[Elecraft] RTTY using LSB versus AFSK-A

[K2MK]

I'm trying out RTTY for the first time today during the OK RTTY contest in 
preparation for the upcoming RTTY RU in a couple of weeks. I have used MixW 
running AFSK for years on my FT1000D to the extent that I got quite used to 
the visual signal spotting aspects of the waterfall display. I normally 
search and pounce rather than send CQ so I'm always tuning looking for new 
signals on the waterfall.

Using LSB on the K3 with a filter width of 1.5KHz is working perfectly. I 
just point the mouse at any signal that I see on the waterfall in that 
bandwidth and transmit. I know I'm supposed to use the Data mode with dual 
passband but the bandwidth is so narrow I hardly hear any signal until I'm 
right on top of it. And the waterfall is so narrow I barely see the signal 
unless I tune very slowly with the finest tuning resolution. Once I'm on top 
of a signal it too works perfectly.

My impression is that the Data mode with dual passband would be better for a 
station sending CQ and then very finely tuning to pick out the calling 
stations. Is that a valid assumption or have I just not mastered the art of 
using the Data mode. Or does the problem reside in my decision to use MixW.

Mike K2MK