[GreenKeys] New poster

[Mark Richards]

Hi Brandon,

Having worked a short stint as a "telecommunications operator" in the
1970's, I still remember the sound, aroma, and hint of glamour that RTTY
represents.  I worked in a room filled with various models of TTY gear and
staffed by sometimes 4 operators working full time.  It was all quite
mechanical, with messages prepared on paper tape, fed into readers, and then
transmitted to various points around the world via undersea cable.  Some of
the messages were coded - I guess the company worried that interception
might reveal trade secrets - so I had some exposure to that end of things,
too.  
With but a few large corporations still maintaining these facilities, I was
fortunate to get my fingers on the Green Keys for a while and be a small
part of the action.  This exposure, plus my longstanding background in
Amateur Radio, made quite an impression (there's a pun for you) which lasts
to the present time.  

Then there was my stint in broadcasting where the Associated Press sent wire
copy to a receive only terminal which had but two controls: an on/off switch
and a crank for the platen.  The sound of that piece of gear rattling away
in the background while I'd "rip and read" news copy can still be heard if I
close my eyes.  Ten bells with X X X X X X across the page really got your
attention.  I've seen many an EBS test and worked when bulletins announced
all manner of history in the early 1970's (some of which I could never
imagine we'd see repeating).  When the AP man came and replaced it with a
small dot matrix line printer (that surprisingly operated at the same speed)
I felt some dissapointment.  I missed the old clunker and none of us at the
station ever got used to the bzz bzz bzz bzz sound that the firing of the
dot-matrix print head made against the paper.  Years later and we still
wanted our old machine back.

Compared to our age of computers, ethernet, and instant wideband
communications, RTTY lacks speed and efficiency.  But at least for me the
experience is all about the journey, with the destination taking a back seat
to all the rattling, kerchunking and fun.  Sounds as if you might share in
this and therefore I believe you'll find here a very knowledgable, friendly,
and enthusiastic group of GreenKeyer's who will help you maximize the fun
and learning.

I don't know of one place you can visit on the public internet where RTTY
gear is "available" (presumably you mean for sale) but you will occasionally
see stuff on e-bay (however what I've seen there is often over-priced).
Hang out here and you'll likely find someone in you area with excess gear
that needs a good, loving home.  I hauled off a really nice Model 15 that
I'm restoring this winter thanks to N1AU and his gracious bride who endured
my presence.  And found another terminal that's in rough, but recoverable
shape.  Reminiscent of self.

So best wishes, and I look forward to hearing more of your experiences with
this fascinating hobby.


/mark richards
k1mgy