I use a call history file which contains most of the active US RTTY contesters
with state and zone being prefilled on the entry window (N1MM+). Have to be
careful they have not moved but majority have not and I will update it with
this year's contest.
I found that being off frequency has reduced considerably over the years and
this year was the lowest so far. I had to use the QRZ F key while reaching for
the RIT only a few times. Apart from the obvious radio RIT/XIT error then
anyone using radio FSK has to be very careful to ensure they tune to the tone
frequency set in the radio. Otherwise using AFSK makes it much simpler with TX
netted to the AFC in S&P but NOT when running. If you are not heard when you
think you should be check the TX is on the RX frequency.
I found that quite a number of Northern NA stations were better copy using
2Tone's Spread decoder. Maybe due to recent geomagnetic events, signal paths
near the Auroral oval had their spectrum spread.
(For the technically minded) The Spread decoder has tone filter bandwidth twice
the bandwidth of the other decoders. Post detection low pass filtered to
minimise noise/QRM from the wider filter which is needed to capture the signal
energy with minimal amplitude modulation due to filter slope attenuation.
My SO2R station has never had a hardware failure in a RTTY contest, but this
year was not my year. My 18 year old Alpha 99 (pair 4CX800) failed with a burnt
off band switch contact - need a new wafer. The venerable Heath SB-220 (pair
3-500z) replacement transformer overheated and its protection cut out worked -
I was making it work too hard! Even the rotator controller went down on me -
not sure why. So Sunday mid-afternoon (local time), I decided to pack it in.
73 David G3YYD aka M7T (Thanks for the Qs)
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