Digimodes (digital modes) are a great way to make contacts.

Benefits are:
Usually less power required than for voice
Good if you're newly licensed and/or are mike-shy.

Disadvantages:
Requires a computer or a phone app.
Often contacts are made with macros, leading to a rather impersonal-feeling QSO.

Commonly used digital modes are:
PKS31
RTTY

In order to work digimodes, you'll need a computer, with some software to create and decode the sounds. The software I use is Fldigi, which is available for Linux and Windows.
You will also need a soundcard, and the cables to connect to your radio. It is possible to simply put the radio microphone by your computer speaker, and the computer microphone by the radio speaker, but this isn't optimal.
Most transceivers have a data socket on the back. You can often buy a dedicated data cable for these radios.
* Yaesu 817/857/897: https://www.amazon.com/Valley-Enterprises%C2%AE-FT-100-FT-817-FT-857/dp/B0041LNISK

Some newer transceivers (Kenwood TS 590SG) emulate a soundcard. When you connect a USB cable from the radio to the computer, the computer sees a second soundcard.

= Getting started instructions for Fldigi =

Start Fldigi, and follow the wizard for setting preferences. 
The two tricky bits are configuring the audio settings, and the rig control settings.

== Setting up your rig ==

All these instructions assume you have a correctly matched antenna connected or a dummy load.

=== Power ===
'''Important note: Ensure that you turn the power down to 20% of your radio's max power. Digital modes are 100% duty-cycle, and can sometimes take a minute or two to transmit an over. I have gone through two sets of finals (expensive!) by transmitting digimodes at full power. Don't be an idiot like me! (You could possible go up to 30 or 35% for a very quick QSO with a rare station, but be careful. Finals are expensive.)
'''

=== Set the ALC correctly ===

Unlike voice where you want as much power going out as possible, too much audio will distort your digital signal and make it less readable. 
On your radio, switch your meter to ALC. 
On the bottom right of Fldigi, there is a value "TX level attenuator (dB)", given as a negative number, with arrows either side to alter it. 
Click the "tune" button on the top right, and alter the TX level attenuator until it is just below where the ALC would start. This is the ideal setting. Click tune again to stop.

== Setting up the audio ==

* Select OpMode, BPSK31 from the menu.
* Select Configure, Soundcard, Audio, Devices, and check that the correct soundcard is selected.
* Click in the lower text box and press Ctrl T (transmit). If you hear sound from your speakers, this is good. Press Ctrl R (receive) to stop.
When Fldigi is in receive mode, there should be a waterfall at the bottom. This is what displays the received signals. If you are on a laptop, or have a microphone connected, you might see something, otherwise probably not.
* Now connect the line-in socket on your PC to the audio out of your radio, and the line-out socket of your PC to the audio-in of your radio. You should hopefully start seeing some audio on the waterfall.

== Setting up the rig control ==

Ideally, you want your radio to transmit automatically when you use Fldigi. You don't want to have to operate the radio as well as the computer. If your radio is old and has a serial (RS232) port, you may need a serial (RS232) cable to connect from your computer's serial port to your radio. Newer radios like the FT857 have this support built in to their cable. And very new radios like the TS 590SG do it all over the USB cable. (The TS 590SG emulates a soundcard as well as a serial port).
* Quit Fldigi and turn the radio off
* Connect the cable up
* Turn the radio on
* Start Fldigi
* Choose Configure, Rig Control, Rig. Note there are several different methods of controlling your rig with Fldigi. I use Hamlib, but Rigcat is also common.
You will need trial and error to work out the settings. Your radio's manual will help. You might need to go into your radio's settings and see what baud rate (bps), stop bits, and other related settings are meant to be. I can't help here, as all radios are different.
Eventually you should reach the stage that Fldigi shows your radio's frequency, and when you change it on the radio, it updates in Fldigi, and vice versa. Also, when you press Ctrl T, it should trigger the transmit on your radio.

== Making a QSO ==

The easiest mode to start with is either RTTY or PSK31. I would say PSK31 is the most common, so select that in Op Mode. Find the part of the band you want to use that is dedicated for narrowband mode use. There are some regional variations. Google for your country's bandplan.

{|
|160M|| ||1807 (USA) || 1838 (Europe) ||
|-
|80M || 3580 || || ||
|-
|40M || 7070 (most popular) || 7040 (Europe) || 7028 (Japan) ||
|-
|30M || 10138-10142||
|-
|20M || 14070||
|-
|17M || 18100||
|-
|15M || 21070||
|-
|12M || 24920||
|-
|10M || 28120||
|-
|6M || || 50290 (USA) || 50250 (Europe) ||
|}

Set your radio to USB (yes, even under 10MHz - the convention is USB for all (almost) digimode work), enable the data function if you have one, and set the dial frequency to the one listed in the table above. 
Note: The actual frequency you will transmit on is your dial frequency PLUS the offset on the waterfall. This is important and is sometimes not understood by operators. If your dial frequency is 14070, and your red lines are on your waterfall at 1400, then the audio generated will be at 1400Hz, and thus will be transmitted at 14071.400. View, Controls, Full in Fldigi will show you the actual frequency as well as the dial frequency.

