Digital Modes for All Occasions – The book.
“Digital Modes for All Occasions” by Murray Greenman (ZL1BPU)
In an earlier section of the Digital Modes Meanderings (I’M SHOUTING? Seriously??) I referenced from Murray Greenman’s (ZL1BPU) book called “Digital Modes for All Occasions”. I thought it might be a good idea to review the book for those who do not have a copy in their digital mode library. The modern digital soundcard modes have been with us some 15+ years now and yet there really are not a lot of books covering the subject. I have only found about three or four books on the digital modes in general and a couple cover essentially the same information so you would not need to obtain them both.
Murray Greenman’s book is rather unique in that covers a lot of modes, some old and some new. A short list of discussed modes are, AmTOR, Clover, Hellschreiber, PacTOR, PSK31, MFSK16, and of course RTTY. The book came out long before the Olivia modes so they are not included but that does not diminish the books usefulness. It delves into the background of all the modes it covers. If you like history or just want to know how a certain mode got started then this book is for you. Specifications on each mode are given listing the baud rate, bandwidth, official designation and more. It makes a good reference book for the digital modes.
The book will help you:
* Set up your computer soundcard interface using helpful hints to avoid some of the pitfalls
* Learn how to connect the computer and radio together safely and simply
* Learn where to find the software you need, most at no cost
* Learn which modes to use under certain conditions
* Operate visual modes, such as Hellschreiber, FAX and SSTV
Even though most of the information can be found on the Internet, it is convenient to have it all in one easily accessed source. If you are serious about your digital mode operations you owe it to yourself to include this book in your radio library. The book is over 200 pages and cost around $25, easily afforded by most if not all amateurs and in my opinion well worth it.
Murray Greenman’s book is rather unique in that covers a lot of modes, some old and some new. A short list of discussed modes are, AmTOR, Clover, Hellschreiber, PacTOR, PSK31, MFSK16, and of course RTTY. The book came out long before the Olivia modes so they are not included but that does not diminish the books usefulness. It delves into the background of all the modes it covers. If you like history or just want to know how a certain mode got started then this book is for you. Specifications on each mode are given listing the baud rate, bandwidth, official designation and more. It makes a good reference book for the digital modes.
The book will help you:
* Set up your computer soundcard interface using helpful hints to avoid some of the pitfalls
* Learn how to connect the computer and radio together safely and simply
* Learn where to find the software you need, most at no cost
* Learn which modes to use under certain conditions
* Operate visual modes, such as Hellschreiber, FAX and SSTV
Even though most of the information can be found on the Internet, it is convenient to have it all in one easily accessed source. If you are serious about your digital mode operations you owe it to yourself to include this book in your radio library. The book is over 200 pages and cost around $25, easily afforded by most if not all amateurs and in my opinion well worth it.