Details:
At first sight this little machine isn’t very impressive. It lacks the large amount of buttons, switches and levers spread all over the machine as you find them on many high end machines of competitors. However, it appears to be a very capable machine. Inside I noticed the absence of adjustments. The Hamann 505 and Friden SBT10 for example have many adjustments. The Olympia ...... I found only three and they are simple ones not being mutually related.
Contrary to most other machines, the right register (reg. II) does not count the number of operations. It can be used like reg III for addition and subtraction. So, there are two independent registers to work with.
Furthermore back transfer is possible from each of these two register to the input register (reg I). This also makes it possible to transfer a number from reg III to II and v.v. There is also an 8-digit memory. It is located at reg II and can be connected to reg II when desired. Once connected, a clear of reg II moves its original contents to that memory. Back transfer and memory make this a very flexible machine, suitable for complex calculations without writing down intermediate results.
Apparently two RA16 versions exist. A brochure shows a version without the button “= III” which clears reg III in advance of the multiplication. My version has the extra button.
(*) In 1965/1966 more and more electronic calculators became available, but at prices much higher than this RA16.
Usage:
Addition/subtraction:
As usual using the “+” and “-” keys. Reg. III (left reg.) as well as II (right reg.) can be used. For that purpose the arrow keys in the left part of the keyboard allow the carriage to be moved to the centre for calculation in reg. III or to the left for calculation in reg. II.
Multiplication:
Enter 1st number, push the ‘X’-button. The 1st number appears in reg II.
Enter the 2nd number, then push one of the following keys:
- the “=”-key to add the result to reg.III
- the red “=”- key to subtract the result from reg.III
- the “=III” key clears reg. III and then stores the result in reg. III
Remark: The carriage is automatically positioned in the proper positions.
Division
Enter the 1st number, then push the “:”-key, next enter the 2nd number and then the “<---“-key . The result is put in reg. II.
Remark: The carriage is automatically positioned in the proper positions.
Function of some keys, switches etc:
- Left part of the keyboard:
- Left-arrow on top: Moves the carriage from the right to the left in order to calculate in reg.II
- Left-arrow-with-dot: Moves the carriage from the right to the centre position in order to calculate in reg.III
- Right-arrow: A short press moves the carriage from the left to the centre position in order to calculate in reg.III.
Adjacent presses move the carriage one tab position - Arrow-down: Back transfer from reg III or II to the input register.
Note: For a back transfer the input register I must be cleared in advance.
- R: Repeat key. Inhibits clearance of the input register (a.o. useful to calculate a square)
- Two levers on the carriage:
- When pulled down the left lever connects reg.II with the memory. If now reg II is cleared, it’s contents is moved to memory (i).
A multiplication will also transfer the reg II contents to memory. (ii) - The right lever:
- If the left lever is in down position, the right lever copies the contents of the memory to reg. II
- If the left lever is positioned upward, the right lever clears the memory.
Notes:
- Small red bars on the right of each reg II digit indicate that there is a value present in memory (see photo above).
- The memory is primarily intended to store a constant in case of repeated multiplication.
Function of all keys, switches etc:
See the assets page of this machine
Red bars indicate: value in memory
Transport lever
Click to view a full size picture (opens in a new tab)
Serial number:
Built in:
Functions:
Rotation speed:
Market-introduction:
Production until:
Price:
14-07255
Ca. 1964 ?
Addition, Subtraction, Full automatic Multiplication, Division, Back transfer. Also contains a memory.
430
1960
1965? (It still appears in the 1967/1968 of Büromaschinen Lexikon (*)
DM 2690,- (Source: Büromaschinen Lexikon)
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