Best software for RTTY?

[KE5KZX]

I've been using Digipan on PSK31 for the past several months, with excellent results. I would like to start operating on RTTY and would like some recommendations for the best software for this mode.

I run a "peanut whistle" station; my rig for digital and CW is a FT-897D feeding a horizontal loop in the apartment's attic through a MFJ-949E tuner. I can work anyone I hear on PSK31 with 35 watts, but will I need more power for RTTY?

Thanks!

Dennis - KE5KZX

[AG3Y]

I humbly believe that the MMTTY program ( the full program, not just the "engine&quot is the best program that has been developed for that mode. With the complete program, you can "tweak" your parameters and adjust the type of demodulator you are emulating, the bandpass and "Q" of the filters involved, etc. etc. It is really a software DSP system that was written before the term really became well known or popular!

There are other programs out there that do an acceptable job with RTTY, but MMTTY is still the best, in my books!

Power requirements for RTTY are really not that much greater than they are for PSK-31. You will hear higher powered stations on the air, but you should do just fine with 35 watts and a loop in the attic. You will have to remember that RTTY is highly dependent on the tones being the right phase. If the shift is "upside down" everything will seem to be right, but you will get nothing but gibberish on the printout! You become used to the proper tuning procedure very quickly! You should probably use a narrower filter setting in your radio, and tune the dial to pick up different stations, rather than clicking on a waterfall as is usually done with PSK-31. This is a little slower, but provides better results!

I hope you enjoy RTTY. Feel free to PM me if you would like more help in setting up the mode.

73, Jim

[N0IU]

I will put in another vote for MMTTY. Here is a link to what is probably the most comprehensive tutorial on how to get started operating RTTY using MMTTY as the primary program to begin your RTTY operations.

http://www.aa5au.com/rtty.html

There is a lot of valuable information there and I urge you to take the time to read through it all very carefully. It will answer a lot of questions for you and will guide you step by step in downloading the program and setting it up.

Good luck!
Scott NØIU

[K3WRV]

Another vote for MTTY, tho I've tried several others. MTTY was the easiest to get going and does a FB job copying. Using a narrow filter in your xcvr also helps.

[KE5KZX]

Thanks for all the info, guys! I printed the tutorial from AA5AU and will read it carefully.

One more question - do more people use RTTY or PSK31? I'm mostly interested in DXing.

Dennis - KE5KZX

[N4AUD]

Quote[/b] (KE5KZX @ Aug. 14 2007,13:12)]Thanks for all the info, guys! I printed the tutorial from AA5AU and will read it carefully.

One more question - do more people use RTTY or PSK31? I'm mostly interested in DXing.

Dennis - KE5KZX

I would say PSK31. Sometimes I have to hunt around quite a bit to find RTTY activity, but I can just about always find several stations on the air using PSK31.

[N0IU]

Actually, with all due respect, I have had more success on RTTY, but I guess if I used PSK31 once in a while, my opinion might be different!

Scott NØIU

[N5RFX]

Quote[/b] (KE5KZX @ Aug. 13 2007,11:12)]Thanks for all the info, guys! I printed the tutorial from AA5AU and will read it carefully.

One more question - do more people use RTTY or PSK31? I'm mostly interested in DXing.

Dennis - KE5KZX

I use RTTY most during contests. For DXing there are RTTY DX windows. at 3.590 and 7.040.

PSK31 is also used for DXing, I would say use both.

Take a look at the band plan.

73,
Mark N5RFX

[AG3Y]

Sure, use both. In fact, use any mode that fits the occasion. Don't get stuck on one mode and call it "the BEST"! The REAL best mode is the one that is being used by the station you want to work! The more modes you become comfortable with, the more versatile an operator you will become! That simple!

73, Jim

[KC7THH]

I use both but i prefer rtty on the other side of that i use hardware for rtty
there are a number of multimode controlers out there for cheap
and so far
none beat the hardware
i do play psk31 but even with the horsepower i have computer wise fade kills it faster than the old kam i use on rtty
you mileage may vary
dunno