Configuring RTTY for first time questions

Here is an easy video from Mike VA3MW to watch, which guides you through the set-up, it will be the same for the 8600. If you are using a different logger the same set-up will apply just in its own screens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBmBlMaVJzc&t=4s

Hi, @PhilM

I use RTTY, PSK-31. I came from the old-school Chemical City Terminal Unit, 88mH telephone-toroids, and later Exar2206 chips, all with Model 15 (page-printer), typing-reperfs, and tape-reader units. Ahhh.. the smell of hot 3-in-1 oil and the satisfying "clunks" and cycling gears … :-)

</reminisce>

The Flex 6400 I've used, these days, is fabulous for digital modes. There are a couple of things that happen when you select RTTY mode in SmartSDR … all filtering.

First, I suggest you adjust your Digital Mode filtering to "low latency". I see this under Settings → Phone/CW.

You'll also see, in this same screen, the RTTY Mark Default. Pretty much meaningless to set this at 2125 (haha - and 2295 burned into my brain for Space!). You'll likely use some software like Fldigi, which injects 170Hz-separated tones of any frequency which matches what you are receiving on-screen. I often tune somewhat closely to the RTTY signal I'm hearing, then click-to-accurately-tune using FLdigi. That may well be around 800Hz (for example), and FLdigi will then match that frequency when you transmit. Super-easy! Super-nice! You're always zero-beat with the other station (well, unless you choose to do differently).

When you receive RTTY, yes, the double-vertical line are the Mark and Space tones. But they can be any frequency you wish, and you pass these over to your RTTY program. Your RTTY program will perhaps also have it's own waterfall, showing the Mark and Space tones, and you click-set the decode lines atop … Bob's your Uncle! You should be receiving.

Key is to understand you'll need separate RTTY software. The RTTY settings in SmartSDR can help you combat adjacent interference.

HTH!! Have fun!