A 12-MHz 6500-bit plated-wire memory system is described and properties discussed that show feasibility for application in a time-compression multiplex analog transmission system. The requirements for an assumed ten-channel time-compression multiplex system (TCM) are that 720 words of 9 bits each be written sequentially at a 12-MHz rate and the 720 words be read out at the same rate but in a different sequence. This process of serial write and serial read is continuous as coded samples are taken from each of the ten input channels. The important properties of the memory system described in detail are the generation and steering of the one-ampere word current of 30-ns duration, the effect of the short- duration word current on memory write, and the signal-to-noise ratio achieved using beam-lead diode matrix word selection and beam-lead tantalum film digit detectors.