Paper tape readers

[Milo Velimirović]

I’ve finally exhumed the paper tape reader. It is a BRS Electronics model TRS-4 Tape Reader.

BRS Electronics was a division of Tech Services, Inc. of College Park, MD. They filed for a trademark in 1961 and it lapsed/expired in 1983. Trademark info suggests that the B and R stand for Behavior and Research.

[Matthias Barthel]

Such a beauty 👌 i'am working on a iot-backplane for real devices to connect with the pidp1. With this Backplane you can use your papertape reader on the pidp1.

Matthias 

Milo Velimirović <milovel...@gmail.com> schrieb am So., 26. Okt. 2025, 23:05:

I’ve finally exhumed the paper tape reader. It is a BRS Electronics model TRS-4 Tape Reader.

BRS Electronics was a division of Tech Services, Inc. of College Park, MD. They filed for a trademark in 1961 and it lapsed/expired in 1983. Trademark info suggests that the B and R stand for Behavior and Research.

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It looks like they took a Digitronics tape reader head and created a rack mount unit for end users.

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So far I haven’t been able to locate any documents on this device. If anyone has a copy of Computer Design from January 1965, that would be worth checking for its review of tape readers. Can’t find that online yet either.

Here's the geeky shot you’ve been waiting for. First order of business will be to pull that electrolytic and see if it’s possible to reform it 60 years on. And then on to figuring out the circuit board at the top of the photo.

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Any insights or reference material greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
—Milo

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[Milo Velimirović]

I gotta make sure the power supply doesn’t implode or explode on the TRS-4 AND I need to figure out the interface electronics. Other than that it’s easy — right?!

Thanks,

—Milo

[Matthias Barthel]

Yes indeed 😂 you must find out how the reader works than its easy to connect the datalines to the Computer 

I hope you get no "magic smoke" when you power up the device 😬

Matthias