Welcome to Digital Communications, you will need to have a few things before we start in order to do digital communications properly.  The first thing you will need is some kind of computer or PDA device.  Computers can be gotten for cheap now.  There are programs for Mac, Windows, DOS, Linux.

  I personally use Windows based for the most part and only because it is available to me.   There are several modes that are operated and seems like more are coming online everyday.   The second item you will need is an simple interface box that will plug into the computers sound card and the radio.

The computer will need a sound card and a serial comport for use with interface box or you can purchase a commercial interface box that has the sound card or ones that are USB instead of serial port.

The PDA device will need more likely than not the Windows format to download the different programs for it and the PDA serial interface.

 You can get an outboard TNC "Terminal Node Controller" such as Kantronics XL that will do several modes on both hf and vhf and no other interface box if using an outboard controller.  The problem is no TNC's I have seen will do ALL modes, but most.  This is a personal preference on which way you want to go.  I have divided this part into HF and VHF digital communications for you.   Every facet of the Ham Radio Hobby is a choice, you can get in for a little money, if you can "wheel and deal" or you can buy everything that you need.

HF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

VHF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS