[RTTY] RTTY contesting and HamStationUltra

[Don Hill AA5AU]

The spectrum scope software looks very interesting.  I wish they had it for the TS-870.

I've been using the Icom IC-756 PRO III with spectrum scope for a few years now.  It does take some getting used to when S&P in a
RTTY contest.  When I first started using it, I kept looking at the scope and tuning to the next signal.  That is not the way to do
it.  Tuning on RTTY should always be done by ear first, then by sight, unless you are hearing impaired.  The best way to tune S&P
with a spectrum scope is to watch for signals you are tuning towards but listen for signals before you get to the one you see.  Some
weaker signals may be covered up on the scope.  If the signal you are tuning towards, that you see on the scope, disappears then
stop where you last saw the signal and wait a few seconds.  If the signal doesn't come back, then continue tuning to the next signal
you see.  If the signal that disappeared then reappears after you've passed it, then go back quickly and tune it in.

When I first started S&P with a spectrum scope, I had a tendency to skip around the band.  It's much better if you tune just as you
would if you didn't have a scope, then just use the scope as an aid.

The biggest advantage of a spectrum scope is to do quick checks on bands to see if there are signals present.  RTTY signals are
fairly easy to spot since they are constantly shifting.

A spectrum scope IS a valuable tool when RTTY contesting.

73, Don AA5AU
http://www.aa5au.com
http://www.rttycontesting.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Stu Ritter
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 11:04 AM
To: RTTY Reflector
Subject: [RTTY] RTTY contesting and HamStationUltra

I've done a couple of RTTY contests in mainly Search & Pounce mode while getting my "feet wet". My rig is a TS-2000 in FSK.
The HamStationUltra program has a spectrum scope and to my thinking this would make a great deal of sense for how I work RTTY
contests. Wondering if anyone has any experience either with the program itself or using a band scope in Search & Pounce technique.
I use N1MM as my contest program with MMTTY.

thanks,

Stu
N0LEF
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