At shore transmitting stations, Morse code messages could be punched onto paper tape and then sent via a CW or FSK keyer which controlled the transmitters. Normal manual shore-to-ship transmission was around 20 wpm, but high speed links between shore stations could run up to 400 wpm. See below for transmitting tape perforators and keyers and high-speed code recorders. The manual for Boehme paper tape equipment is TM 11-377.
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Wheatstone
tape: --.- ... - (QST)
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Wheatstone perforator and Boehme keying head in use at NLK Jim Creek,
1953. Boehme ink recorder is also shown on shelf above perforator. |
"WAVE Hope Humphreys operates a radio
circuit high-speed transmitter at the Naval
Communications Center, Washington, D.C.,
July 1945." |
Messages on high speed - or Boehme - tape are checked
by (left to right) RMC Jasper Bert; RM2 Hope Humphreys, and RM1 Edward J,
Markaity - Naval
Communications Center, Washington, D.C.,
July 1945  |
Radioman First Class Norma Challis of Ernsworth, Pa. and Radioman First
Class Harold V. Alberts of Minneapolis, Minn. check messages at the Naval
Communications Center, Washington, D.C.,
July 1945 |
Wheatstone tape message with translation - Japanese surrender  |
At the receiving end of a high-speed link, Morse was recorded in ink onto a paper tape - the tape ("slip") was then read by Radiomen who typed the messages using a mill (typewriter) as the tape was pulled past the Radioman. | ||
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Video of Rob Flory's BC-1016 inker at work
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NAVRADSTA Los Banos, PI , 1930 - Right to Left - Wheatstone tape punch, keying head, ink recorder, and tape bridge with puller - note waste cans as "buffer storage" 
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Code recorders were also widely used for
intercept work:
Info from Arthur Adolphsen, USASA - "In 1956-8 we used the RD-112
recorders. The radio racks, 50 in each room, contained two SP-600 receivers, later changed to
R-390's. They were connected to one FSK converter, which aligned the signals, symmetrical and volume, with
Operator's help. We could adjust the length of dots/dashes with a speed wheel or reverse the signal with a switch when it went up side down on the
RD-112, from the FSK converter then to the RD-112. We scanned and read the tape by eye/hand, cutting the desired message for later translating via Royal or Underwood machines with a tape puller motor to the left of the typewriters.
We had a large antenna field, and could connect and change direction by a large board with cable plugs,
looked like a Telephone switch board, only no switches, just plugs and wires, as one radio lost
its signal we could find another antenna (direction or orientation). Seemed as though the inverted V's worked the best for most
every frequency. Was easy to chase the signals with the plug system.
Most of the Automatic operators could read and type the code on the tapes very fast, most around 50 or 60
wpm. We became able to type very fast by the end of our tour. The paper from the tape, after going through the ink pen just piled up on the floor, some of the messages were very short, only a foot or so of paper, and some went on for many hours, maybe a day or so, we had to make sure the tape roll was full, and the ink bottle was full and as good a signal as possible."
RD-110/U Paper Tape Code Recorder - Before Restoration -
technical manual
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 Tape feeder tray missing from lower right. Ink reservoir upper center. Solenoid controlled inker below it. Tape capstan at upper left. |
 As found - just a wee bit dirty |
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 Tape capstan at upper left |
 Ink reservoir |
 Solenoid controlled inker |
CW Fleet Broadcast Console with Wheatstone Perforator,
Boehme Keyer, and three RD-110/U Ink Recorders |
 Capstan motor showing variable diameter shaft for speed control |
 Capstan motor showing variable diameter shaft for speed control |
 center - inker solenoid right - capstan motor |
 inker solenoid |
Restoration - - I am missing some pieces that guide the paper tape past the pen - please send me e-mail with any info or photos of this equipment |
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 Good Navy paint beneath the grime |
 Ah that looks better |
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 Capstan and pinch roller |
 Green points to pen tip Magenta - pen motion Blue - tape path Yellow - missing adjustment knob and spring loaded tape guide |
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 Better shot of pen tip between adjustable stops. |
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I have got the pen and capstan motor working, but am missing pieces that guide the paper tape past the pen - please send me e-mail with any info or photos of this equipment. |
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RD-60/U Code Recorder (McElroy RAPC) |
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Photos thanks to WA1TEJ |
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McElroy (also Warren Mfg Co.)- Signal Corps procurement, used by USN |
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RD-70/U Code Signal Recorder (Mecanitron MA-126E) |
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Need better photo |
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-- | Manf by Mecanitron (Model MA-126E) 1947 |
RD-112/U Code Tape Recorder - manual
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Please let me know if you have
one for sale or trade
Manf by McElroy - 1954 RD-112/U - NAVSHIPS 91781 |
RD-17/U Paper Tape Ink Recorder (Boehme 4-G) |
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Boehme 4-G Ink Recorder |
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The manual for Boehme equipment is TM
11-377.
