>
> Aside from using "mt" as another response suggested, you might try 
> adjusting the blocksize you use, perhaps to 32K or 63K via "tar -b 64" 
> or "-b 126".  This larger blocksize helps keep the tape drive streaming.
>
> (And yes, 63K is less intuitive than 64K, but it works faster for some 
> tape drives, especially if compression is enabled.)
>
I tried that without success, any other ideas?

TIA

Arne