[GreenKeys] Help with RTTY

[Roy Morgan]

At 10:42 PM 11/1/2006, Gerald wrote:
>... I came into some Teletype equipment


Gerald,

I sent you some information about your equipment earlier, and have a few 
more comments:

>...I just don't know where to start.

Here are my suggestions on where to start.  I am assuming you will be 
messing with the older Model 19 type equipment. You should decide whether 
you want to run the older stuff, or work with the Model 28 type equipment. 
They are enough different that getting one type running first is wise. Then 
switch to the other type if you want to.

1) Get and read the document called GettingStartedOnRtty.pdf  this is 
available at RTTY.COM, I am sure.  (If not I can email it to you.)  This 
will give you the basics and more about what you need to get some of your 
equipment running.  It covers the basics of Radio TTY, then describes how 
to install and use the MMTTY program.  You may not want to use MMTTY 
because your MFJ gadget does many of the MMTTY functions.

2)  Get some manuals and instruction documents:
  - Manuals for the Model 19: the page printer and the T/D.  Also the 
Typing reperforator.  (These manuals may be available in digital form, I am 
not sure.)
  - Lubrication instructions for the Model 19 (Model 15 page printer, Model 
14 T/D and the Typing Reperforator.)

Start here:
http://www.rtty.com/
Read everything.
The manuals and connection diagrams are at "the Kretzman Technical Library" 
link:
http://www.rtty.com/development/index.html
Model 14 typing and non-typing reperforators info is at:
http://www.rtty.com/development/teletype/model-14/model14.htm
(You have a typing reperforator, high boy type.)
The Model 19 set info is at:
http://www.rtty.com/development/teletype/model-19/model19.htm
This page includes the wiring nfo on the Model 14 Transmitter Distributor.

Note: Most Teletype Corporation publications about a particular equipment 
come in at least two/three parts: Principles of Operation,  Lubrication and 
Adjustment, and Parts. The wiring diagrams on RTTY.COM are only a small 
part of the original Teletype or military publications.


3) Your fist order or business with the machines is to oil them.  Get some 
oil and a bit of grease and start to lubricate your page printer. You 
cannot expect it to run right until you have oiled the nearly one million 
little spots that need it.  You can assume that it will run at least 
moderately well once you oil it.  You can assume that it will both not run 
right and possibly hurt itself until you oil it.  Do not ADJUST ANYthing 
until you have completely oiled the machine and then determined that an 
adjustment is needed.

The Model 14 T/D is a very good place to start. It is simple and easy to 
understand.  Almost certainly it needs no adjustment, but if it does, it's 
fairly simple to do.  Oiling it may take you only a few minutes.

4) Get some tape and see if you can get the typing reperforator running 
enough to make a test tape or two.  Or, ask someone who has a perforator to 
make you a test tape.

>...I also have a BC-348-P that I would like to use if I can with this 
>equipment.

The BC-348 *may* do well enough on 80 meters, but much above that, it will 
not hold its frequency well enough for easy operation.  It was not meant 
for TTY operation, and drifts too much to be easy to run.  If you have some 
more modern receiver, plan on using that first.  The BC-348 is quite likely 
FULL of capacitors that are CERTAINLY leaky and failed. Overhauling one is 
a big job.

>I have also purchased a MFJ-1224 RTTY/CW computer interface.

Go to:
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-1224
and download the manual.  I just did and it appears that the thing will 
accept the high voltage loop that your equipment operates with.

>  I am not sure if I can use this and it did not come with software.

It is intended to work with any one of a number of software packages. MMTTY 
is one of the most popular modern TTY systems, and: A) It's free  B) There 
is a mailing list dedicated to folks who use it C) It wll do all you need 
for RTTY, and do it very very well.  However, it does most of the things 
your MFJ unit does.

All the software mentioned inthe MFJ manual is old, but if you can find it, 
should work just fine.  The computers mentioned are no longer made, but any 
old, really old, simple computer (IBM Compatible type) should work. You 
should be able to find such a computer free or almost free.

>Does anyone know what software would work with this or where I might find it?

MMTTY is a complete terminal unit (audio signal decoder) system. You may 
find that some other software is simpler. Read the MFJ manual and search 
for any of the software packages that it mentions.  List members may well 
have copies of that software to share with you.

>I have also purchased a Heathkit HD-3030 (unbuilt kit) RTTY Terminal 
>interface.

This is very unusual. You may know that UNBUILT Heath kits bring astounding 
amounts of money if you sell them to the right person.  It may well be that 
you can sell your Heath thing for enough money to keep your RTTY station in 
supplies for a very long time.  Also, the Heath thing may well be 
extraneous if you use the MFJ interface.  My advice is: do NOT build the 
thing until you find out it's value to collectors and that you really want 
the functions that unit does.

>I did plug in the Model 19 that I have and it does run open. I do not 
>think that the power supply that is under the bench that it is on works.

If it is a normal Teletype Corporation loop supply, it likely needs a fuse 
or simply to be hooked up properly. These things are VERY robust and 
reliable.  Does it HUMMMM????   Online at RTTY.COM you can get wiring 
diagrams of the Model 19 table to figure out if the thing is hooked up right.

NOTE: The Model 19 table likely has "Local Test" jacks underneath that let 
you operate the thing in standalone mode - for testing. This is ideal for 
you to learn how it runs ant test your lubrication success.  You plug the 
Page Printer (Red) and Keyboard (Green) plugs into the "Local Test" jacks. 
If the thing is hooked up correctly, the page printer should then *not* run 
open, and pressing a key on the keyboard should print that letter or 
number/character on the page printer, or at least make the page printer do 
SOMEthing.  The local test jacks hook the page printer, the keyboard and 
the loop supply in series: that is they establish the "loop" with loop current.

If you have a running T/D, you can plug it's signal cord into the Keyboard 
Local Test jack and the T/D will read a tape and the page printer will 
print it.

>Is there a power supply that I can build to run these?

Yes, but don't do it.  Do investigate the original one in the Model 19 
table first. If it simply needs a fuse, or to be re-connected, it is the 
best, easiest, and most reliable source of loop current.  Do not be tempted 
to remove the odd-looking connectors it may have on the cords.  These mate 
with the table connections and make hooking it up very easy and actually 
foolproof.

Roy




- Roy Morgan, K1LKY since 1959 - Keep 'em Glowing
13033 Downey Mill Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180
Phone 540-822-5911   Cell 301-928-7794
Work: Voice: 301-975-3254,  Fax: 301-975-6097
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