If you have your radio set up correctly, and your PC set up correctly, you should be seeing activity on your waterfall. Click on the centre of a signal, and you should start seeing it decode in the top text window. 
When you are ready (have you checked your power output is <= 20% of your maximum?!), you can reply by Ctrl T. Type your message, and click Ctrl R.

Digimodes

2017-05-29T12:54:38Z

G7VRD:

2008-10-19T16:40:45Z

G7VRD: /* Tracking ham radio satellites */

FAQ

2008-09-09T18:56:13Z

G7VRD: Cavity filter

Related wiki pages : [[Dictionary of Ham Radio Terms]]

Got a question that you can't find an answer to? Put it here, and hopefully someone will answer it.

[[What causes QRN?]] 
[[impedance|What is impedance?]] 
[[What is the best way to learn Morse?]] 
[[What is best type of morse key?]] 
[[How does QSLing work in Amateur Radio]] 
[[Why are the country code prefixes as they are?]] 
[[What is a DX cluster?]] 
[[What does the /B suffix signify?]] 
[[What is a cavity filter?]]

Ham Radio History - United Kingdom

2008-08-25T16:42:40Z

G7VRD:

1896 - Marconi demonstrated the transmission and reception of Morse Code based radio signals over a distance of two or more kilometers (and up to six kilometers) on Salisbury Plain in England 
1913 - The RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) was founded (as the London Wireless Club) 
1923 - The first two way contact between the UK and USA was in December 1923, between London and West Hartford, Connecticut. 
1939-45 - The entire RSGB Council and many of its members were recruited into MI8, also known as the Radio Security Service. Its mission to was to intercept clandestine enemy transmissions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MI8 
1982 - Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands communicated via Amateur Radio to the UK. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6514011.stm 
2006 - On the 1 December, Ofcom replaced the annual licence system with a new ‘lifetime’ licensing regime

Ham Radio History - United Kingdom

2008-08-25T16:40:24Z

G7VRD:

Ham Radio History - United Kingdom

2008-08-25T16:38:00Z

G7VRD:

1896 - Marconi demonstrated the transmission and reception of Morse Code based radio signals over a distance of two or more kilometers (and up to six kilometers) on Salisbury Plain in England 
1923 - The first two way contact between the UK and USA was in December 1923, between London and West Hartford, Connecticut. 
1982 - Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands communicated via Amateur Radio to the UK. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6514011.stm

2008-07-12T17:12:59Z

G7VRD: New page: The UK now has 3 classes of licence. These are: Foundation, Intermediate, and Full. None of these require the passing of a Morse exam, due to the effort of [http://perens.com/ Bruce Per...

40 metres

2008-07-12T17:12:09Z

G7VRD:

{{Band
|band=40m
|USG=7.025-7.125 7.175-7.300
|USE=7.000-7.300
|USA=7.025-7.300
|UST=7.025-7.125 (CW only)
|UK=7.0-7.2 (7.1 up secondary)
}}

A section of the 40 metre band that is currently shared with broadcast stations ( 7.1 to 7.2) is due to be cleared of broadcast stations on 29th March 2009.

==Equipment==

Related wiki pages: [[Transceivers]], [[Receivers]], [[Radio/PC Interfaces]]

==Modulation==

Related wiki pages: [[Modes]]

==Propagation==

Related wiki pages: [[Propagation]]

==Australian bandplan==

Access: All licence classes

[[Image:Vk4yeh_vk_40m_bandplan.jpg]]

Template:Band

2008-07-12T16:59:56Z

G7VRD:

<div style="margin-left: 20px; float: right; border: 2px solid #aaa;">
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 style="border-color: #aaa; border-width: 1px;"
|- bgcolor=#aaa style="border-width: 0px 0px 3px 0px; font-size: 1.3em; font-weight: bold; border-style: solid; border-color: #aad;"
| colspan=2 align=center bgcolor=#35abc8 | Band: {{{band}}}
|-
| colspan=2 align=center bgcolor=#35abc8 | '''[[Bands]]'''
|-
| colspan=2 | [[160 metres|160m]] [[80 metres|80m]] [[60 metres|60m]] [[40 metres|40m]] [[30 metres|30m]] [[20 metres|20m]] [[17 metres|17m]] [[15 metres|15m]] [[12 metres|12m]] [[10 metres|10m]] [[6 metres|6m]] [[4 metres|4m]] [[2 metres|2m]] [[1.25 metres|1.25m]] [[70 centimetres|70cm]] [[33 centimetres|33cm]] [[23 centimetres|23cm]] [[3 centimetres|3cm]]
|-
| bgcolor=#63d6f0 align=center colspan=2 | '''Band Privileges'''
|-
| bgcolor=#63d6f0 | '''US Extra''' || {{{USE}}}
|-
| bgcolor=#63d6f0 | '''US Advanced''' || {{{USA}}}
|-
| bgcolor=#63d6f0 | '''US General''' || {{{USG}}}
|-
| bgcolor=#63d6f0 | '''US Technician''' || {{{UST}}}
|-
| bgcolor=#63d6f0 | '''[[UK]] (all)''' || {{{UK}}}
|}
</div>

3 centimetres

2008-07-12T16:59:02Z

G7VRD:

Other VHF/UHF/Microwave wiki pages : [[13 centimetres]], [[9 centimetres]], [[6 centimetres]], [[1.25 centimetres]] and [[Bands above 24GHz]].

