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• T
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