[Elecraft] K3 RTTY Decode

[Kevin Stover]

I don't know where the idea started that the decode algorithm in the 
K3(s) would be a good as a stand alone dedicated program like MMTTY. It 
won't ever be simply from a processor and memory point of view. I'm sure 
the Elecraft principals have made no such claim so why do people still 
expect it?

It's a "gee whiz would you look at that" kinda thing more than anything 
else. Use it in a serious contest or DX pileup? Nonsense. Let the 
computer/software do what it does best and let the radio do what it does 
best.


On 3/17/2016 11:16 PM, Hank Garretson wrote:
> Good friend K1GQ wondered out loud about real data comparing K3 RTTY decode
> to software decoders. Here is fifteen minutes of real data.
>
> Attachment 1. K3 decode captured by K3 Utility program. K3 width 400 Hz.
> Didn't fiddle with K3 decode parameters--used factory defaults.
>
> Attachment 2. MMTTY decode. AA6YQ FIR512 profile for first five minutes,
> them Fluttered Signals (FIR) profile for last ten minutes.
>
> If attachments didn't make it to list, email me and I will send them to
> you.
>
> Data captured during first fifteen minutes of 18 March zulu NCCC RTTY
> Sprint.
>
> Used MMTTY cross bars to tune.
>
> The sometimes frantic NS is a good test with lots of frequency changes,
> great signal-strength variability, and QRM.
>
> My take is that MMTTY is superior to K3 decode, but I was pleasantly
> surprised by how well K3 decode performed.
>
> My work is done. I'll leave it to others to draw more rigorous conclusions.
>
> Regardless of relatively decode performance of K3 versus MMTTY, I believe
> the most important plus of MMTTY and similar programs is call and exchange
> parsing, highlighting, and clicking into log window.
>
> When contesting, I have one MMTTY window and two 2Tone windows open and I
> constantly scan all three. My experience is that sometimes MMTTY is better,
> sometimes 2Tone Flutter is better, and sometimes 2Tone Selective is better.
> I often end up integrating bits and pieces from all three windows to
> complete a contact. That's part of what makes RTTY contesting fun. Your
> print may vary.
>
> Diddle Exuberantly,
>
> Hank, W6SX
>


-- 
R. Kevin Stover
AC0H
ARRL
FISTS #11993
SKCC #215
NAQCC #3441


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