RTTY CONTESTING 20 March 2005 Mike Sims, K4GMH PVRC CONTESTING SEMINAR (GETTING STARTED)

RTTY CONTESTING b TO BE COVERED Getting started on RTTYGetting started on RTTY Getting started in RTTY ContestingGetting started in RTTY Contesting AdditionsAdditions

GETTING STARTED ON RTTY - Equipment b Radio Capability ReceiverReceiver –External Speaker Connection, or –Independent Audio Output TransmitterTransmitter –Audio Frequency Shift Keying (AFSK) –Independent Audio Input (preferred), and/or –Microphone Input –Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) Input (not a necessity)

b Computer Sound CardSound Card –Line In (preferred), or –Microphone Input –AFSK –Line Out (preferred), or –Speaker Output –FSK –Serial Communication Port or USB to Serial Adapter Software (RTTY)Software (RTTY) –Compatible with Computer GETTING STARTED ON RTTY - Equipment (cont.)

b Interconnection Between Receiver, Transmitter and Computer Source of Information for Connecting Radios to Computers Can Be Found at: and is titled “Understanding Soundcard Interfacing”Source of Information for Connecting Radios to Computers Can Be Found at: and is titled “Understanding Soundcard Interfacing” GETTING STARTED ON RTTY - Equipment

RTTY CONTESTING - Getting Started b Equipment Receive Filters (400 Hz - XTAL or DSP)Receive Filters (400 Hz - XTAL or DSP) Computer Control (Computer Aided Tuning - CAT)Computer Control (Computer Aided Tuning - CAT) Radio w/ Readily Programmable MemoriesRadio w/ Readily Programmable Memories Transmitter Able to Maintain Power Level During RTTY Transmission % Duty CycleTransmitter Able to Maintain Power Level During RTTY Transmission % Duty Cycle SO2R HelpsSO2R Helps RTTY S/W Compatible w/ Contest Logging S/WRTTY S/W Compatible w/ Contest Logging S/W

b Source of RTTY Contest Information “RTTY Records and Rules” Records and Rules” RTTY CONTESTING - Contests

b Choose the Contests Your CapabilitiesYour Capabilities Equipment CapabilitiesEquipment Capabilities b Operate in Contests - Even for Practice Understand RTTY Exchange Vs Other ModesUnderstand RTTY Exchange Vs Other Modes Number of Participants in Different ContestsNumber of Participants in Different Contests RTTY CONTESTING - Contests

b Operate in Contests - Even for Practice (cont.) Learn to Tune-In a RTTY Signal in a ContestLearn to Tune-In a RTTY Signal in a Contest Frequencies and Frequency RangeFrequencies and Frequency Range –80 meters: 3570 to 3615 KHz (JA 3520 to 3525 KHz) –40 meters: 7030 to 7100 KHz –20 meters: to KHz –15 meters: to KHz –10 meters: to KHz –No 160 meter and WARC Band RTTY Contesting RTTY CONTESTING - Contests

b Operate in Contests - Even for Practice (cont.) Club ScoreClub Score –PVRC 5 Million Points Eligibility –WAEDC RTTY –ARRL RTTY Roundup (Should BE!) Other ReasonsOther Reasons –RTTY World Ranking List RTTY CONTESTING - Contests

b Operate in Contests - Even for Practice (cont.) Other Reasons (cont.)Other Reasons (cont.) –RTTY-Contest-Scene RTTY Top-Ten Trophy 2005 –Trophy to Top Ten in SO and MO RTTY CONTESTING - Contests

b Tune Filters DSP Filters in the RTTY S/W Pre-recorded.wav Files Under Various Conditions (see NCJ March/April 2005)Pre-recorded.wav Files Under Various Conditions (see NCJ March/April 2005) PathSim from AE4JY Web Site to Generate FilesPathSim from AE4JY Web Site to Generate Files b Dual Soundcards or Other Dual RTTY Decoding Use Same Signal SourceUse Same Signal Source Output of Each Decoder is Displayed SeparatelyOutput of Each Decoder is Displayed Separately RTTY CONTESTING - Additions