High Performance Digital Mode Interfaces for Ham Radio
Which Digital Mode Should You Use? Compare PSK31, FT8, JS8Call, and More
Ham radio digital modes enable efficient, low-power communication across HF, VHF, and UHF bands — supporting everything from weak-signal DXing and emergency messaging to keyboard chat, image transmission, and propagation tracking.
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This guide compares popular digital modes like FT8, PSK31, JS8Call, Olivia, VARA, and WSPR by bandwidth, modulation type, and operating purpose. Whether you're optimizing your transceiver for digital mode performance, troubleshooting wide signals, or choosing the best mode for QRP or Winlink, you'll find clear summaries grouped by function — plus technical insights to help you calibrate, decode, and transmit with confidence
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There is a Digimode Software Download Section at the bottom of this page
Weak-Signal & Propagation Modes
These modes are designed for low-power, long-distance communication — ideal for QRP, noisy bands, and propagation studies. They excel in poor conditions and often operate below the noise floor​
Conversational & Chat Modes
These modes are designed for real-time operator interaction — ideal for ragchewing, nets, and casual digital QSOs. They prioritize readability and responsiveness over raw weak-signal performance.
Image & Multimedia Modes
These modes are designed for transmitting images, hybrid text, and visual data. They’re popular in SSTV nets, experimental setups, and multimedia exchanges.
Emergency & Resilient Modes
These modes prioritize reliability, error correction, and message delivery — ideal for emergency communications, Winlink, and multi-hop relays. They’re designed to perform in noisy bands, unstable propagation, and low-SNR environments.
Experimental & Legacy Modes
These modes offer unique operating experiences — whether for historical interest, technical experimentation, or specialized data exchange. While less common today, they remain valuable for learning and legacy support.
Digital Mode Software Downloads
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Here are official download links for the digital mode software listed in this guide. Each tool supports one or more modes from the categories above.
• WSJT-X (FT8, WSPR, JT65, etc.): sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt
• WSPR (included in WSJT-X): sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt
• JS8Call (keyboard messaging over FT8): js8call.com
• Fldigi (PSK31, Olivia, RTTY, etc.): sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi
• MultiPSK (Olivia, Contestia, MT63, Hellschreiber, and many more): multipsk.fr
• MMTTY (RTTY): MMTTY via HamSoft
• VARA HF/FM/SAT (high-speed Winlink transport): rosmodem.wordpress.com
• Winlink Express (radio email client): winlink.org/WinlinkExpress
• ARDOP TNC (robust HF/VHF packet and Winlink support): Releases · pflarue/ardop
• Direwolf (soundcard-based AX.25 TNC and APRS digipeater): Direwolf GitHub Releases
• UZ7HO Soundmodem (multi-mode AX.25 TNC with satellite support): UZ7HO Packet-Radio Page
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