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ham radio: digital modes

[last updated: 2024-10-13]
ham radio
DMR
Fldigi
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    ... in edit ...

  • First category differentiation:
    • Some digital protocols are hardware only - eg. DMR, Fusion, D-star
      (call these hardware digital)
      They work stand-alone, that is, with just your radio, because software is bundled in your radio's firmware.
    • Some digital protocols require connection to a PC with suitable software running on it - eg. WinLink, PSK31, FT8, most others
      (call these software digital)

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  • The Basics of Software Digital:
    Recall this is connecting your radio to a PC.
    • Radios (with some exceptions) speak analog.
    • PC's (with some exceptions) speak digital.
    • For a PC to talk to a radio, you must convert the PC's digital signal into analog that your radio understands,
      and convert your radio's analog signal into digital that your PC understands.
    • This conversion is done with a soundcard.
      • Bottom line, you must have a soundcard to do Software Digital.
      • Your PC may (probably does) have an internal soundcard.
        Your radio may also have an internal soundcard.
        But if neither your radio nor your PC have internal soundcards (that you want to use),
        Then you need an external soundcard
          or you can install a software soundcard in your PC...
    • Software:
      • After you've got your hardware soundcard installed,
        you need to install software on your PC.
      • One common option:
        Fldigi
        and Flrig

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  • Hardware Digital:
    • None of these protocols talk to each other.
      That is, a DMR will not talk to either Fusion or D-star, Fusion won't talk to D-star, etc.

    • DMR ...
    • D-star:
      This format/protocol was developed by the Japan Amateur Radio League. It is an "open" standard, meaning any manufacturer can build radios that use it.
      In practice however, the vast majority of radios using D-star are ICOM radios.
    • Fusion:
      Fusion is a proprietary standard, and only Yaesu radios are allowed to use it.
      Yaesu has great penetration in the repeater market, including those around here in The Dalles, as a result of a brilliant marketing ploy of highly discounted radios offered every few years.
      The Yaesu repeater radios will hear and respond to analog signals coming in, as well of course as Fusion digital, but do not hear or respond to D-star digital.

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