Digital amateur radio operations have been around ever since the advent of amateur radio! That's right, even good old CW aka Morse Code is a form of digital communication.
Radio Teletype or RTTY was one of the first true "digital" modes, utilizing heavy huge teletype machines producing frequency shift keying, or FSK, which was a "mark" and "space" type of digital communications that allowed text print to be sent and received over radio.
With the advent of the terminal node controller, or TNC, amateur radio began to expose itself to computers. These were the old Commodore and Radio Shack TRS-80 type computers. Modes such as packet, amtor, g-tor, pactor, and others started to become common place. This type of communication allowed some simple pictures to be sent, and began what we know as Audio Frequency Shift Keying, or AFSK.
Since the "modern" computer has become common place, many new mode of operation, and some revamped older ones have become even easier (and cheaper!) to implement in amateur radio. Here we will give you some ideas and links to some of the more common modes and software so you to can become a
DIGITAL MODE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR!
First thing you need is a Windows based computer, preferable with Windows 98SE or higher, and fast processor, say 500MHz or higher, and a good amount of memory, say 256 MB or more. (NOTE: Some programs such as EasyPAL will require Windows XP and a high speed, say 1.8GHZ processor and preferably 1GB memory.)
Second, you need a soundcard interface. Now, you can search for one to buy from MFJ, Rigblaster, and others, but why not build your own...it's not hard, and here is a simple schematic you can use!
First thing you need is a Windows based computer, preferable with Windows 98SE or higher, and fast processor, say 500MHz or higher, and a good amount of memory, say 256 MB or more. (NOTE: Some programs such as EasyPAL will require Windows XP and a high speed, say 1.8GHZ processor and preferably 1GB memory.)
Second, you need a soundcard interface. Now, you can search for one to buy from MFJ, Rigblaster, and others, but why not build your own...it's not hard, and here is a simple schematic you can use!
Now
that's not too bad, right? That simple interface will open you up to a
whole new world of communications including text, files, and pictures
(in COLOR yet!). Below are links and
brief descriptions of digital software. Please use the links, and read
about the software, the mode it operates, and equipment requirements.
AGWPE =AGW Packet Engine, a soundcard TNC emulator, used for packet modes such as packet and APRS.
AGWPE http://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/
APRS = Automatic Position Reporting System (more info at http://www.mcminnarc.com)
UI-VIEW32 http://www.ui-view.org/
PACKET = been around for years, but most software was DOS...this one below is WINDOWS based!
WinPack = http://www.winpack.org.uk/ (See our page on PACKET! Go to http://www.mcminnarc.com/packet/packet.html .)
PSK31 = a low power narrow bandwidth (31hz!) text keyboard to keyboard mode for HF!
Digipan = http://www.digipan.net/
RTTY = wait, you said a teletype machine was need for this one...not anymore!
MMTTY = http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/mmtty/
SSTV = Slow Scan TV...color pictures in seconds across HF radio!
MMSSTV = http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/mmsstv/index.htm
Echolink = VHF & UHF communication around the globe via repeaters linked via the internet!
Echolink = http://www.echolink.org/
MultiPSK = Does so many digital modes I can't even begin to name them all. Freeware version does fine, but and expanded registration version is available that does more! For the "advanced" digital user, a little more of a learning curve, but is a good software for some of the newer digital modes!
MultiPSK = http://members.aol.com/f6cte/index_anglais.htm
EasyPAL = Digital Slow Scan TV. This still uses your sound card, but uses an advanced algorithm, has a form of manual error correction, and allows you to send text and other small files, usually in less than a minute and a half.
EasyPAL = http://www.kc1cs.com/digi.htm (NOTE: You download the program by clicking the top picture.)
And new modes come out almost monthly! You don't have to try any of them, but they are fun, and can open up your radio and your mind to exacty what the usefullnes of amateur radio can be, as well as enhance your hobby!
AGWPE =AGW Packet Engine, a soundcard TNC emulator, used for packet modes such as packet and APRS.
AGWPE http://www.patmedia.net/ralphmilnes/soundcardpacket/
APRS = Automatic Position Reporting System (more info at http://www.mcminnarc.com)
UI-VIEW32 http://www.ui-view.org/
PACKET = been around for years, but most software was DOS...this one below is WINDOWS based!
WinPack = http://www.winpack.org.uk/ (See our page on PACKET! Go to http://www.mcminnarc.com/packet/packet.html .)
PSK31 = a low power narrow bandwidth (31hz!) text keyboard to keyboard mode for HF!
Digipan = http://www.digipan.net/
RTTY = wait, you said a teletype machine was need for this one...not anymore!
MMTTY = http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/mmtty/
SSTV = Slow Scan TV...color pictures in seconds across HF radio!
MMSSTV = http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/mmsstv/index.htm
Echolink = VHF & UHF communication around the globe via repeaters linked via the internet!
Echolink = http://www.echolink.org/
MultiPSK = Does so many digital modes I can't even begin to name them all. Freeware version does fine, but and expanded registration version is available that does more! For the "advanced" digital user, a little more of a learning curve, but is a good software for some of the newer digital modes!
MultiPSK = http://members.aol.com/f6cte/index_anglais.htm
EasyPAL = Digital Slow Scan TV. This still uses your sound card, but uses an advanced algorithm, has a form of manual error correction, and allows you to send text and other small files, usually in less than a minute and a half.
EasyPAL = http://www.kc1cs.com/digi.htm (NOTE: You download the program by clicking the top picture.)
And new modes come out almost monthly! You don't have to try any of them, but they are fun, and can open up your radio and your mind to exacty what the usefullnes of amateur radio can be, as well as enhance your hobby!