Regarding the "PSK63 is too fast to tune" problem, the PSKCORE engine
used by many PSK31 and PSK63 programs retains the most recent 25 seconds
of input data and can be directed to replay this data. This lets you
adjust your tuning (and other settings) without waiting for the next CQ.
On DXLab's WinWarbler this function is invoked by clicking the Receive
panel's Omega-25 button.
Regarding the "X will kill RTTY" discussion, it is natural when
developing a new technology to aspire to something better than that
which is in mainstream use. This is called "progress". Sometimes the
newcomer falls flat and dissappears, sometimes its finds a niche and
survives, sometimes it drives the incumbent into a niche, and sometimes
it completely prevails. Were it not for this process, we'd all still be
using Spark and RTTY would never have been developed.
73,
Dave, AA6YQ
-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Phil Cooper
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 4:13 AM
To: rtty@contesting.com
Subject: [RTTY] RE: Death of RTTY?
Hello all,
I have been reading this thread with great interest, as I cannot quite
visualise a world without RTTY and RTTY contests!
There have been some very good comments, although it would have been a
bit more rationalised if some of you had actually tried PSK31 and/or
PSK63. I have used PSK31 quite extensively, especially when the first
Windows software was released. Back then, most folk used 5 to 10 watts,
and often less than that. I had several QSO's with Claude VE3WQ and
others where we turned the RF right down, using less than 1 watt, and
still had workable copy. If you had an overdriven signal, then you were
politely told about it, and offered suggestions on what to do to improve
things. Go and suggest that a PSK signal is overdriven now and see what
you get as a reply! As an upside to PSK, I once played about with my
soundcard, and wanted to get them back to the correct settings. As it
was very late evening here, I decided to tune up on 10m, as the band
would be as dead as the proverbial. I turned the RF drive right down,
and was probably running about 5 watts. I made a few adjustments, and
the switched between TUNE and typing, which should have let me see that
the output power drops by half, as expected. By now, I was running less
than one watt, and kept hitting F1 to send CQ, so that I could make any
final adjustments. Imagine my surprise when an LU8 station came back to
me! We had a QSO for about half an hour on what should have been a dead
band. No way we could have done that with RTTY.
Yes, I have tried almost all of the newer digital modes, mostly because
I write a small column for BARTG's magazine Datacom, and like to let
people know what is out there. I enjoy the fun of Hellschrieber, and
also had some fun with MT63 too. Over the last couple of years, though,
there has been a trend to using more power than is necessary. PSK31 has
suffered from this more than most. It is now quite normal to see folk
using "hundreds" of watts, when 10 would do. That is one of the reasons
I don't feel happy about using PSK31 for contests.
Have you seen the mess that results when a DX station appears on PSK31?
A total mess unless the operator is skilled at handling pile-ups.
Regarding PSK63, well, I did try it, and I agree with other comments in
that it is simply too fast to be good for a contest. With RTTY, even
very short CQ's can be tuned in by ear pretty closely (Oh dear, is that
a sign of me getting hooked??) and certainly enough to see which call it
is. Generally, all I need to see is the last part of the call, and I
will have a good guess as to who it is, and will know whether I have
worked them. With PSK63, even a fairly long CQ call is over very
quickly, and gives no time to tune, mainly because you cannot (and I
challenge someone to prove they can!) tune in by ear alone, and by the
time you have moved the mouse, the signal has long gone. OK, you may get
close, but you then have to wait for another CQ call, and try to tune
that in properly, thus wasting a lot more time. I tried sending two
lines of RYRY, plus two lines of CQ calls, and even that was over too
quickly to move the mouse and click close enough to get good copy.
I did note that the helpfile suggests parking your dial on 14.072 and
using 100Hz segments from there upwards. That will almost certainly draw
some response from all those PacTor mailboxes! Funny how the band is
dead quiet for weeks, and then as soon as a contest is on, there are all
these active mailboxes going for it!
I will give PSK63 a try, but it will never (get me - NEVER) replace RTTY
in my life! Even if I am a puny GU0 (I'd have preferred being labelled
as a puny GU0 signal (:-), rather than a puny GU0 (:-) signal - HI
Chen!)
I am now away till then end of the week, but I am sure there will be
more comments .
73 all de Phil GU0SUP
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential
and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom
they are addressed. If you have received this email in error
please notify the author immediately and delete it, together with all
copies, from your system. You are unauthorised to directly, or
indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print or copy any part of this
message if you are not its intended recipient. Any views or opinions
expressed are solely those of the
author and do not necessarily represent those of
Cable and Wireless Guernsey.
Information held on any of Cable and Wireless Guernseys'
computer systems is the property of Cable and Wireless Guernsey.
Cable and Wireless Guernsey reserves the right to monitor
and review the content of all information, messages and
attachments sent to or from this e-mail address.
**********************************************************************
_______________________________________________
RTTY mailing list
RTTY@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty
|