[GreenKeys] ARRL RTTY contest

[Larry Tighe]

Kinda odd that some aren't still using Quill pen's and the US Mail.
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Howdy Jay,

I think maybe the "thread" got confused.  When I first wrote the note 
starting this discussion, my intent was simply to say that RTTY doesn't seem 
applicable from the picture showing folks at computers.  They aren't 
teletypes...they're simply computers using Baudot.  The same computers we 
use on the internet.  A teletype is an electro-mechanical machine.  What did 
the article have to do with teletypes or even radio teletype?  Wasn't it 
about contesting with computers using Baudot?

For the most part, this greenkey group is made up of folks that enjoy the 
electro-mechanical challenge of the old machines.  Machines that take a lot 
of  mechanical aptitude to fix and maintain.  That's our common 
denominator....or so I see it.  Your article was about computers using 
Baudot...juding by the picture...again.  Computers are not noisey, smell of 
oil and grease and require expertise to operate and maintain.....computers 
do not....in my opinion.

Now, mix into that ham radio / contesting and I, like so many others can't 
share our interest in tty's via contesting or rag chewing with no CR or LF's 
and probably no interest or expertise at the other end of a QSO with someone 
using glass regarding our fascination with electro-mechanical.

So, the Quill & Pen may be applicable but, we don't apologize for that or 
our fascination with the machines, our love of Heavy Metal and ITTY and 
heaven forbid...some of these guys are probably into restoration of steam 
engines, old cars and typewriters......

As Jeff, wa6fwi, said regarding the past so aptly, "No sir, I'm PLAYING in 
it".

For me, ham radio ain't what is was and is at best 2% of ACTUAL teletypes 
anymore.

For honor, accuracy and honesty of publication, maybe a column called RTTY 
should change it's name to
reflect what it's really about....Hmmm, CPAT or computers posing as 
teletypes  LOL  Or, maybe
CUOB, computers using old Baudot.  As an "aside" we're not about "Sport" but 
preservation.

Regards,
Lar
K2JIA