[RTTY] RTTY below 14072, 21072

[Bill, W6WRT]

On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:15:11 -0700, AA7V wrote:

>Greetings,
>Ok, here is ur dumb question of the day.
>I am guessing the signals I am hearing on or about 14072 and 21072 are PSK.
>I am correct?
Yes, and you will hear other modes such as JT65 and MFSK between there and
14080.
>
>2nd & 3rd (dumb) questions, I rarely hear any RTTY below this noise. 
>Why do RTTY contesters rarely go below this noise to operate even though the band plan says no issue?
Contesters pretty much avoid that area because there area lot of PSK non-contest
stations on. In a major contest you will find a few RTTY'ers down there but not
many, and even a few below that. 
>
>If I call CQ below this noise, will I (1) get answers (2) be in any violation of the so-called band plans?
You might get a few answers but you will do much better between 14080 and 14100.
Here is the ARRL band plan:  http://www.arrl.org/band-plan-1  I believe there is
an error on the 20 meter section. Where it says "RTTY" it should say
"RTTY/DATA". You will do much better staying above 14080.

>
>I am trying to make certain I am within the rules for the upcoming rtty ww and as far as I know, I can operate below 14072, 21072.
In a major contest you will find stations spread out much more than usual. Do
tune around for them, but I recommend avoiding 14070 to 14080. Too many other
non-contest modes hang out there. 
>
>Thanks in advance
>Steve aa7v

73, Bill W6WRT