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Modulation
Classes of radio emission - this page is a stub

In the past, the type of modulation of a transmitter or receiver, was specified as an abbreviation, such as AM for Amplitude Modulation, or FM for Frequency modulation. In the late 1970s, the designators for all modulation types were standardised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), resulting in a complex scheme of confusing identifiers that changed over time [1].

The new designators follow a scheme that has been agreed by the telecom authorities of most countries, and cover even the most complex modern digital modulation types. Confusingly how­ever, it does not discriminate between Lower Side Band (LSB) and Upper Side Band (USB), which is why many radio amateurs and professionals are still using the original (legacy) designators. 1

  1. LSB and USB are both covered by J3E (formerly A3J), the designator for Single Side Band (SSB) with suppressed carrier.  Wikipedia

Analogue
Some examples
Below is a non-exhaustive overview of radio frequency (RF) modulation types that are used with some of the equipment described on this website. The list may be expanded in the future and suggestions for improvement are welcome. For a more complete overview, see  Wikipedia.

NewOldLegacyDescription
A0NA0CWTelegraphy without modulated subcarrier
A1AA1CWContinuous Wave, or AM ON/OFF keying
A1BA1RTTYRadio Teletype
A2AA2MCWModulated tone with carrier
A2B A2 AFSK Audio Frequency Shift Keying - Radio Teletype (RTTY)
A3EA3AMAmplitude Modulation
F1AF1CWTelegraphy with frequency shift keying
F1B F1 FSK Frequency Shift Keying - Radio Teletype (RTTY)
F2B F2 AFSK Audio Frequency Shift Keying - Radio Teletype (RTTY)
F1CF4FAXFacsimile
F3CF4FAXFacsimile
F3EF3FMFrequency Modulation
F7BF6MFSKMulti-Frequency Shift Keying
H3EA3HSSBSingle Sideband with full carrier
J2AA2JCWTelegraphy, modulated tone, suppressed carrier
J2BA2JPSKPhase-shift keying, e.g. PSK31 (BPSK31)
J3EA3JSSBSingle Side Band (USB or LSB), suppressed carrier
J7BA7JDSBDouble Side Band (independently modulated sidebands)
R3EA3AVSBVestigial Side Band, Single Side Band, reduced carrier
Common legacy modulation types
  • AM
    Amplitude Modulation
  • FM
    Frequency Modulation
  • SSB
    Single Side Band (either LSB or USB)
  • LSB
    Lower Side Band
  • USB
    Upper Side Band
  • PPM
    Pulse Position Modulation
Digital
Modulation types
  • PSK
    Phase Shift Keying
  • QPSK
    Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
  • DQPSK
    Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
Protocols
Pulse Position Modulation   PPM
t.b.a.


References
  1. Wikipedia, Types of radio emissions
    Retrieved April 2020.

  2. R&S manual of Transmission Methods
    4070.0711.02-03. Rohde & Schwarz, München (Germany) 2014.

  3. Utility DX-ers Forum (UDXF) website
    Retrieved March 2021.

  4. Wikipedia, Radioteletype
    Visited 12 July 2024.
Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 26 April 2020. Last changed: Saturday, 03 May 2025 - 13:44 CET.
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