<html><body>
<DIV>Park, </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Well... actually they were telling you the truth about WHCA repairing TV sets. In addition to our recording of the TV News programs and providing all manner of electronic communications.... our unit also repaired the TV sets in the WH. That included the fabrication of what we called a Triple. Enclosed three 21" color TV sets in a single cabinet (with cured back to match the curved oval office wall) with motorized doors and remote channel change. Doesn't sound like so much now, but for 1960's technology, we thought it was really something to be proud of. As the number of TV networks grew, we made additional units for other WH offices that had four TV sets built in. Other units in WHCA provided sound amplification and recording of presidential speeches. Like I said, WHCA provided all manner of electronic communications support. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Allan </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>------------- Original message -------------- <BR>From: "C. Park Seward" <park@videopark.com> <BR>Hi Allan,</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Interesting. I almost became a military employee of the WHCA. During basic, I interviewed with those guys but became suspicious when I asked them what my job would be. They said the purpose of the WHCA was to "fix the TV sets in the White House."</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Yea, right...</DIV>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV apple-content-edited="true"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 12px Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0">
<DIV style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 12px Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto">
<DIV style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 12px Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto">
<DIV>
<DIV>Best,</DIV>
<DIV>Park</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>C. Park Seward</DIV>
<DIV>Visit us: <A href="http://www.videopark.com/">http://www.videopark.com</A></DIV><BR class=Apple-interchange-newline></SPAN></DIV></SPAN></DIV></SPAN><BR class=Apple-interchange-newline></DIV><BR>
<DIV>
<DIV>On Jan 5, 2009, at 12:20 PM, <A href="mailto:allanmc-avtech@comcast.net">allanmc-avtech@comcast.net</A> wrote:</DIV><BR class=Apple-interchange-newline>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Happy New Year Everyone, <BR><BR>I'm glad to see this message string concerning the WHCA 2" quad videotapes since I was there during the recording of those made from late 1968 until 1973. From 1969 through 1973 I was in charge of the VTR Recording Section at WHCA (White House Communications Agency). Back in the day, we did not take personal photos "of the work place" since we were reminded frequently to keep a low profile. I can say that initially we had only two Ampex VR2000B machines plus several of the open gate 1" Ampex decks. I don't recall the exact date, but we did acquire a 3rd quad deck when we installed an RCA TR-70C. So, I definitely can attest to having experienced the joys of replacing transformer brushes in those headwheels. We were operating in a tiny room up in the attic space of the OEOB (Old Executive Office Building) next door to the White House. Working in cramped spa
ce we initially recorded virtually every network and local (D.C.) TV news cast. When we were finally able to add th<BR>e 3rd quad VTR we could finally record simultaneous feeds from each of the three major networks. <BR><BR>As for the Weekly News Summaries, we simply used the basic Electronic Editor in the Ampex VTRs for sequencing the stories back to back. I recall that we did not have a reliable CG at the time and used a rather crude combination of a vidicon camera shooting a black card with white letters to identify those summary tapes. <BR><BR>And, we went through so much quad tapes that my arms and legs still ache just thinking about all those reels and reels (each in a plastic shipper case) that we carried up the last flight of stairs in to the recording room. The elevator stopped one floor below. So, the last floor up to the VTR recording Room was all manually carried. Being young and foolish at the time, we would o
ften grab four ninety six minute reels (two plastic shippers in each hand) and then trudge up that last flight of steps. Since, I've had both my knees replaced I have to wonder how many knees were ruined carrying those tapes up and then back down again. <BR><BR>But, even with all that.... I loved those days and really miss the challenges we faced. For example, we had to find a way to reduce the machine noise of the Ampex VTR's vacuum pumps in a small room. So, we removed them and replaced with venturi valves. And then, without reliable house compressed air, we had to use individual compressors which were constantly failing due to the high humidity of the Washington location. So, we fabricated a sound baffle box to minimize the sound while blowing air conditioned air into the Air Compressors. Sure was fun over coming challenges when you had to do what you had to do... just to keep the place operating
. <BR><BR>Good Memories....thanks for letting me share, <BR><BR>Allan McConnell<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>-------------- Original message ----------------------<BR>From: Ted Langdell <<A href="mailto:ted@quadvideotapegroup.com">ted@quadvideotapegroup.com</A>><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Hi, Steve,<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">On Jan 5, 2009, at 8:16 AM, Steve Greene wrote:<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">I'll be happy to try to provide additional information to any <BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">interested parties.<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Sincerely,<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Steve Greene<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">I'm sure folks on the list would be interested in the process and <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">equipment used for migration and what format(s) they end up on.<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Sounds like you have to send tapes back to College Park for transfer? <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Do you get them back or are they stored there?<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Looking at the 1973 logs for WHCA, it would appear that the local <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Washington/Baltimore stations newscasts were recorded... which would <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">have meant quite a few machines rolling at the same time.<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">What can you tell us about the WHCA facilities for recording and <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">editing Quad in the Nixon years? Photos?<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">When did WHCA's use of Quad end?<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Thanks very much,<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Ted<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Ted Langdell<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">flashscan8.us<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">209 East 12th Street<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Marysville, CA 95901<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Main: <SPAN class=Apple-tab-span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></SPAN>(530) 741-1212<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Cell: <SPAN class=Apple-tab-span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"></SPAN>(530) 301-2931<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Secretary for the QuadVideotapeGroup.com:<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Preserving Tape, Equipment and the Knowledge to use them, in <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">conjunction with the Library of Congress<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><A href="mailto:ted@quadvideotapegroup.com">ted@quadvideotapegroup.com</A><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">flashscan8.us home of gentle, faster than realtime flashscan HD, <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">realtime flashscan8, flashstransfer 16/35<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">digital film transfer systems and other products from the creative <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">engineers at MWA Nova, Berlin.<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">tedlangdell.com. Storytelling through Broadcast Coverage and Creative <BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Services since 1974<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR><BR>