{{Band
|band=3cm
|USG=10-10.5 GHz
|USE=10-10.5
|USA=10-10.5
|UST=10-10.5
|UK=10-10.5
}}

This band is also known as the 10 GHz band. In the United States, it extends from 10.0 to 10.5 GHz.

== Equipment ==

Commercially-manufactured gear for 10 GHz is nearly nonexistent. Amateur radio operators typically modify [[microwave]] gear intended for adjacent commercial bands. Because of the small wavelength, extremely high gain antennas are practical. Typical 10 GHz antennas are dishes with gain of 30 to 40 dB, which means that very little power is required for high-quality voice communication.

== Modulation ==

Although [[Modes#Frequency Modulation (FM)|FM]] used to be widely used on this band, it has been largely supplanted by [[Modes#Single-Sideband Modulation (SSB)|SSB]].

== Propagation ==

Although propagation on the band is largely [[line-of-sight]], significant [[tropospheric ducting]] does occur. Long-distance contacts have been made over hundreds of kilometres across Lake Superior.

Most 10 GHz [[QSO|QSOs]] are made through prearranged schedules, on nets, or during contests. Because of the high-gain antennas used, contacts are typically point-to-point, rather than initiated through calling [[CQ]].

==Australian bandplan==

Access : Advanced licensees only

[[Image:Vk4yeh_vk_3cm_bandplan.jpg]]

Additional notes

10000.000 - 10160.000 ALL MODES

10160.000 - 10360.000 WIDEBAND MODES

10160.000 - 10180.000 Channel 1: Data

10180.000 - 10200.000 Channel 2: Voice

10200.000 - 10220.000 Channel 3: ATV

10220.000 - 10240.000 Channel 4: Data

10240.000 - 10260.000 Channel 5: Voice

10260.000 - 10280.000 Channel 6: ATV

10280.000 - 10300.000 Channel 7: Data

10300.000 - 10320.000 Channel 8: Voice

10320.000 - 10340.000 Channel 9: ATV

10340.000 - 10360.000 Channel 10: Simplex, any mode

10360.000 - 10368.000 ALL MODES

10368.000 - 10370.000 NARROW BAND MODES

10368.000 - 10368.100 EME only

10368.100 - 10368.400 CW / SSB

10368.100 Calling frequency: national primary

10368.200 Calling frequency: national secondary

10368.220 - 10368.240 Digital DX modes

10368.400 - 10368.600 Beacons

10368.600 - 10370.000 General / Experimental

10370.000 - 10371.000 FM SIMPLEX (VOICE)

10371.000 - 10380.000 FM SIMPLEX (DATA)

10380.000 - 10440.000 WIDEBAND MODES

10380.000 - 10400.000 Channel 11: Data

10400.000 - 10420.000 Channel 12: Voice

10420.000 - 10440.000 Channel 13: ATV

10440.000 - 10447.000 FM SIMPLEX (DATA)

10447.000 - 10448.000 FM SIMPLEX (VOICE)

10448.000 - 10450.000 NARROW BAND MODES

10450.000 - 10500.000 AMATEUR SATELLITES

23 centimetres

2008-07-12T16:57:35Z

G7VRD:

Other VHF/UHF/Microwave wiki pages : [[13 centimetres]], [[9 centimetres]], [[6 centimetres]],[[3 centimetres]] [[1.25 centimetres]] and [[Bands above 24GHz]].

{{Band
|band=23cm
|USG=
|USE=
|USA=
|UST=
|UK=1240-1325
}}

==Equipment==

Related wiki pages: [[Transceivers]], [[Receivers]]

==Modulation==

Related wiki pages : [[Modes]]

==Propagation==

Related wiki pages: [[Propagation]]

==Australian bandplan==

Access: Advanced and Standard Licensees only

[[Image:Vk4yeh_bk_23cm_bandplan.jpg]]

33 centimetres

2008-07-12T16:56:11Z

G7VRD:

Other VHF/UHF/Microwave wiki pages : [[23 centimetres]], [[13 centimetres]], [[9 centimetres]], [[6 centimetres]],[[3 centimetres]] [[1.25 centimetres]] and [[Bands above 24GHz]].

{{Band
|band=33cm
|USG=
|USE=
|USA=
|UST=
|UK=Not used.
}}