For the first time since the Rookie Roundup came into being last year, the digital modes will get their day in the Sun: On August 21, the Rookie Roundup meets RTTY! “Created to give the budding operator a place to learn about contesting at an easier pace, the Rookie Roundup is a six hour contest open to all amateurs who have been licensed for three years or fewer,” explained ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. “If you were licensed in 2009, 2010 or 2011, you qualify as a Rookie. The Rookie Roundup is run three times per year: SSB in April, RTTY in August and CW in December.”

But “Old Timers” have a place in the Rookie Roundup, too. “Elmering is a critical component of the Rookie Roundup, and OTs are encouraged to not only get on and work the Rookies, but to host a Rookie and assist them with learning how to participate,” Kutzko said. “Rookies can work anybody, but non-Rookies can only work Rookies. The contest exchange is easy: Just send your call sign, the call sign of the station you are working, your first name, the last two digits of the year you were licensed (09, 10 or 11) and your US state, Canadian province or Mexican call area. If you’re not in the US, Canada or Mexico, just send ‘DX’ instead.”

Here’s an example of a RTTY QSO during the Rookie Roundup between Bob, KJ4XYZ (a Rookie) and Khrystyne, K1SFA (a non-Rookie):

CQ RR KJ4XYZ CQ
K1SFA
K1SFA DE KJ4XYZ BOB GA 09 BK
QSL KJ4XYZ DE K1SFA KHRYSTYNE CT 06 BK
QSL QRZ RR DE KJ4XYZ

*Editor’s Note: Some RTTY operators send BK to signal the end of the exchange, but it is not required.

Kutzko noted that getting on RTTY has never been easier: “All you need to start making QSOs is a PC, a soundcard interface and some RTTY software. Veteran RTTY contester and CQ Contest Hall Of Fame member Don Hill, AA5AU, has a great website geared toward the beginning RTTY op that is a wealth of info.” Click here for an in-depth look at RTTY; for a thumbnail sketch on digital modes, such as RTTY, PSK31 and Packet, click here.

RTTY Rookie Roundup participants can log the contest using either the paper forms provided on the Rookie Roundup web page or by using the real-time website at www.inthelog.com. Once the contest is over and you’ve calculated your score, fill out the Rookie Roundup Online Score Submission Form to officially enter. All entrants must fill out that form to enter. But don’t dally, since participants must submit score summaries within three days of the contest. All score summaries must be received by 2359 UTC Wednesday, August 24, 2011.

The 2011 ARRL RTTY Rookie Roundup runs from 1800 UTC through 2359 UTC Sunday, August 21, 2011. Complete rules and score submission information can be found at the ARRL Rookie Roundup web site. For more information, contact ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, via e-mail.