[Mldxcc] ARRL RTTY Roundup

[Robert Hess]

Hello MLDXCC'ers,

This weekend is the ARRL RTTY Roundup.  It's a once a year contest where everyone works everyone on all bands.  This is a NCCC focus contest, so I encourage everyone to support the big club.  When you submit your score, it goes to NCCC (assuming you're a member).

If you've never done a RTTY contest, it's easy chair, low pressure contesting for a beginner.  I find it a lot of fun and a low-fatigue way of contesting.  No headphones necessary and even no speaker necessary.

I'm no expert on RTTY contesting (we do have experts in the Club, such as Jeff, WK6I) but I'll pass on a few random comments, should you want to get your feet wet this weekend:

1 - Most RTTY contesters use Writelog, followed by N1MM as their logging software.  I'm not sure just what other logging programs easily accommodate RTTY.  With Writelog, you watch the screen, click on the call sign, then click on the exchange, both yours and the other guy's.  You can do the entire contest with just one hand on the mouse if you want to.

2 - If you want to just play around, you can download MMTTY for free.

http://www.aa5au.com/gettingstarted/rtty_downloadmmtty.htm


I'm showing AA5AU's website for download information because this is the best site around for beginning RTTY'ers.  It walks you through everything.

MMTTY is not a logging program.  It is built into logging programs like Writelog, but you can also use it as a stand-alone RTTY operating program.  It won't log the contest; it won't tell you that the guy you worked is a dupe, but it will let you work the station and then you manually log the contact.  It's an easy way to get started if you don't have a contest logging program that accommodates RTTY.

3 - Many amps don't like the kind of duty cycle you have with RTTY, especially if you're running.  I run my amps at slightly below 1 KW, and I know W6SR will tell me I'm pushing an AL-1200 and Henry 3KD with that kind of power on RTTY.  I'd run a SB-220 at 500-750 watts and a SB-200 at 300-400 watts.

4 - There are two ways to transmit a RTTY signal.  You can use AFSK of FSK.  

AFSK depends on audio from your sound card, which is fed into your transmitter, via the microphone input or an auxiliary input.  

FSK allows your computer to key the transmitter directly, via a simple interface between the computer and the FSK input on your transceiver (assuming it has an input for FSK).  

I use FSK but the easiest way to get started is to use AFSK.  If you use AFSK, however, watch your levels and TURN OFF YOUR MICROPHONE PROCESSOR.

5 - Receiving RTTY is really simple, if you just want to see what happens in a RTTY contest.  You can connect the speaker output, or preferably a line level output, directly into your computer sound card.  Load MMTTY, read AA5AU's tutorial, and watch the fun.  It's more fun, however, to actually be in the contest, transmitting and receiving RTTY.

There's probably much more to add and other club members can feel free to jump in if you want.  And, since I'm no expert, feel free to correct anything I mentioned.

The contest starts this Saturday, at 10 AM local time and ends at 4 PM local time on Sunday.  It's a 30 hour contest; entrants are limited to 24 hours of operation.  

The exchange is state/province and signal report or serial number/signal report for DX.

I plan on making at least 500 Q's this weekend.  If anyone wants to do some operating from my station during the contest, just let me know.  If you want to do a test prior to the contest, let me know.  If you have any questions, give me a ring, but remember that I am not the expert!

Bob
W1RH