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It’s a mess.
This post is my attempt at a summary of amateur radio digital voice
modes, and what I think of them.
I’m not an expert, so if you have more experience then your opinion is
likely more valid than mine. But hopefully at least I’m getting the
facts right. Please correct me where I’m mistaken.
Analog and digital voice
In the beginning there was only analog. Traditionally on HF you
used SSB, and on VHF/UHF you use FM. Analog
works, and while yes there are different modes, radios tend to support
all of them, or at least the common ones (e.g. most VHF/UHF radios
don’t support SSB, because most traffic there is FM). Usually HT
traffic is VHF/UHF FM, and for SSB while there is LSB and USB, radios
will support both.
But analog isn’t perfect. By going digital we can send metadata such
as call signs, positions, and even pictures and files. And for audio
quality digital will get rid of the static of analog noise. Digital
works better for longer distances, uses less spectrum, and retains
voice clarity much longer.
Yes, there’s a sharp cliff when digital voice modes can no longer
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