[RTTY] RTTY vs PSK31 on Field Day

[Bob Burns W9BU]

On 2/23/2017 11:44 PM, Tim Goeppinger via RTTY wrote:
> I would like to write a letter to QST to hopefully get published by Field Day.   My concern is that the North Americanhams have taken a wrong turn about 15 years ago for digital modes for ARRL Field Day.   Somehow, PSK31 becamethe de facto mode for digital in Field Day.

Tim, I wish you well with your letter. But, I think it will fail.

I think the basic reason why PSK31 is more popular on FD than RTTY is 
that we have so many new hams who are into "sound card digital" modes, 
such as PSK31 and they know nothing of RTTY. All they have heard about 
during their ham careers is sound card modes. When was the last time you 
saw an article in QST or CQ Magazine about RTTY? How many articles did 
you see that talked about other, more modern digital modes?

I know of a whole group of new hams who live near me who even eschew 
PSK31. The only sound card digital mode they attempt to use is JT65 
which may be great for weak signal contacts (a plus for hams who are 
antenna challenged), but it's lousy for contesting.

As a result, I think the average club putting together their FD station 
thinks that they need a PSK31 station in order to attract and interest 
new hams long before they think about a RTTY station.

With regard to the alleged emergency communications aspects of FD, 
neither RTTY or PSK31 are a good idea since neither one is an 
error-correcting mode. Yes, in a true emergency, amateur radio may be 
called upon to move data. But, there are other more robust modes that 
would be used instead of PSK31 or RTTY.

To folks who see FD as a contest, yes, RTTY makes a lot of sense. But, 
not everybody sees FD as a contest. Some clubs emphasize the fellowship, 
education, and gluttony aspects of FD and just try to have a good time.

Bob...