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United Kingdom · Licence exam

Ham radio digital modes: digital voice and data

Digital modes come in two kinds: digital voice, such as DMR, D-STAR and Fusion, and data modes such as FT8, PSK, RTTY and WSPR, which rely on a computer linked to your radio. Digital voice systems may not work with each other, so pick the system first and then the radio. The licence rules for ham radio digital modes are the same as for voice, plus a few for unattended data stations.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Digital voice: DMR, D-STAR, Fusion and NXDN

You need a radio made for the system you want, since different digital voice systems may not be compatible. The UK Repeaters site lists and maps D-STAR, DMR, Fusion and NXDN repeaters separately.

Digital voice radios can embed your call sign in the signal, so if you borrow one, set your own. Before you transmit on a channel shared with FM, check nobody is using it in another mode, though the syllabus warns that check isn’t 100% reliable.

BandDigital voice calling
2 m144.6125 MHz
70 cm438.6125 MHz
6 m50.630 MHz
23 cm1297.725 MHz

The band plan asks digital voice users not to call on 145.500 MHz, the FM calling channel.

UK Repeaters (RSGB ETCC): DMR list and map ↗Using repeaters →

Data modes from a computer

With a computer and an interface you can send and receive several kinds of data signal. If you connect anything other than the supplied microphone, the press-to-talk line and the audio levels must be right, and careful adjustment keeps distortion down. Turn off warning beeps and alerts from other programs, or they can go out on air.

The band plan keeps narrow segments for these modes on most bands, plus segments for unattended data stations.

ModeWhat the band plan saysWhere to find it
PSK31A narrowband mode (500 Hz or less) and a machine-generated modeFrom 7.040 MHz on 40 m; 50.305 MHz PSK Centre of Activity on 6 m
RTTYA narrowband and machine-generated modeNarrowband segments such as 14.070-14.089 MHz; 144.600 MHz data Centre of Activity on 2 m
JTxx modesMachine-generated modes that rely fully on computer processingNarrowband segments, such as 14.070-14.089 MHz
FT8Named in the 5 MHz notes, which ban out-of-band transmissionsOn 5 MHz (Full only), inside the permitted segments
WSPRListed with its own frequencies; above 30 MHz they’re the centre of the transmitted signalOn 5 MHz within 5.362-5.3745 MHz, and on the other bands as the plan shows
RSGB band plan 2026 ↗The UK band plan →

What licence rules apply to ham radio digital modes?

  • No encryption that hides the meaning of a message, except control signals for amateur satellites.
  • Identify when you change mode, including a change of digital protocol, and give your call sign in a format that suits the mode.
  • Any licensee can run a data station or a gateway at up to 5 W ERP. Intermediate and Full licensees can run a data station at up to 25 W ERP with a call sign the RSGB allocates.
  • On 5 MHz, a Full-only band, keep digital signals such as FT8 inside the permitted segments. On 5.357 MHz the signal must never go above 5.358 MHz.
All the Ofcom licence rules →
Sources: RSGB · UK Repeaters and 3 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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