I was actually surprised to know that data transmission is doable on ham radio. Not sure why I was surprised since data transmission is possible through pretty much any protocol but it was cool to know the versatility of what many see as pretty basic radio.
Used to work with a radio enthusiast on sailing ships, he’d make posts to social media and check his email literally 1000 miles out to sea via radio.
Oh yeah, there are modes like DMR and YSF that are completely digital data. That really helps a lot because with analog, the further you got away from the repeater you are using, the scratchier your voice would become until you just weren’t understandable. With digital, you either make the system or you don’t. There’s no real in-between. You’re either able to be heard or you’re not. But if you are not able to be heard, your radio immediately notifies you.
Check out “slow scan tv” if you haven’t already. I have my amateur license and was surprised to learn all of the ways in which radio waves can be utilized
I first learned about SSTV over a decade ago from Portal! I remember I had to get a two sided 3.5mm audio cable to plug my computer’s speaker. https://youtu.be/DlIvnc-AZJQ (Video of someone decoding it.)
