[Elecraft] {k3} PSK31 tuning

[Lyle Johnson]

  All that really matters is the shift (170 Hz) and rate (45 bps/60WPM, 
or 75bps/100WPM).  The radio takes care of the rest, so you can use the 
ptich that you prefer.

I've heard lots of stories about why the 2125/2295 Hz tone pair was 
used. Some of the stroies make sesne, but I haven't taken the time to 
research and satisfy myself about the "why" so I won't speculate here. 
  In the early days of packet on HF, we picked 1700 Hz as the center 
frequency because tyapical radios of the day with "CW" IF filters put 
the center of the passband there when used in SSB mode.

The four pitch selections we provide in the K3 are based on defaults in 
programs like MMTTY.

To tune RTTY, you want both indicatrors to be of similar width in the 
CWT.  If it still doesn't decode, then go to the opposite sideband, but 
that shouldn't be necessary.

Practice onthe W1AW RTTY bulletins.  Those transmissions are long enough 
to allow you to practice tuning.  Many  RTTY "CQ" transmissions are too 
short to tune in, especially during contests!

73,

Lyle KK7P

> Lyle, re RTTY,  the manual and K3 operating tips are not very clear to me as
> why there are different RTTY pitch frequencies.  When I was last on HF, 2125
> was the MARK freq.  What is the advantage of choosing a MARK tone other than
> 2125?
>
> Here is where I'm stuck on decoding RTTY...