QTT - Qualified True Telegraphist and Quality True Telegraphy

QTT CQ - Calling all True CW Operators

• This page and concept is still in draft
• Contributions and ideas are welcome

Why QTT?

• Recognition for those who embrace the original CW amateur radio principles and don't use decoders
• The QTT designation shows other amateurs that you embrace the QTT core values in CW operations
• To push back the 5NN-TU and Digital CW trends and encourage and defend true human CW operation

What is QTT?

• It qualifies you as being a True Telegraphist looking for True Telegraphy QSOs
• Confirms that you will give an honest report for a contact to be valid for QSL
• Confirms that you don't use a CW decoder or machine for the reception of CW

QTT Core Values

• I do not use decoders as the human brain and ear is the superior and most effective CW decoder
• I do not encorage "5NN TU" activities, I try to give honest RST reports even in contests, DX activations
• I do not engage in unecessary unspecified split activities greater than UP 1, and any split on 30m band*
• I generally consider a good QSO to contain at least honest report, ideally name, QTH, even PWR, ANT etc

By engaging in QSO with at minimum a greeting and an honest RST report, and ideally at least a name, and more often QTH, PWR and ANT information exchange, and adhering to the values of a QTT which are part of the original and core spirit of Amateur Radio with CW at its heart, QTT maintain the real and human CW that is increasingly being interfered with by DCW.

QTT defines DCW (Digital CW) as CW that is decoded by non-human means. Any means of transmitting CW can be used including pump, keyer, bug, keyboard, what matters is the proper use of abbreviations and ideally the use of QSK (full break-in).

How to Qualify?

Qualification is simple, there is no application or sponsorship process, and it is completely free. You simply self-qualify. By using the QTT code you declare that you adhere to the above-mentioned QTT values. You can refer people to www.vkcw.net/qtt for further information about QTT. You may wish to be added to the list of those who hold QTT via the email process given below.

• By using the QTT code you declare you adhere to the QTT Values and the traditional spirit and code of Amateur Radio
• There are no fees or application or sponsorship processes, you simply use QTT during calling, or QSO as qualification
• To have your callsign listed as QTT please send an email to vk5eee@wia.org.au with subject: ADD QTT and in the body of the Email please write your call sign and name.
• You are encouraged to display a NO-DECODER badge on your QRZ page, see https://www.qrz.com/db/5T0JL for example (English and other languages coming soon, please check back in future).

Those who would like to receive emails from time to time about QTT activities and QTT experiences, please Join this email list Your Email list is NOT visible to the public, will NOT be shared, and your Email won't be visible to other QTT.

How to use QTT on air

• You can call CQ QTT or QTT, you can add QTT after your callsign, before or after your name, during QSO
• If you respond to a CQ and get as response simply your callsign and "5NN" you can respond with "QTT" instead of giving RST
• Use of QTT signals that you enjoy true human CW QSO and not digital CW and that you do not use a decoder to receive CW

QTT Activities

• QTT calling can take place in the format QTT CALLSIGN, OR CQ QTT DE CALLSIGN, or CQ DE CALLSIGN QTT
• QTT activity frequencies 20-25kHz from bottom band edge, e.g. 14020.5, 7021.5, 10122.5, 18091.5, 21024.5 etc
• QTT activities are encouraged in the top ends of the bands (top of shared SSB section) especially during 5NN contests/DX
• Alternative QTT frequencies are thus e.g. 7299, 14349, 18167, 21449kHz in CW mode which is allowed on all frequencies

QTT List

For the list of Qualified True Telegraphists since launching the qualification on 8th March 2016 see here.

Notes:

_{*) Split operations are generally unnecessary, contesters don't use split, yet contests are banned from our secondary 30m band for risk of causing QRM to primary users while split DX operations QRM risk is greater as split stations don't listen on their transmit frequencies when calling DX. Split generally causes QRM to other DX QSOs. A good DXer knows how to control pile ups. See http://www.qrz.com/db/5T0JL for good information on why split operations should not be encouraged.}

_{30m top end is used by data and the entire band is given to the Amateur Radio Service on a secondary basis. Thus there are no specific QTT meeting places but the region 10119 to 10125 if free, may be a good starting point for QTT activities on 30m.}