[GreenKeys] ARRL RTTY contest

[epvgk at limpoc.com]

I got licensed last year mostly just to be able to put a model 28 on the 
air. I don't have any really strong feelings about the "old days" vs 
today and am probably younger than most of this group (39), but I am also
not interested in the contesting stuff and haven't tried it. 

That said, I have managed quite a few decent conversations on the air using 
the M28 and home made TU equipment. (the demodulator is one of the boards I 
built for this group last year, however the radio itself is commercial, an 
Icom 7000) 

Had a nice talk with a fellow in Japan on 12 meters who was very excited 
to be talking to someone using a real TTY; several others on that band, 
mostly around 24.920 MHz. Most of the rest have been on 20 meters, around
14.085-14.095 MHz as long as there wasn't a contest going on; I've run into
Al, W8TTY a number of times - chatted with him last week for nearly half an
hour before propagation deteriorated. Not sure if Al is on this list - he 
knows TTY gear, but I don't believe was using it when we talked. 

Anyway, actual RTTY conversation doesn't seem especially common but it does
still exist. I can't say I'm otherwise awfully thrilled with much of what i've 
seen of ham culture as it is now (which is all I've ever seen of it, mind you)
but I will continue playing around and would love to chat with any greenkeyers
who want to try to schedule a contact... 


eric / AG6EB