Question regarding the transmitter mechanism

DikkeBoktor · #1

Hello everybody,

I've picked up a Lorenz model 15 from a second hand shop in questionable condition, and I've been trying to get the machine back in working order.
I started with cleaning and rebuilding the keyboard and transmitter mechanism. It's so much fun figuring out how the machine works and I'm amazed at the ingenuity and also the build quality.

Something I haven't been able to find any information on this little wheel on the left of the transmitter mechanism. It looks to me like it might be used to encode the signal, or perhaps to modify special characters? you can slide the little spring-loaded extrusions to blocking- or non-blocking positions.

Does anyone know what the wheel is used for? Here's an image of the mechanism:
Bild

This is what the rest of the machine looks like.. Someone spraypainted it at some point.
Bild

#2

That's the answerback drum. On this drum the machine's IID is hardcoded.
When establishing a connection you ask "Who are you?" with "figures D" key that triggers the distant machine to automatically send its own ID.
On the other hand you can use it also as "Here is" to identify yourself in a connection.

DikkeBoktor · #3

So it prints your IID on the other end and vice versa like a user ID for manually confirming you've reached the correct machine.
Thanks for the explanation DF3OE!

#4

Exactly.
Search for i-Telex videos on YouTube.
There you can see how a Telex connection works, with exchange of answerbacks

Generally you exchange answerbacks at beginning and end of a connection.