[RTTY] A message from VK0EK

[Don Hill AA5AU]

I receive email from Arliss, W7XU, who is a member of the VK0EK team. He has
been the 30M RTTY operator during the 0200-0600Z shift. He is offering
suggestions on how to work them on RTTY.

1. "Our transmit frequency is 10.137 unless there is some major reason we
have to move it. If I specify "DN 1," then I'm listening down 1. If the CQ
ends with simply "DN," then I'll be tuning as low as 10.130."

2. "To the best of my knowledge, there will be someone (very likely me) on
30 m RTTY during the 0200 - 0600 opening daily for the remainder of our stay
on Heard Island. I've noted that sometimes North American signals will go
away but then return 10 or 20 minutes later. So don't give up just because
VK0EK fades out at, say, 0300 UTC -- we are very likely still calling and
looking at North America (until 0500 UTC at least).

3. The first night conditions were very good and exchanges were very snappy.
However, when conditions become marginal, as they were at times this morning
for me, and you see me sending your call 4 times, take that as a hint that
you should send your call more than once, rather than telling me your name
is Pete (which happened this morning). If you don't see me send your call at
least once, then I very likely don't have it. On the other hand, once you
see that I have it right, don't send it half a dozen times -- you'll just
confuse me.

This is very good news for NA RTTY ops. I did ask about Europe as I
understand there is still a need there. I will relay anything I get back
from Arliss.

Good hunting!

73, Don AA5AU