[RTTY] AFSK vs FSK

[John Fleming]

Welcome to RTTY Barry!

The quick answers are:

1.  Properly adjusted AFSK RTTY is indistinguishable from FSK RTTY. 
However, there are many advantages of using FSK.  A couple that come 
immediately to mind are 1) You don't have to always be adjusting your sound 
card settings when switching between RTTY operating and other modes and/or 
other home use of the sound card, and 2) Knowing what frequency you're on is 
a lot more straightforward when operating FSK.

2.  Most (eh?) agree that a superb setup involves using MMTTY software and 
most 16-bit soundcards.  This setup will outperform most, if not all, 
hardware modems.  If you get way into contesting, you might find a dual 
decode setup with MMTTY/soundcard and a good hardware modem - if one misses 
a character in an exchange, the other might get it.  Don't worry about this 
if you're just starting!

3.  Finally, if you're going to contest in RTTY, do yourself a favor and 
start getting used to using WriteLog ($ but worth it) or N1MM contesting 
software - the advantages are almost innumerable!

4.  Check out www.aa5au.com and www.rttycontesting.com for much of what you 
want to know.  Other good RTTY sites are available, of course.

Welcome to the RTTY Reflector - You are at the right place!  There are many 
fine points to RTTY contesting, many details that are sure to come up with 
rig configuration, operating technique, and with the software (The 
contesting software have their own mail lists.)  Jump in - the waters fine!

73 - John, WA9ALS

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barry Murrell" <zs2ez at axxess.co.za>
To: "'RTTY Mailing List'" <RTTY at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2005 6:21 AM
Subject: [RTTY] AFSK vs FSK


> Hi All
>
> I am new to this list (and relatively new to RTTY contesting too, having
> only started on HF in February this year), and am only now getting 
> properly
> interested in RTTY contests. To date I have only dallied with RTTY, and 
> have
> had some 500 QSOs into 100 countries, all using MixW in AFSK.
>
> I suppose this question has been discussed many times, but I would really
> appreciate comments and opinions regarding the pros and cons between AFSK
> and FSK.
>
> I use a Kenwood TS-570 as my primary radio, with an Icom 706MkIIG as a
> backup. The Kenwood is equipped with a 1.8kHz INRAD SSB filter. My 
> interface
> is a homebrew unit with PTT (RTS), CW keying (DTR) and FSK (TxD) connected
> from a single COM port via optocouplers. CAT control is run from a second
> COM port.
>
> I would also appreciate any comments and suggestions (off-list) re 
> software
> and any other suggestions to improve my station. To date I have only used
> MixW (convenient as I also do a bit of PSK31, MFSK and Olivia), but have a
> number of other software packages available.
>
> Many thanks!!
>
> 73 de Barry ZS2EZ
> (EX ZR2DX / ZR6DXB)
> KF26TA - Port Elizabeth,South Africa
> Member : PEARS, SARL, ARRL, SA AMSAT
>
>
>
>
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