As part of our mission to provide emergency and auxiliary communications, GEARS embraces digital communications over amateur radio. Transmitting message traffic digitally ensures speed and accuracy.
Ham Radio data modes are not exactly turn-key, and practice is required to be effective. That’s why GEARS holds regular digital nets after our voice nets.
What You Need
Hardware
You’ll need a sound card interface – this connects your radio and computer. Some radios have these built in.
We like the DRA-100 or SignaLink USB. Both are easy, highly compatible, and reliable. Any of the other Masters Communications DRA series can work as well.
A more budget-friendly option is the digirig. Their ‘lite’ version (which is fine for most applications) starts at $40. You’ll need the digirig and an appropriate cable that fits your radio.
Software
Our most commonly-used software is fldigi with flmsg which is available free of charge.
To get started, read this article by Jeff K8JTK.
We also use Winlink – available free of charge or an optional donation.
We are also beginning to work with VARA, although there is a license fee involved.