More DX on RTTY than PSK?

[KU0DM]

Is it just me or is there more DX on RTTY than PSK?

This morning , there was a nice 20m opening, and was working into EU on RTTY.
But the only "DX" on PSK was Canada.

:confused:

[k3wrv]

Well, I'm on the East Coast, but I see as much on PSK as RTTY. But the PSK stations do generally run less power.

de Bob

[ne3r]

I see more PSK from Western Europe these days, but everywhere else there seems to be a little more RTTY. I like my RTTY QSO's a little better though, they tend to be a little more actual conversations instead of a string of macros. I don't know why that is.

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

[nz3m]

I think there is more DX activity with RTTY, especially during the contests. As far as everyday activity, PSK wins hands down.



Dave AB3BK

[KU0DM]

I'd agree, except I don't see much day-to-day DX on PSK.

I mean, my antenna system isn't optimal, but I work into EU *almost* every morning on RTTY, but PSK is quiet.

Just thought I'd see what others had experience with.

I've been playing around with JT65A, and haven't seen much DX on that either, and it is a SUPER weak signal mode.

BTU

[nz3m]

I like my RTTY QSO's a little better though, they tend to be a little more actual conversations instead of a string of macros. I don't know why that is.



I think it's because you have to be a little faster with the typing to keep ahead of the buffer using PSK. :p It doesn't really matter, but people panic when they start to hear the dingdingding between words.

Hellschrieber is more along the line with my terrible typing, but a QSO could take an hour! :p

Dave AB3BK

[nz3m]

I'd agree, except I don't see much day-to-day DX on PSK.



Right, I should have been clearer. When I said everyday activity, I meant the usual large crowd of people. Most are stateside. There seems to always be 5-10 QSO's going on.

Dave AB3BK

[KU0DM]

JT65A takes 6 minutes for a regular exchange of

(call) KU0DM EM28QX

KU0DM (call) R-05

(call) KU0DM R-06

KU0DM (call) 73

(call) KU0DM RRR

It takes a minute for each line...I guess that's why it's near impossible to not receive a JT65 transmission! :eek:

[KU0DM]

Right, I should have been clearer. When I said everyday activity, I meant the usual large crowd of people. Most are stateside. There seems to always be 5-10 QSO's going on.

Dave AB3BK

Yep, during the TARA PSKfest the ENTIRE waterfall was filled with traces, it was crazy

[dj1yfk]

PSK31 is considerably slower than RTTY. This is an important factor for DXpeditions, who want to maximise the number of contacts (VP6DX for example announced that they will only work RTTY for that reason). The few dBs advantage of PSK31 vs. RTTY (and thereby some weaker stations that could possibly be worked) apparently don't make up for it.

I don't have much practical experience with big pileups in either RTTY or PSK31, but it may also be easier to decode signals out of the pileup in RTTY.

[nz3m]

JT65 was never intended for HF. It was developed for EME and weak signal tropo on VHF/UHF/SHF. Somewhere along the line someone desided to try it on HF. I use it from time to time on HF when the band seems closed, seems silly to me to use with strong signals.

Worked EU on 80m during the day with it! ;)

Dave AB3BK

[KU0DM]

I agree, but I just can't resist any digital mode.

If I haven't tried, I need to try it.

Need to find someone to help me test Feld-Hell, Clover, Dominoe, etc.

So many different modes to choose from...

[G0GQK]

It probably depends on the time of day when you hear the stations. As has been stated, PSK operators are using low power, an average maximum power of perhaps 30 watts into low dipoles because PSK is the communication choice for those with difficulties in having good antenna's.

The stations operating RTTY are running flat out, and don't we know it sometimes, and most probably have much better operating conditions. As an example there are 23 countries in one locator field, not including Britain and Ireland, just imagine having this many nations in EN ! This means that many, but not all, operators have very little English language knowledge, so they use macro's and are able to do what they enjoy, make contacts with others.

