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Rola Auto-Q

The Rola Auto-Q was designed as an add-on to the Mk II and Mk III series tape recorders giving a low cost solution to automatic tape cueing. "This unit is intended mainly for use in radio stations so that they can, for example, pre-record all their commercials for a weekend on a tape and cue them were required. Then on replay the operator has started the tape, he can concentrate entirely on the operation to follow the taped programme."

When the Auto-Q was released (early 1963) tape cartridge machines were not widely used in Australia unlike the USA. I believe that the first Australian made cartridge machine was the Cuemaster 700

The Auto-Q inserts a 30Hz pilot tone on programme material which is then recorded, at a cue point the pilot tone is broken for a half a second. On replay the Auto-Q filters out the 30Hz pilot tone from the programme material and if there is break in the tone for more than half a second the Auto-Q operates the STOP function on the tape transport.

Following their purchase of Rola Plessey continued to manufacture the Auto-Q, re-badged as a Plessey Auto-Q.

Rola supplied a product called the ROLA AUTO STATION which was an early form of automated programming for radio stations. A major component was the Rola Auto-Q automatic cueing system.

All of the technical information I have for the Rola Auto-Q was kindly provided by Ian Jackson who assisted in the design while on vacation employment which was a requirement to complete his engineering studies.