Receive Modes & modulations
Radio modulation is the process of varying one or more properties of a high-frequency periodic waveform, called the carrier signal, with a modulating signal that typically contains information to be transmitted. Common types of radio modulation include:
| Mode | Description | Emissions |
|---|---|---|
| All mode | All modes are supported, usually meaning AM, FM, CW and SSB | |
| AM | Amplitude Modulation | A3E |
| N-AM | Narrow-AM | A3E |
| W-AM | Wide-AM | A3E G |
| AM-sync | Synchronised AM | |
| AM-video | Amplitude Modulated Video | A8F |
| FM | Frequency Modulation | F3E |
| S-FM | Small (band) FM | 6K2 F3E |
| N-FM | Narrow (band) FM | 11K2 F3E |
| W-FM | Wide (band) FM | F3E H |
| W-FM Stereo | Wide (band) FM Stereo | F8E H |
| W-FM mono | Wide (band) FM mono | F3E G |
| FM-video | Frequency Modulated Video | F8F |
| CW | Continuous Wave (morse code) | A1A |
| SSB | Single Sideband modulation | J3E |
| USB | Upper Sideband modulation | J3E |
| LSB | Lower Sideband modulation | J3E |
| DSB | Double Sideband modulation | A8E |
| ISB | Independent Sideband modulation | B3E |
| FSK | Frequency Shift Keying | F1B |
| DMR | Digital Mobile Radio | |
| AFSK | Audio Frequency Shift Keying | F2D |
| D-STAR | Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio | |
| C4FM | System Fusion by Yaesu | |
| P25 | Digital communication protocol used by North American public safety agencies. Resembles European Tetra system. | |
| APCO-25 | Digital communication protocol used by North American public safety agencies. Resembles European Tetra system. | |
| NXDN | Next Generation Digital Narrowband. Developed jointly by ICOM and KENWOOD | FDMA/4FSK |
| RTTY | Radioteletype; a collection of techniques using a teletype, modem and radio to transmit text characters via airwaves. The actual modulation used in this mode can vary. | F1B / Multiple |
| AMTOR/SITOR | AMateur/SImplex Teletprinting Over Radio, RTTY variant with error control | |
| NAVTEX | Maritime system used for navigational and meteorological warnings. 490 or 518 kHz | |
| Digital (other) | Other or unspecified digital modes | |
| Multiple (Software defined) | Multi modes defined in software | |
| PSK31/63 | Phase Shift Keying, 31 or 63 Baud | J2B |
| TV | Analog TV | C3F |
| DVB | Digital Video Broadcasting | C7W / G7W |
| FAX | Facsimile, used to transmit text and images. | F1C |
| GMSK | Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying | |
| DV | Digital Voice | |
| Hellschreiber | Facsimile-based teleprinter invented by Rudolf Hell | |
| SSTV | Slow-Scan TV |
Emission types
The emission designator is a standardized three-character code used to classify radio transmissions based on their technical characteristics. Each character provides specific information about the signal.
First Symbol
Type of Modulation of the Main Carrier
This identifies how the carrier wave is modified:
- N
- Unmodulated carrier (steady, single-frequency signal).
- A
- Double-sideband amplitude modulation (e.g., AM broadcast radio).
- H
- Single-sideband with full carrier (e.g., CHU radio station).
- J
- Single-sideband with suppressed carrier (common in amateur and shortwave radio).
- R
- Single-sideband with reduced or variable carrier.
- F
- Frequency modulation (e.g., FM broadcast radio).
- G
- Phase modulation.
- D
- Combination of amplitude and angle modulation (e.g., AM/FM).
- P
- Sequence of unmodulated pulses.
- K
- Pulse-amplitude modulation.
- L
- Pulse-width modulation (e.g., WWVB time signal).
- M
- Pulse-position modulation.
- Q
- Pulses with phase or frequency modulation within each pulse.
- V
- Combination of pulse modulation methods.
- W
- Combination of any modulation types.
- X
- Not otherwise covered.
Second Symbol
Nature of Signal(s) Modulating the Main Carrier
This describes the signal used to modulate the carrier:
- 0
- No modulating signal.
- 1
- One digital channel, no subcarrier.
- 2
- One digital channel, with a subcarrier.
- 3
- One analog channel.
- 7
- Two or more digital channels.
- 8
- Two or more analog channels.
- 9
- Combination of analog and digital channels.
- X
- Not otherwise covered.
Third Symbol
Type of Information to be Transmitted
This specifies the content carried by the signal:
- A
- Aural telegraphy (e.g., Morse code).
- B
- Electronic telegraphy (e.g., radioteletype).
- C
- Facsimile (still images).
- D
- Data transmission, telemetry, or telecommand.
- E
- Telephony (voice or music).
- F
- Television (video).
- W
- Combination of types.
- X
- Not otherwise covered.
J3E denotes single-sideband suppressed carrier voice communication, commonly used in maritime and amateur radio.
- J = Single-sideband with suppressed carrier
- 3 = One analog channel
- E = Telephony (voice or music)
This classification system ensures clarity and consistency in radio communication, especially for regulatory and technical purposes.
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