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Electronic off-line cryptographic system
The Gretacoder 805 was a flexible off-line cryptographic system developed and
built by Gretag (later: Gretacoder Data Systems)
in Regensburg (Switzerland) in the late 1970s.
It was a direct competitor to the Hagelin HC-530
that had a similar appearance.
Due to its modular design, different configuration of the Gretacoder 805 are
possible, ranging from large desktop systems (complete with a large printer,
tape reader and tape punches) to small suitcase systems
[1]
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The image on the right shows the suitcase version of the Gretacoder 805 with
its typical yellow colour. The main unit is microprocessor operated and has a
plain-text memory of 4000 characters, a high quality keyboard and a red
alpha-numerical display.
To the right of the display is a small plastic plug-in unit that was used
as the CIK (Crypto Ignition Key).
To the left of the keyboard is a built-in thermal column printer module covered
by a metal lid. It allows a hard copy to be made on 60 mm wide paper.
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The entire unit fits nicely inside a standard slim-line samsonite briefcase,
and was powered directly by the (230V) mains.
The Gretacoder 805 has a modular design. The thermal printer at the left
can be removed by releasing two bolts and further expansion units can
be attached on the left, right and rear, by means of a series of D-type
connectors.
An (optional) acoustic coupler was available to allow the portable unit
to transmit data over standard telephone lines according to the CCITT V21
standard. The desktop version had a V24 connection, allowing external terminals
and modems to be connected. Furthermore, a 210 mm wide printer was available
for the desktop version, along with a tape reader/perforator unit,
cassette (tap) interface, etc.
Help
Click any of the images below for a closer look.
At present, no further information about this machine is available.
As Gretacoder Data Systems is no longer in business today,
it is very difficult to obtain additional information.
A suitable manual for this machine is currently missing.
Your help will be much appreciated.
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Like the Hagelin HC-530 CRYPTOMATIC
the Gretacoder 805 was part of a family of electronic cipher machines.
Machines that are known to be compatible with the 805 are:
- Gretacoder 905 (Pocket cipher machine)
- Gretacoder 906 (Pocket cipher machine)
- Gretacoder 505 / SP300 GCA (Huge teleprinter-style cipher machine)
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Although the Gretacoder 805 is not compatible with any other brand
of cipher machines, there are some machines of the same era that show
great resemblance to it. Examples of such machines are the
Hagelin HC-530,
the Philips Miniflex
and the Philips Picoflex.
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- Jane's Military Communication 1986
ISBN: 0-7106-0824-1
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© Copyright 2009-2011, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Tue,27 Dec 2011.17:43:16
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