Q Don, WB5UIA, asks, “Can I still find RTTY on the HF bands? What about VHF? What do I need to get started with this mode?”
A RTTY as a digital mode is still very much alive, although it is primarily used for DXing and contesting these days (PSK31 has taken over the lion’s share of the “conversational”
HF digital activity). You’ll find RTTY on just about every HF band, but it is mostly heard on 20 meters between approximately 14.080 and 14.095 MHz. As far as VHF is concerned, RTTY was once heard on 2 meters—there were even “RTTY repeaters” but VHF RTTY activity today has all but disappeared in the US.
To operate RTTY you have two options: purchase an external multimode interface for your computer, or purchase software that will send and receive RTTY signals using your computer’s sound card. The external interfaces are still popular, but the software approach is gaining ground. (See our review of RITTY 4.10 by Brian Beezley, K6STI, elsewhere in this issue.) Beyond that, all you need is an SSB transceiver and you’re good to go.
To learn more I’d strongly recommend that you pick up a copy of the ARRL HF Digital Handbook. You can purchase this book at your favorite dealer, or order directly from the ARRL. See the ARRL Publications page in this issue.
From QST November 2000