<DIV style="MARGIN: 0px"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'"><B>From: </B></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'">Ted Langdell <<A href="mailto:ted@quadvideotapegroup.com">ted@quadvideotapegroup.com</A>><BR></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="MARGIN: 0px"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'"><B>Date: </B></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'">January 5, 2009 10:38:34 AM PST<BR></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="MARGIN: 0px"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'"><B>To: </B></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'">Quad List <<A href="mailto:quadlist@quadvideotapegroup.com">quadlist@quadvideotapegroup.com</A>><BR></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="MARGIN: 0px"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'"><B>Subject: </B></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Helvetica'"><B>Re: [QuadList] Quad Libraries--White House Communications Agency</B><BR></SPAN></DIV><BR><BR><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 16px Times; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0">
<DIV style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space">Hi, Steve,<BR>
<DIV>
<DIV>On Jan 5, 2009, at 8:16 AM, Steve Greene wrote:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; WORD-SPACING: 0px; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; FONT-STYLE: normal; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; FONT-VARIANT: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">
<DIV><BR>I'll be happy to try to provide additional information to any interested parties.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Sincerely,</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,221); -webkit-text-stroke-width: -1px"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV>Steve Greene</DIV></SPAN></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>I'm sure folks on the list would be interested in the process and equipment used for migration and what format(s) they end up on. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Sounds like you have to send tapes back to College Park for transfer? Do you get them back or are they stored there?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Looking at the 1973 logs for WHCA, it would appear that the local Washington/Baltimore stations newscasts were recorded... which would have meant quite a few machines rolling at the same time.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>What can you tell us about the WHCA facilities for recording and editing Quad in the Nixon years? Photos?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>When did WHCA's use of Quad end?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Thanks very much,</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Ted</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 14px Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">
<DIV style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 14px Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 14px Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 14px
Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px"><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 14px Helvetica; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px">
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">Ted Langdell</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><A href="http://www.%20flashscan8.us/">flashscan8.us</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">209 East 12th Street</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">Marysville, CA 95901</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">Main: <SPAN class=Apple-tab-span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>(530) 741-1212</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">Cell: <SPAN class=Apple-tab-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px; WHITE-SPACE: pre"> </SPAN>(530) 301-2931</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">Secretary for the <A href="http://www.quadvideotapegroup.com/">QuadVideotapeGroup.com</A><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 10px">: </SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">Preserving Tape, Equipment and the Knowledge to use them, in conjunction with the Library of Congress</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"><A href="mailto:ted@quadvideotapegroup.com">ted@quadvideotapegroup.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.flashscan8.us/"><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">flashscan8.us</SPAN></FONT></A><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px"> home of gentle, faster than realtime <SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><I>flashscan HD</I>, <SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">realtime <B>flashscan8, flashstransfer 16/35</B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">digital film transfer systems <SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 14px"><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">a</SPAN></FONT><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">nd other products from the creative engineers at MWA Nova, Berlin.</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV></SPAN></SPAN><BR class=Apple-interchange-newline></SPAN><A href="http://www.tedlangdell.com/"><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">tedlangdell.com</SPAN></FONT></A><FONT class=Apple-style-span size=3><SPAN class=Apple-style-span style="FONT-SIZE: 12px">. Storytelling through Broadcast Coverage and Creative Services since 1974</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV></SPAN></DIV><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Please trim posts to relevant inf
o when replying!<BR>Send QuadList list posts to <A href="mailto:QuadList@quadvideotapegroup.com">QuadList@quadvideotapegroup.com</A><BR>Your subscribe, unsubscribe and digest options are here:<BR><A href="http://mail.quadvideotapegroup.com/mailman/listinfo/quadlist_quadvideotapegroup.com">http://mail.quadvideotapegroup.com/mailman/listinfo/quadlist_quadvideotapegroup.com</A></DIV></SPAN><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Please trim posts to relevant info when replying!<BR>Send QuadList list posts to <A href="mailto:QuadList@quadvideotapegroup.com">QuadList@quadvideotapegroup.com</A><BR>Your subscribe, unsubscribe and digest options are here:<BR><A href="http://mail.quadvideotapegroup.com/mailman/listinfo/quadlist_quadvideotapegroup.com">http://mail.quadvideotapegroup.com/mailman/listinfo/quadlist_quadvideotapegroup.com</A></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>