Modes of Operation#

The ham radio community supports many different foms of communication over the airwaves, usually referred to as modes of operation.

Frequency Modulation (FM)#

FM is the most common mode of operation for handheld radios.

Single Sideband (SSB)#

Single Sideband is the most common Phone (voice) mode for HF Radio communications. It is more efficient than both AM and FM, at the cost of the audio quality.

Amplitude Modulation (AM)#

Amplitude Modulation is the simplest form of adding information to a wave and is one of the oldest forms of transmitting Phone (voice) over the airwaves.

Continuous Wave (CW)#

CW is extremely common on HF bands, most often taking the form of International Morse Code.

Digital Modes#

Digital modes are vast and varied. See the links for more information on each mode.

FT8 and FT4#

FT8 and FT4 are weak signal digital modes that are useful for propagation testing and making short qsos in fleeting band openings.

Slow Scan Television (SSTV)#

Slow Scan Television is a modulation mode that allows for the transfer of images on amateur radio frequencies.