I have considerable experience with RTRs...

Back in 1954-56 I taped MANY HOURS off of AFN Kaiserslautern and Berlin..

Some REELS were still good after THIRTY years, but eventually, as the tape passed thru the Capstan and Pinchroller, the NOW CLEAR plastic tape kept winding around the Take/Up Reel as the MYLAR dropped off the side in a neat pile...

PFC ALVIN MARTIN, are you STILL out there somewhere, did you keep backup copies of your broadcasts???

Gene