ARRL RTTY Roundup
Call: K7IA
Operator(s): K7IA
Station: K7IA
Class: Single Op HP
QTH: NM
Operating Time (hrs): 14.43
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
80: 143
40: 169
20: 327
15: 279
10: 25
------------
Total: 943 State/Prov = 54 Countries = 38 Total Score = 86,756
Club:
Comments:
Last summer, I began writing a Primer whose purpose was to acquaint RTTY
contesters, both new and "experienced" with the basics of Baudot Radioteletype
(RTTY) and how to employ it in contesting. After extensive review by worldwide
RTTY contesters and neophytes alike, I made the paper available via email
request. Many have asked for copies, and all of their subsequent feedback has
overwhelmingly been more than positive. Alas, the number of operators flooding
into the ranks of RTTY contesting exceeds the number of requests for the
Primer,
and the result, for me, is a precipitous decline in my interest in battling the
average RTTY op for a "clean" and satisfying contest QSO.
I therefore offer a copy of my paper to anyone who asks for it. It is in .pdf
format, 40 pages long, and packed with descriptions of how "teletype" works,
why
radioteletype is completely unlike the more modern digital modes (other than
they all use QWERTY keyboards), how the radioteletype operator can at least
minimize the effects of garbles caused by atmospherics and QRM, and a host of
other lore and tips useful to the contester.
To whet your appetite, read the paper and learn:
1. Learn that there is far more to "5-level" Baudot Code-driven radioteletype
than simply interfacing some computer software to a radio and getting on the
air. RTTY is considerably unlike the modern digital modes, none of which were
originally based upon mechanical keyboard/printing machines. If you are
willing
to simply "plug and play" without knowing anything about the communications
mode
you are using, then you may as well be a phone operator who contributes to the
QRM, splatter, and loose exchange procedures.
2. Learn that Baudot RTTY is not error correcting and is so susceptible to
garbled printing characters and control functions that the good RTTY operator
must think and consider the operator at the other end more than he thinks of
himself.
3. Learn that the "5-level" Baudot Code, used by the Teletype machine (and
computer emulators) can encode no more than 32 distinct combinations--far too
many to transmit or receive 26 letters, plus 10 numerals, plus essential
punctuation characters. Learn how the designers of the TTY machine worked
around that obstacle, even though it caused garbles to go hand in hand with
radioteletype communication.
In other words, when you press a keyboard key, learn why its corresponding
character may NOT "print" on the other operator's screen. Learn some maneuvers
that will at least minimize such misprints that will help the other contester
log your QSO accurately.
4. Learn how computer logging software (and the operator's eye) "parses"
incoming contest callsigns and exchange data and how you can improve parsing
for
the other operator.
5. Understand that the more characters and numerals that are sent in a
radioteletype circuit the greater is the chance of a garble destroying the
fidelity of one or many subsequent characters. Then learn how to construct
contest exchanges that are not only faster to send but also minimize the number
and effects of natural garbles. Learn also that quick and efficient contest
exchanges minimize QRM in pileups, improve QSO rates for all operators, and
improve logging accuracy.
6. Learn why, for example, while sending RST as "5NN" makes perfect sense in
CW
contests, it make absolutely no sense at all in a RTTY contest. It not only
takes more time, but it also increases the risk of garbles. Similarly, learn
why it makes no sense to send, in the RTTY RU contest, an exchange in the
format
"599 -- NM -- NM" or similar. Just as a surgeon "signs" his work, an operator
who uses constructs like these demonstrates his lack of knowledge of his chosen
mode.
7. Understand why adding a lot of superflous information to the required
contest exchange, which I term "fluff," not only adds nothing useful, but it
worsens the chance of garbles, QRMs the Running frequency, and slows things
down
for all of the operators. Examples of "fluff" are Q-signals (as in asking the
other op "QSL?" It goes without saying that the other op will either
acknowledge or ask you to repeat.); prosigns ("K" "KN" "SK" and "DE" which
really isn't a prosign. In amateur RTTY, everyone knows when it's his turn to
transmit--just listen to the other guy, and when his mark tone disappears, then
it's our turn. The only ops who should send "DE" or "SK" are those living in
Delaware or Saskatchewan!); greetings ("GL" "73" etc., and worse, sending my
name to me. I already know my name! Just send whatever is needed and no
more);
etc. You get the idea.
8. Regarding contesting lore, learn and understand the difference between
Running Mode and Search and Pounce Mode, how and why they are different, and
how
the QSO gets bogged down when one or the other forgets who is who (usually it's
the S&P op who is the culprit).
9. Learn some tricks that will help you work the Running Op in a pileup--even
a
RTTY pileup.
10. And much more.
For you experienced RTTY ops, as I'm certain most of you who read 3830 posts
are, I hope you will help yourselves to a copy, too. It isn't copyrighted, so
you may feel free to share it with your club and others you may be Elmering.
You may also do as I have done--jot down the callsigns of ops you encounter in
contests and email a copy to them. They may reply to you (or to me). I have
yet to receive a negative response. On the contrary, the replies are along the
lines of "thanks for the help," indicating that ops really want to do better if
there were just a way to learn how. You can help them, too!
To get a copy, just drop me an email: k7ia@arrl.net and use a reply email
address that doesn't require me to sign in to something. I'm retired, the wx
has been too cold for antenna work here, and I'm getting over a cold, so you
won't wait very long for my reply!
73, dan k7ia
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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