RTTY Tutorial

This document was originally posted by K4WW on rttyinfo.net but this domain has expired since some months at time writing. I’ve archived a copy that I believe could be usefull for beginners.
This is not intended to be an “etched in stone” indication of how to operate a RTTY contest, so please don’t take it that way! Whatever works the best for you, is what you should do, as long as it allows your participation to be fun! These hints were obtained from RTTY contesters, world wide, and only reflect how they try to make their operation more efficient! The more efficient “we” make our contest exchanges, the more efficient we make it for all involved! Band conditions certainly play an important part in the exchanged data, so establishing a “different” buffer could make your exchange more efficient in “not so good” band conditions!
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A Simple Telegraph Key
by Arthur R. Nilson, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1942

A professional looking radio key can be made by the beginner or experimenter at a cost of a few cents for parts. This key is very satisfactory in every respect, as will be seen from Fig. 15. It is made of a short piece of 1-inch-square brass rod and a few other parts easily procurable. Its construction is clearly shown in the mechanical drawings, Fig. 16. As exact dimensions are shown in the drawings, no difficulty should be experienced in making this key.
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During this weekend I’ve taken part to the Multi Operator station IQ5FI in the CQ WW RTTY.
IQ5FI is the callsign of the local ARI radio club in Firenze.
I’ve taken part to operations during the Saturday afternoon and mainly later from 20.30 GMT till 01.30 GMT of Sunday 24, and again in the afternoon of the Sunday. Picture has been taken at 01.00 GMT (3 AM local) along to IZ5GUL Luca.
Several other ham radio operators have taken part to the event.IK5GQK IW5EIJ IZ5HQB IZ5GUL IZ5HMK IZ5IMA. Has been funny to work during night hours, on 40 meters band. We operated using the club vertical antenna for 20-15 meters and the dipole for the 40-80 meters. The club station is located in the historic center of Florence, here you can have a look at the Google Map, and you will understand why big aerials are not so easy to setup here. !

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