[Hallicrafters] Questions for OLD-timers (Hams)

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 24 Apr 2008 at 15:43, Troglodite at aol.com wrote:
>     Another requirement was that any station communicating via RTTY
>     was required to identify in CW.
> 
> I don't remember the RTTY rule, but perhaps that is because I
> wasn't a big fan back then. I visited a shack that had a Model 26(?)
> TTY, and it always smelled like hot machine oil.
> 
> It does seem a little odd to have to change modes to identify. I
> wonder why the CW rule.

I think because most hams at the time had no means of copying 
RTTY signals, and although the FCC did, even with them, not 
every office had the means.

Furthermore, the frequency shift wasn't really standardized, which 
may have caused problems with some monitoring equipment.

I did know several experienced hams who could copy RTTY 
communications by ear.

Speaking of frequency calibration, remember that "accurate 
frequency calibration" was considered in those days to be 1Khz or 
better.

I have been called to task by some moderns for being off 
frequency by "as much as" 12 Hz.

Sheesh!

Ken Gordon W7EKB