Another consideration is the poor operating conditions. Recently the QSB has been quick and deep, now the situation is such that if a contact isn't made quickly stations vanish, completely, and don't reappear. The PSK operating technique is very different to that which happens in the US. There is very little of the preamble which Americans generally use because of the language barrier and also because, as often happens by the time the preamble is ended, so is the contact, because you will have vanished into the ether !

In these poor conditions it is appreciated by foreign contacts that the important parts are transmitted first, your name, QTH, your IARU locator square, county and the signal report for what its worth. It may be a 5/9 when you answer but within 45 seconds it could be a 3/1 with barely a trace on the screen. When I'm told that there's QSB, I know, its been there for 20 years to my knowledge, but that's what real DX is about !

I'm on most mornings about 10.00 UTC and if there's any activity from the US I'll see it !

G0GQK

[KU0DM]

I guess that's true.

I usually run 35-40 watts on RTTY, same as I do on PSK, but how much do they usually run?

I have always found 35-40 to be enough, but have never heard what most people run on RTTY.

[nz3m]

I agree, but I just can't resist any digital mode.

If I haven't tried, I need to try it.

Need to find someone to help me test Feld-Hell, Clover, Dominoe, etc.

So many different modes to choose from...

For HELL you can try the sprints. That's usually when I hear activity. They are the third Saturday of every month, from 1500 - 1700Z.

See rules and exchange here

http://www.wa6l.com/contests/


Dave AB3BK

[kr2d]

I see a fair number of Europeans on PSK31 on 20m. I'm on the East Coast, and I know EU is not as easily heard further inland. More than once, 8, 9 or 0 land stations have stomped on EU stations that they obviously cannot hear.

Part of the problem is that PSK31 ops park the VFO on 14.070 and never move it, just clicking on the waterfall to QSY. When the band is open, that results in hundreds of signals crammed into a relatively small slice of spectrum, and the DX becomes unworkable due to stronger stateside stations (my 50 Hz filter is useless when the QRM is on top of the DX). SPREAD OUT for Pete's sake! RTTY ops have no problem spinning the VFO, I don't understand why PSK31 ops won't do it.

And don't get me started on the multi kilobyte macros detailing the computer and weather, and the unending 73's and best wishes to each member of your family and their dog, and you're in the log #XXX at date and time...

Sorry for the rant - I really like PSK and the other digimodes, but there are some annoying practices that have become prevalent.

[kr2d]

I guess that's true.

I usually run 35-40 watts on RTTY, same as I do on PSK, but how much do they usually run?

I have always found 35-40 to be enough, but have never heard what most people run on RTTY.

Normally 25-30 watts, but I'll do 75-100 watts in contests or to bust a pileup. It's touchy to adjust everything right for a clean signal when running AFSK at maximum smoke. I've started working on a true FSK interface that will help - just have to get time to finish it, hopefully before the CQ WW RTTY WPX on 9-10 Feb.

[kn4lf]

Is it just me or is there more DX on RTTY than PSK?

This morning , there was a nice 20m opening, and was working into EU on RTTY.
But the only "DX" on PSK was Canada.

:confused:
I'm very active on most digital modes and I personally see and work more DX daily on PSK31 then on RTTY. RTTY is the big contest mode though, I had allot of fun in the BARTG test this past weekend.

[k0dxc]

Is it just me or is there more DX on RTTY than PSK?

This morning , there was a nice 20m opening, and was working into EU on RTTY.
But the only "DX" on PSK was Canada.

:confused:

I have no idea, I personally bet that there is more dx on CW then RTTY and PSK combined, however, I do hope to "test" out digi stuff when I get a new radio, probably a K3

[KU0DM]

I have no doubt there is more DX on CW, not sure about more than PSK and RTTY combined.

You'll like it, trust me.

If you aren't chasing DX on digital modes, it can be really relaxing.

Sometimes after a hard day, just like to come home, fire up the rig, and listen to my iPod as I make some digital contacts.

Certainly fulfills the meaning of the hobby for me, relaxing.

BTU