SAGE
I was one of the last technicians to be trained on the
AN/FSQ-7 computer, which was the heart of the SAGE system. I arrived at
McChord AFB in January of 1983, and spent the next 8 months working on the Q7,
as a CC (Central Computer) tech. In September, they sent me to Tyndall AFB
for training on the new system, the AN/FYQ-93, during which time they shut
down McChord's Q7 after 25 years of operation. They saved a couple of pieces
of the system for me, and I've managed to track down some other parts over the
years.
This switch assembly came from the AN/FSQ-7 (SAGE) computer at McChord
AFB in Tacoma, WA. It was part of the Duplex Maintenance Console.
The second picture is the switch assembly in its native environment.
This picture was taken at the
Computer History Museum.
This is a 64Kbit core plane from the AN/FSQ-7,
from what we called "big mem". Big memory had 33 of these planes stacked, 32
bits and a parity bit. To give you an idea of scale, it measures just over 3
feet square. The last picture is the cabinet at McChord which contained the
33 core planes.
This Long Range Input Test Pattern Generator panel is designed to plug
into one of the Q7 frames, and may have been used at the factory. The part
number is 3087887.
I picked up a box of the same green indicator lamp assemblies used in the
LRI Test Pattern Generator, a spare switch and neon lamp socket assembly,
and an extra Start button. The socketed lamps are miniature bayonet
based, #1835 (55V). The indicator assembly number is 3105762. The dual
switch assembly number is 3105763.
Along with the green indicator assemblies, I received 3 Unit Off
indicators, with 2 mounting assemblies. There is a red plastic lens behind
the white translucent plastic. These were used on the power control
panels on each frame, as shown in the last 3 pictures. I couldn't resist
adding the lamps and sockets, and lighting it up!
This is typical pluggable unit used throughout the SAGE system. On the
underside of the handle is written, "OK C.C. 3/4/58". This is one of the
large PUs, measuring approximately 17-1/2" x 16-1/2" x 2-1/2", and has sockets
for 9 tubes. The part number is 3087283. Note: the tubes shown in
the last photo are not the correct tubes for this PU, just some old
audio tubes I had.
This is a smaller PU from the system, sans tubes. It measures 15"x12"x2-1/2",
and has a 7-pin tube socket, two 9-pin sockets and a large 8-pin socket with
cap. There are three adjustment pots, labeled Amplitude,
Centering, and Slope. The part number is 3087388, and the
label reads "D 3087388 B00086 52109 7278". This PU may have been part of the
display system.
This Weston model 921 meter appears to be the same type of meter used on the
Duplex and Simplex Maintenance Consoles, on the Marginal Checking System panel.
This particular meter did not come from a SAGE system. The next to last
photo is of the DMC at the Computer History Museum. Notice on that panel
that the meter has four screws on the faceplate, while mine has only two.
However, the last photo is of the DMC at McChord AFB, and its meter has two
screws on the faceplate.
These appear to be faceplates from some part of
the SAGE system, but I haven't been able to identify their location. They were
brand new, still in the box, and probably came from either the IBM plant at
Kingston or Poughkeepsie. The part number on the Frame Loops Test box is
3091889. The part number on the Select Output Channels box is
3091888. The part number on the O B Register box is 3091886.
This is a Programming Data Card, from April, 1965. It is
punch-card sized, and has the label, FED 299 on the bottom.
This is a 3B28 high voltage rectifier tube from the Q7. I received
this in its unopened box.
Here is a pushbutton switch assembly and a batch of numbered button caps
from the display consoles. The two console pictures were taken at the
Computer History Museum.
This is a Charactron Deflection Yoke from the large 19" tube in the display
consoles. It has IBM part number 3016011, Serial number 140, and also has
labels Type Y17-25C, 822533 and 004-46. It was manufactured by Stromberg
Carlson for IBM. They also made the 19" Charactron display tubes.
Here are some links to other sites with information about SAGE:
Return to the
Hardware page.
Return to the
Old Technology Collection page.
Last updated on
Monday, December 31, 2007
