Ampex 351 - Page 100

Ampex Test Tapes
Catalog No.
01-31336-01
01-31326-01
01-31316-01
In addition to the alignment tapes, Ampex
also produces level set tapes and flutter test
tapes. The flutter test tapes arc used for check 
ing equipment flutter in accordance with Ameri 
can Standards Association standard number
Z57. 1-1954. These tapes consist of a 3000 cycle
tone (with 0.03% or less flutter) which is re 
produced on the machine being checked and
the flutter of the machine is measured using a
standard flutter bridge. (The flutter introduced
by the tape is negligible.) Flutter test tapes are
listed in the following table.
Speed
3% ips flutter test
7'/ 2 ips flutter test
15 ips flutter test .
The level set tapes are used to properly set
the reproduce level of a tape machine when
calibrating the record portions of the machine
or when the machine is to be used in conjunc 
tion with other equipment that requires a spe 
cific input. These tapes are recorded at “ normal ”
operating level and are listed in the following
table.
Speed Catalog No.
3% ips 500 cps level set ................ 01-31335-01
7 ] / 2 ips 700 cps level set ................ 01-31325-01
15 ips 700 cps level set .................. 01-31315-01
The test tapes are valuable tools for ensur 
ing proper operation of the equipment, but only
if the tapes are cared for properly. Like any pre 
recorded tape, the test tapes are sensitive to
magnetic fields, which if sufficient in intensity,
will erase or partially reduce the carefully ad 
justed magnetic orientation of the tape coating,
those rendering the tape useless.
The area in which the test tape is to be used
or stored should be surveyed for equipment
which might set up fields of a nature which
might affect the accuracy of the tape.
The high frequency signals of the tape can
also be partially erased by a record, reproduce
or erase head, or a tape guide which is strongly
magnetized. Moreover, accurate reproduction
of the signals on the test tape is not possible
when used with a magnetized head. To pre 
clude any possibility of this type of damage,
the heads and all metallic objects in the tape
path should be demagnetized before using the
test tape.
The tape should be stored away from hot
radiators, amplifier chassis, or electric lamps
which might cause the tape to deform. Where-
ever possible, the tape should be stored on edge.
In hot weather, a tape laid flat will tend to
“ settle ” to the lower side of the reel causing an
edge “ wrinkle, ” which is conducive to flutter.