

The basic protocol for packet radio is AX.25. This allows improved throughput and error control. Packet - One of the first "modern" digital modes, packet radio transmits data in groups or "packets" of 10s or 100s of bytes.Gary ZL2iFB has written an FT8 Operating Guide. The WSJT-X software can be downloaded from Joe Taylor's web site. FT8 - In 2018 it is by far the most popular digital mode for award chasing and working DX.

There are too many different modes to list individually, but here are some of the major ones: But amateur digital communication began in earnest in the late 1940's (if you don't count Morse as a digital mode!) when hams worked out techniques of connecting mechanical Teletype keyboard/printers to amateur gear using FSK and AFSK modulation. A great number of exciting new digital operating modes have developed, largely because of the availability of personal computers, soundcards, and advanced software.
