Like most newcomers, I initially took the easy way and elected to use AFSK (Audio Frequency Shift Keying) to produce my RTTY signal. As much fun as those old teletype printers were, I no longer needed one to start operating RTTY!
What got me going was the availability of free software (MMTTY) that allowed me to operate RTTY with just my sound card equipped PC and normal radio.
I'm a relative newcomer to RTTY, having just started operating RTTY a few years ago, but I really enjoy the mode. Send an e-mail to requesting ordering information if you are interested in obtaining an interface board. Interface boards for the FT-1000, FT-1000MP, FT-450, or IC-720 series transceivers are $5.00 more. The cost of the fully assembled and tested board with mounting hardware and installation instructions is $44.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling in the United States. The cost of the kit version, including the PC board, all parts for the board, mounting hardware, and assembly instructions, is $29.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling in the United States. Interface board kits or fully assembled and tested boards are available from W3YY. The interface is fully optically isolated and RF filtered. Summary: This page describes an FSK/CW PC interface that will allow a PC to key your transmitter producing either a pure FSK or CW signal.
> Projects > FSK/CW Optically Isolated PC Interface FSK-CW PC Interface for Keying Ham Transmitters FSK/CW Optically Isolated PC Interface for Keying Ham Transmitters and Transceivers