[RTTY] Change in pileup procedure?

[Nelson Moyer]

Positioning your call in a clear spot and a send delay does work with FT5ZM.
It was easier on 20 meters with a 20 KHz split than on 15 with a 10 MHz
split, and 17 was tough with a 5 MHz split, but I'm in the log on all three
bands. The only band with solid print and no garbage was 15 meters. Here is
the text for the 20 and 17 meter QSOs.

20 Meters

XKU0A KU0A KU0A
KU0APKU0A 599-599 KU0A BK STU 599 599 KU0A
KU0A TU FT5ZM UP WXVW3GH W$&# 599-599 W3GH BK 

17 Meters

MKEKU0A KU0A KU0A
ERLVVIVK G0- 599-599 KU0A BK XQTU 599 599 KU0A
W
JU A  T IURADAQNWILPGMEPPQIPPPVIPPI

Even when you don't have solid print, they can frequently hear you. I'm in
Eastern Iowa, so there's no easy path to FT5ZM.

Nelson, KU0A

-----Original Message-----
From: RTTY [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Kai
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2014 11:30 AM
To: rtty at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RTTY] Change in pileup procedure?

Phil,
When our club station was down (with neither the kilowatt not RTTY
unavailable), 
I hooked up my FT-817 (with Signalink-USB)  to our excellent club antennas,
and 
worked few DXpeditions on several bands in RTTY at 5 W. I listened for a 
considerable time first, learning how the pileup was distributed. Then
before 
transmitting, I waited a few seconds after the DX station began listening,
and 
transmitted in a clear spot (that's why you wait - to make sure its a clear 
spot) near the upper edge of the pileup. It did not take many tries to get
him, 
even with 5 W (but with good Yagi antennas).

The key was to pick a clear spot, delay transmission for a few seconds to
make 
sure you are in the clear. If you are in the clear, the DX station will find

you. Also, NEVER call when he's in QSO. This is not like contest operating
at 
all. It's about patiently and strategically placing your transmissions where
you 
think the DX op will have the best chance of hearing them.

This might not work for FT5ZM or other nearly-antipodal locations in the
South 
Indian Ocean because there is not enough link margin to begin with. But if
you 
can hear them loudly, there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to hear
you 
- if you successfully pick a clear spot.

Good luck, 73,
Kai, KE4PT