[RTTY] Growth of RTTY

[Dale Sinner]

Computers, software, and advanced modems played a big part in the RTTY 
explosion over the last few years but let us not forget our humble 
beginning. A little WW publication called the RTTY Journal played a big 
role in the beginning. Dedicated RTTY hams like myself kept the fraternity 
informed through this publicaton. This little publication sponsored RTTY 
art contests WW and the CQWW contest which is the most renowned of all RTTY 
contests. Each month RTTY hams submitted their columns for publication. 
They covered subjects such as DXing, Contesting, VHF RTTY, Packet and 
published the results contest results from all contests world wide. There 
were also many construction articles. The RTTY Journal sponsored the RTTY 
forum at Dayton and for many years a hospitality suite with help from 
others and organized the RTTY dinner at Dayton. Ask any ham who has been 
around a few years and he'll tell you how much he learned at these events 
and how many fellow RTTYers he met long the way. Yes, computers, software, 
and advanced modems played a big part in the growth but without the above 
mentioned where would we be today. I could go on about how some of 
manufacturers took notice of our suggestions at Dayton for improvements to 
their radios that enhanced RTTY. The beginning was not as smooth as I just 
made it sound but it helped get to where we are today. Thanks for allowing 
me this bandwidth.

If you are interested in reading more about RTTY over the years, contact 
Wayne Matlock, K7WM, at k7wm at i10net.com. Wayne has the archives of the RTTY 
Journal on CD.

73
Dale Sinner, W6IWO