[abc80] Copying ABC-80 data tapes

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

Hi

I hope English is acceptable for this list (I can write in Danish, but my
written Swedish is quite broken).

Last year, my brothers and I inherited an ABC-80, along with a fairly large
number of data tapes (as well as some interesting paper items, e.g.,
advertisements, purchase order, etc.). The computer is presumably in
working condition, though we haven't tested it yet (it hasn't been turned
on for several decades).

The Danish computer museum isn't interested in the computer itself, but
they don't have much software, and would like the data tapes. Since we
would like to be able to use the computer, we are not too keen on simply
giving the tapes away, so we would like to duplicate them.

My brothers and I work with software development, so we can handle what's
on the screen, but we're total newbies when it comes to the hardware. I've
read up on the general potential issues with the physical tapes (mold,
brittleness, etc.), but I haven't been able to find much on the actual data
format/copying. Therefore, I would like to ask:
1. Can the data tapes for the ABC-80 be duplicated using a normal, two-tape
audio deck?
2. If not, does anyone here have any experience or alternatives for
duplicating the tapes?
3. Is there anything we should be particularly aware of when turning on the
ABC-80 for the first time in decades? (I've seen some videos of old record
players, indicating that the rubber parts in the tape module might need
replacing, but I have no idea about the computer itself.)

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,
Christian Ankerstjerne