Digital Radio: How to create your own Internet

Yes. You’re hearing me, right. I bought a Yaesu transceiver, a cheap Lenovo ThinkPad laptop, and some cables. Then I created my own Internet.

I can use my radio, a Yaesu FT-891 transceiver, and my Windows 11 laptop to build my own Internet. You probably have your own internet, it’s how you’re reading my article now! However, you are probably relying on a service provider and an electric provider to give you access to the Internet. You can contact your friends or loved ones overseas, but only because you pay a fee to the cell phone and Internet company.

 

What if I told you, you could communicate with the world without an internet service provider?

 

You can! And it’s a big reason I got into HAM radio. I can not only get on my microphone and talk with people all over the world; I can actually send them texts and files -with no internet service provider (ISP) needed.

 

Most of us “HAMs” use a system called “FT8” and an application called “WSJT-X” to send digital messages worldwide. FT8 is fantastic! We can see everyone who is active around the world, and we can contact them immediately. FT8 was initially created in 2001 and re-released in 2017 by a HAM radio operator named Joe Tayor (K1JT). FT8 uses 8 audible tones to transcribe small text messages into radio waves. So, using FT8, I’m able to send messages across the world using only a battery-powered laptop and radio. It’s like having a SMS/text message service without ever having to pay!

 

FT8 not only uses audible tones, but also employs error corrections, so that distortions in the transmission don’t create errors in the received message. Additionally, FT8 only uses 50 Hz, a very small portion of the available broadcast band. So, a lot of people can use FT8 at once without any service disruption. It’s also more efficient. I can spend all day talking on my radio’s microphone using 100 watts, and I won’t get to hear to anyone. With FT8, I can get a contact in Italy using only 15 watts!

 

FT8 is a data stream just like your WiFi network or the data you receive cell phone service on. But, it’s totally free and uses the radio spectrum bands the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has deemed FREE for amateur use. It’s like a more complex version of Morse code. Various tones are sent out via a radio and antenna, and are then transcribed by a receiving “station”, another person with a radio and a laptop with WSJT-X.

 

I’m not a computer scientist, so I can’t get into the details of how FT8 works. However, Thomas Brooks (KE1R) wrote an excellent article for QST Magazine explaining how the tone and error correction work. If you know as much as Tom, you’ll be set for life, because digital communication, whether it be via HAM radio, online, or on our cell phones, is critically important to our communications infrastructure.  Without it, how could you call your mom and dad on the weekends, bet on the Cleveland Cavaliers to win another NBA game, or post a good looking selfie to Instagram?

 

Fundamentally, those phones and systems we use are just like HAM radio and FT8. They’re more complex and private (encrypted), sure. But they basically use the same tech that we HAM’s use to talk on FT8. So, using digital modes like FT8 is not only a fun hobby, it teaches us how all digital communications work. Who knows, maybe the power and internet will go out and we’ll need HAM radio and FT8 to communicate? It’s happened before.