P/N 1385072 - Model F Keyboard Details & Specs
| TypeType A designation from my own type naming scheme used to categorise this keyboard with or from others by their common features and market intent but may/may not be derived from official names. |
Model F 122-key TEMPEST EM-Dampened Converged Keyboard |
| NicknameNickname A [keyboard enthusiast] community given name for this keyboard. It can be a shortening of its name and properties, a more abstract term, a real-life reference, or metonymy. |
Battleship |
| Known Host SystemsKnown Host Systems A list of known host systems this keyboard could be bundled with or at least designed specifically to operate with. This could be terminals, desktop PCs or laptops. |
IBM 4456 TEMPEST PC III (IBM 3270 PC family) |
| OEMOEM Possible companies responsible for making this keyboard for the company marketing it. |
IBM U.S. |
| Key-switchesKey-switches The name of the known switching mechanism that lies under this keyboard's keys. |
IBM capacitive buckling springs |
| Earliest AppearanceEarliest Appearance The year (and possibly the quarter) that this keyboard part number was introduced, first observed, first recorded or the first example found. |
1986 |
| Original KeycapsOriginal Keycaps The keyboard's original keycaps' material and text/symbol printing technique. |
PBT with dye-sublimated legends |
| Casing ColourCasing Colour The original colour of this keyboard's outer casing. For keyboards whose casing materials are known to yellow, this will refer to the original colour before such transformation occurs. |
Pearl White |
| BrandingBranding The possible branding and logo styles found on this keyboard part number. This could be multiple styles at once or possible styles found over time. |
IBM silver square badge |
| FeetFeet The style of this keyboard's flip-out or extendable feet. If applicable, this may also state how many levels of height adjustment are available and whether the feet could be rubberised. |
Dual-setting riser feet |
| ProtocolProtocol The protocol(s) this keyboard can use to speak to the host computer (eg, scancode sets). |
IBM scancode set 3 |
| ConnectionConnection The keyboard-to-host connection. This is could be a description of a cable (its colour, whether its coiled, whether its detachable, and what connector is at its end) or the name of a wireless technology. |
Grey coiled-style fixed DE-9 cable |
| Key CountKey Count The number of keys that this keyboard originally had. |
122 |
| Form FactorForm Factor The standardised or universally acknowledged name for this keyboard's layout form factor. |
120% |
Layout/LanguageLayout/Language The original regional/language layout this keyboard was configured as. Both the language and the standardised key layout may be listed, and in the case of both being known or defined, it will be styled as language then standard. |
US English |
| Additional NotesAdditional Notes Extra notes about this keyboard that may be of interest or are important to know. |
"PFxx" command key block |
| Source(s)Source(s) Documents ("Doc"), websites and/or webpages ("Web") that were used as a source of information for this keyboard part number. Examples of this keyboard part number I own ("ASK") will also be included as sources. |
Doc: IBM Personal System/2 and IBM Personal Computer Product Reference Version 4.0 (#102682986) [source: bitsavers] Web: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/version-ibm-model-tpc-keyboard-iii-3873879334 |
| Data Last Updated | 2023-08-04 |
More on this type of keyboard...
The IBM 4456 TEMPEST PC III (aka, TPC III or TPC3) was a version of the IBM 3270 Personal Computer that had been 'TEMPESTed' to be compliant with the shielding specification of codename TEMPEST, a NATO-recognised U.S. National Security Agency specification regarding protecting against spying with electronic equipment. In particular, they were designed to not radiate electromagnetic emanations to counter Van Eck phreaking. It's presently unclear when the 4456 was released, but the sole keyboard example found was made in 1986.
As its host system is a variant of an existing IBM terminal emulator PC with a 122-key Model F Converged Keyboard (the IBM 5271's Converged Keyboard), the TPC Keyboard III retains the general characteristics of that keyboard. It was a 122-key Model F Converged Keyboard variant with a 24-key program function key bank with "PFxx" nomenclature legends. It also retained the two-setting riser feet that are side accessible to allow the user to change typing angle. However, instead of using a coiled cable terminated with a 240-degree 5-pin DIN plug, the TPC Keyboard III has a straight cable with a DE-9 connector much like other TPC keyboards. Despite the different connector, it's possible the TPC Keyboard III still uses IBM scancode set 3 as EMR II/other TPC keyboards can be passively adapted to the connector of their non-TEMPEST counterparts. The original IBM 5271 keyboard had an 8-position DIP switch bank and it appears that was retained for the TPC Keyboard III, albeit with an additional cover piece. Another difference compared to other "F122s" is that TPC Keyboard III used a 1-unit backspace key and a 2.25-unit left shift key instead of 2-unit and 1.25-unit keys respectively.
