WC4DC RADIO LIBRARY · GUIDED PATH
Digital Modes Starter Path
A practical path through sound-card setup, FT8/FT4, keyboard modes, JS8Call, timing, and good digital operating habits.
Active Operators
Beginner
90–120 min plus on-air practice
Active Operators
Beginner
90–120 min plus on-air practice 5 steps
Start with the station basics that nearly every sound-card mode shares: a clean audio path, correct radio control, accurate computer time, and appropriate transmit levels. Then compare weak-signal modes such as FT8/FT4 with conversational and keyboard modes such as JS8, PSK, Olivia, RTTY, and the wider fldigi family. Use the official software guides rather than memorizing one program version.
When you finish this path
Understand the common digital-mode station setup, complete a receive-only test, and be ready to make a first supervised digital QSO.
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01Digital Modes · Operating
WSJT-X User Guide — FT8, FT4, WSPR & Weak-Signal Modes
WSJT-X Development Group
Official WSJT-X documentation covering station setup, FT8/FT4 tutorials, frequencies, logging, and the wider weak-signal mode family.
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02Digital Modes · Operating
fldigi User Manual — PSK, RTTY, Olivia & More
W1HKJ / fldigi Project
Official fldigi documentation for sound-card setup, rig control, waterfalls, macros, logging, and a large family of keyboard digital modes.
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03Digital Modes · Emergency Communications
JS8Call User Guide — Weak-Signal Messaging
JS8Call Project
Official JS8Call guide for keyboard-to-keyboard messaging, directed calls, relays, inbox messages, timing, and station configuration.
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04Licensing · Operating
ARRL Amateur Radio Band Plan
ARRL — The National Association for Amateur Radio
A practical voluntary band-plan reference showing common operating segments and activities.
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05Licensing · Operating
47 CFR Part 97 — Amateur Radio Service
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
The current federal rules governing the U.S. Amateur Radio Service.