Photos of Boehme 3-G Ink Recorder Please let me know if you have a Boehme ink recorder for sale or trade.I'm also looking for 3/8" wide paper tape. |
AM-103/U Ink Recorder Driver(Boehme 4-C)
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MX-480/U Tape Reel (Boehme 7-H Series B)  |
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NT-50059 Ink Recorder Driver
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NT-5009 Spec Sheet | Boehme tape reel, ink recorder, and tape puller on shelf
above perforator. |
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McElroy RRD-900-42 Paper Tape Recorder - Commercial recorder (uses external tape puller) |
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RO-98/U
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RO-98/U Spec Sheet
Manual NAVSHIPS 93394 Whiteford Laboratory Model WL-3 |
Please send email if you have more info or have one for sale or trade | == |
MX-1365/U (Boehme 8-F Series B) Tape Puller with rewinder reel |
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The manual for Boehme equipment is TM
11-377.
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Boehme Tape Puller or ??Please send e-mail if you can identify this equipment The manual for Boehme equipment is TM 11-377. |
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MX-442/U Tape Puller (Boehme 4-F-E) 
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MX-477/U Tape Winder Control (Boehme 7-FA, Series E) |
Adds remote control of the pressure roller bracket of Tape
Puller MX-442.
Attached to MX-442 when the tape puller is used to pull tape through the ink recorder, allowing the operator to remotely start-stop the tape. |
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MX-478/U Rewinder Reel Attachment (Boehme 4-FA, Series E) |
Mechanically rewinds tape as it is pulled by Tape Puller
MX-442
Attached to MX-442 when the tape puller is used to pull tape across the MX-481 tape bridge The manual for Boehme equipment is TM 11-377. |
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TT-2/FG Tape Puller (DeLisser TP-200) |
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spec sheet | -- |
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TT-28/U Tape Puller (Boehme 11-F) |
Used to pull 3/8" paper recording tape thru tape bridge for transcribing ink slip recording. Used with Tape Bridge Guide MX-481/U |
need photo |
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MX-481/U Tape Bridge Guide (Boehme 4-K) |
3/8" paper; used as guide for moving tape over mill keyboard |
The manual for Boehme equipment is TM 11-377. |
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McElroy TP-890-B Tape Puller
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McElroy TP-890B spec sheet |
McElroy ad - 1950
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Paper tapes were created using a Wheatstone perforator (2-level code on
15/32" tape) and then
played through a keyer for transmission at up to 400wpm.
Video of
perforator and McElroy keyer in operation.
Video of perforator
and Boehme keyer in operation
Morse Keyboard Perforators |
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MX-491/U Wheatstone Perforator (15/32" 2-level tape)
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AKA "Kleinschmidt Perforator" |
Download
manual & parts list for
Teletype WPE3/1SS, WPE3/1JJJ, & WPE16/1SS (thanks to Tom
Tillson)
Please let me know if you have any 15/32" paper tape for sale |
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1945 USN WPE18 unit Wheatstone
tape: --.- ... - (QST) Video of perforator and McElroy keyer in operation. |
WPE3 commercial unit |
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| PP-189/U Power Supply | 120vdc, 1.2amp for Wheatstone perforator | - |
Teletype Corp. REC-32 Manual |
| AN/FGQ-3 | includes perforator, power supply, table, etc. | - | Teletype WPE18/1SS perforator |
TT-393/UG Morse Keyboard Perforator
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NAVSHIPS 94653
(15/32" 2-level tape) |
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KEYERS |
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KY-469/UG Keyer (same as GNT-112) |
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KY-469/UG Spec SheetG.N.T. 112 Manual |
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Boehme 4-D Drive with Boehme 4-E Keying Head- More photos |
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The manual for Boehme equipment is TM 11-377. |
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| MX-439/U Keying Head Drive (Boehme 4-D-E)  |
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The manual for Boehme equipment is TM 11-377. | --- |
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MX-439A/U Keying Head Drive (Boehme 4-D-J) 
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Manual NAVSHIPS 92220
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MX-439A/U |
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KY-14/U Keyer (Boehme 4-E Series B Automatic Keying Head) |
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McElroy HED-400 Keying Head
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McElroy XTR-442 keyer with MAH-142 keying head
From an on-line sale listing: "The XTR-442 was an early McElroy development model Morse transmitter that was the predecessor of the McElroy XTR-442B Automatic Transmitter The XTR-442 model listed here consists of a variable speed motor that,
through a gear-reduction assembly, drives a McElroy sprocket feed paper
tape reader (tape head) that in operation sends Morse coded signals to a
polar relay mounted on the unit, the output of which was connected to
radiotelephone or telegraphy equipment to send messages at high speed. In
use the operator mounts the tape head in one of two positions on the units
deck to establish the desired speed range. The two speed ranges allow the
unit to send Morse code at 5 to 200 words per minute. The head is located
to the right side of the deck for speeds of 5-35 wpm and to the left side
for speeds of 30-200 wpm. The motor speed within these ranges is adjusted
with the 300 ohm motor speed rheostat, see enclosed schematic. The head
utilized a 1/2 inch wide oiled paper tape that was prepared by using a
companion paper tape perforator such as McElroy’s or those of other
manufacturers. |
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McElroy XTR-442B Automatic Transmitter (Keyer) - Video of Wheatstone perforator and McElroy keyer in operation. |
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McElroy XTR-442C, -442G Automatic Transmitter (Keyer) - Manual |
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TT-94/FG
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TT-94/FG set on right Port Lyautey COMMSTA 1952 
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Great Northern Telegraph GNT-2206Thanks to Dick Dillman and MRHS for the photos of their machine Description/Specifications, courtesy of Jeff Dykes http://www.godfreydykes.info |
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AN/UGA-3
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Video of AN/UGA-3 - see stills below
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Includes external motor drive to connect to receiver BFO control for
AFC.
