The complete BID 770 system.  (Photo via the COMWEB Museum)

BID 770 is on the right with a Model 40 (center) for off-line encryption/decryption. It  was a British built crypto machine and was used by Canada's foreign service communicators at smaller diplomatic missions to communicate with various government departments.

TENEC was the unclassified code name used by External Affairs Canada for the following  hardware configuration: BID-770/TTB-77/Teletype Model 40 /Model 28 tape reader.

TOPIC was the British classified code word for the BID770.  TOPIC in its UK usage was intended to be used on-line. In External Affairs Canada, it was used off-line.

TheTeletype Model 40 component of the BID770. (Photo by Jerry Proc)

The Model 40 was a simple word processor with data stored on magnetic tape. It provided input/output  for a secure store and forward messaging system. The two tape drives on the right used cassettes to store data being transmitted and received. A printer provided page copy that was distributed to the message addressee.

This BID 770 crypto unit is displayed at the Bletchly Park Museum. (Courtesy Old Foreign Affairs Retired Technicians web page)

Contributors and Credits:

1) David Smith <drdee(at)sympatico.ca>
2) Old Foreign Affairs Retired Technicians web page  <http://ofarts.ca>

April 18/11