In the early 1980s, Peter Martinez, G3PLX, created AMTOR (Amateur Teleprinting Over Radio), which became the first amateur HF digital mode offering error-free communication. AMTOR, an adaptation of the maritime SITOR mode, introduced forward error correction (FEC) and automatic repeat request (ARQ) mechanisms, significantly enhancing the reliability of data transmission over shortwave frequencies. This innovation allowed amateur radio operators to send and receive text-based messages with minimal errors, even under challenging propagation conditions. AMTOR’s development marked a pivotal advancement in digital communications for amateur radio, setting the stage for subsequent digital modes and fostering a new era of experimentation and capability in the amateur radio community.
