[GreenKeys] Decoding RTTY for a Teletype with a Computer / Want to Buy

[Chris DeMuro]

Hey everyone!

I have a question, specifically about decoding RTTY on teletypes. When I
get a Teletype, I intend to use it for several things, of which RTTY is
just one, but I'll get to that later.

As I understand it, and please bear with me as my understanding is limited,
the RTTY audio signal is fed into some sort of decoder, and then the serial
text output, either as ASCII or Baudot is fed into the Teletype to be
printed.

I don't have much money for this Teletype endeavor (again, I'll get to
that) so I am trying to save a buck wherever possible. I was wondering if
it is possible to use a computer to replace the role of the decoder, and
send the text out of a serial port to the Teletype. I was trying to figure
out a way to do this using FLDIGI, but I couldn't find any way of doing it.

Now before you say "But that defeats the purpose of using a Teletype! Why
even bother using a mechanical machine? Just make your RTTY QSOs on a
computer if you feel that way!" The reason I am okay with using a computer
as a RTTY decoder to feed text to a Teletype is the same reason I enjoy
typing out news articles and such on a manual typewriter. I enjoy using the
machine. I am not overly concerned with how authentic the experience is. I
intend to use a modern radio and other such modern amenities. I think it
would be cool to get an authentic station set up, but that is not my first
priority.

As a final note, I mainly run Linux, but if anyone has a method to do this
with Windows software, I can make that work, so don't hesitate to let me
know about that just because I run Linux.

Now that I have rambled on long enough about that, and hopefully expressed
my question well enough that someone can understand it, let me begin the
next part of this message.

I am looking to purchase a Teletype. I will take any model, though models
easier to service would be preferred. I would like it to be working or only
in need of minor repair, as I do not have much experience with this. An
ASCII model would be ideal, but I will definitely take a Baudot machine. I
am in Central Florida, and I have a budget of about $300. Apologies if that
is too low. Again, I am new to all this. I have some family going up to
Georgia later this month, so I can probably arrange to get something from
that area as well.

Please let me know if you have a machine you're looking to sell. I have
been fascinated by these machines for a while now, and I can absolutely
guarantee it would go to a good home, and be put into good, long-term
service.

Anyway, thanks to anyone who can get through this long email. I am too
long-winded for my own good. :)

Thanks so much to everyone who has assisted me thus far on this mailing
list, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Chris DeMuro
KN4OBK
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/greenkeys/attachments/20201101/18f4f5f0/attachment.html>