From 1960 press release - "The AN/UGA-3, (commercial nomenclature CMP-18) automatically copies Morse code and converts it into teleprinter code at a rate of from 10 to 120 words/min, then types message on a page-copy teleprinter..."
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Manuf: Trak Electronics (Wilton CT) Manual NAVSHIPS 94316 Please let me know if you have a UGA-3 or manual for sale or trade |
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Story from Trak Electronics Technician Roger Cote - The electronic devices that were manufactured by Trak Electronics were very sophisticated and required an understanding of the logic that was at the very heart of these devices. In 1963, the US Navy was still using Morse code to send messages back and forth among ships. The purpose of these machines was to translate Morse code into hard copy printouts on teletype machines. You can guess how far we've come since those days. To me, that doesn't seem that long ago, but I guess it was. While I had been used to reading electronic schematics, that was no longer the requirement. Reading and interpreting logic diagrams was the new technology and Trak Electronics was heavily involved in that technology. | |
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Imagine someone on a ship sending a Morse code message over a radio connection to another ship. In the old days, someone at the other end would pick up the dots and dashes thru an earphone and hand write the translated code into a readable message. But now (in 1963) a radio receiver would pick up the message, forward it to one of our machines where it would go thru a translator and print out the message on a teletype machine. The Trak translator would need to be able to do this thru all sorts of radio noise and keep up with the changing speed of the sender. Quite a trick in those days and it was accomplished quite well. The machine had to be tested on board a naval vessel. One of the company engineers and myself were selected to do the job. We flew down to Norfolk, VA, conducted the test successfully on board one of the navy's ships and returned home. The engineer did not want to fly back, so we took the train. We bought seats in the parlor car and with meals and drinks and soft reclining swivel chairs, enjoyed one of the most relaxing and enjoyable trips I ever had. It took longer to get back, but it was a very pleasant trip. |
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CV-398/UG
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Need photo and more info - please send
me email
CV-398( )/UG consists of a translator relay assembly, character and function relays, electronic counter and gating CKT's, tone oscillator, and output relay. Also has a self-contained RECT power supply. It requires external tape reading EQUIP. Input data: 1 channel, provides on-off keyed International Morse signals from 5-unit TTY tape. Output data: 1 channel keyed tone, variable between 500 cps and 1500 cps, and/or relay. Operating power: 115 V, 50 to 60 cps, 1-ph, 300 W. Manufactured by: Naval Security Group Detachment (D-50), Washington 25, D . C.; converts punched TTY Tape into standard international Morse signals at keying speeds from 10 to 60 WPM. |
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CV-432/UG
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Need photo and more info - please send
me email
This unit rectifies and shapes incoming signals to produce timing pulses used to sync converter to incoming signal. Morse code is stored on a character basis until a space between characters is recognized at which time the translator reads off the equivalent TTY character to a small magnetic loop. The output is at the erratic Morse speed, and final read-off is smooth TTY rate. Provisions are made to give carriage return, line feed, letters, figures, and space functions when required. The CV-432( )/UG performs the inverse function of CV-398/U. Operating power: l10V, 60 cycle, 1-ph. CV-432( )/UG is u/w TTY TT-176/UG. Manufactured by the Naval Security Group Detachment. Wash. 25, D.C. |
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CV-2015/U
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Same as Frederick 660A? | Converts standard 7-unit start-stop (Baudot) code into international Morse
code and keys transmitter
Manual is 0967-LP-876-1010 |
Please let me know if you have one for sale or trade |
CV-2124/U
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Same as Frederick 670? | Converts international Morse code into standard 7-unit start-stop (Baudot) code. | Please let me know if you have one for sale or trade |
DT-325/U
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same as Frederick 1201? | Interface between a conventional communications receiver and the CV-2124A Morse-to-teleprinter code converter. | Please let me know if you have one for sale or trade |
CDCR-660A
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Installed aboard USS Arlington AGMR-2
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Please let me know if you have one for sale or trade - I need 2 PC boards and a manual |
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backplane - code converter boards plug in at left |
logic board and code converter board
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logic board
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control
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power supply
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CDCR-670
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Frederick Electronics Model 670 Morse-to-Baudot converter Did this become CV-2124/U? CDCR-670 spec sheets |
Please let me know if you have one for sale or trade |
CDCR-1201
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Frederick Electronics Model 1201 Interface between receiver and Model 670 Morse-Baudot converter Did this become DT-325/U? CDCR-1201 spec sheets |
Please let me know if you have one for sale or trade |
