[net.micro] What is the "correct" ribbon for TTY43?

twhgbo@tucc.UUCP (06/22/83)

Re:	Ribbons for Model 43 Teletype

I have been having trouble with the ribbon advance mechanism on a TTY,
Model 43 KSR.  Sometimes the ribbon fails to advance when the print-head
is on its return movement.

TTY serviceman came out, cleaned the machine and replaced the ribbon, claim-
ing that the problem was due to our *not* using a proper ribbon with a
Teletype part no, that the ribbon was probably "stretched", etc.,etc.

The ribbons we have been using have the following legend on the case:
"Mfd. under license from Western Electric Co.  U.S. Pat. # 4.046.247.
Made in USA    240".

Am I wrong to assume that Western would be able to supply the specifications
for ribbons for use on TTY43s and that the license implies that the ribbons
so packaged meet these specs?  I assume that Western and Teletype and Bell Labs
are [still] talking to each other.  Neverthless, a call to Skokie simply
confirms that the NIH (not invented here) syndrome is endemic in Teletype Corp.

Can anyone comment on this?

				T. W. Hildebrandt
				University of North Carolina at Greensboro