Many people are discoverng the joys of digital voice transmission and using a hotspot to communicate with amateur radio operators worldwide, without the need for expensive HF radios and large antenna systems. The digital voice modes are terrific if you have moved into a smaller hoime and you want to stay in touch with the friends you have made over the years, or new friends you have yet to meet. People are happy to chat, unlike the HF bands where many operators are only interested in a brief exchange of signal reports. There is always someone on the reflector or 'in the room' at any time of the day or night. No listening for calls on a dead repeater system, or waiting for hours for the HF bands to open.

I have written about the three most popular modes. Each has its own quirks, features, and challenges. Yaesu Fusion is the easiset to setup but the radios are more expensive and the mode is less popular. There are two competing Fusion networks. DMR is extremely popular, and there are several worldwide networks. The radios are cheaper, but more difficult to set up. D-Star works very well, if you own an Icom radio, and it is easy to set up and use. It has a good worldwide network, but some features only work on genuine Icom repeaters (mostly in Japan).