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Chameleon Knowledge Base · The Complete Online HF Antenna Handbook

What Is Olivia?

Olivia is a family of robust MFSK digital modes designed for readable keyboard communication under weak, noisy, and fading HF conditions.

Digital Communications Legacy & Specialized Digital Modes Reviewed 2026-07-14
What it means on the air: Olivia is a family of robust MFSK digital modes designed for readable keyboard communication under weak, noisy, and fading HF conditions.

Why operators use it

Different tone counts and bandwidths are distinct variants; both stations must use the same settings and sufficient tuning accuracy. Robustness comes with slower throughput and wider occupancy than some weak-signal modes.

Where the contact goes wrong

Calling “Olivia” without stating the tone/bandwidth combination leaves the other operator guessing and may place a wide signal in an unsuitable segment.

A cleaner operating method

Agree on the variant, use the accepted calling area and legal bandwidth, center the signal, keep audio clean, type at a pace the mode can carry, and identify normally.

Operating boundary

Use current software and radio documentation, published band plans, applicable licensing rules, and the lowest power that closes the path. A decode, map position, or automated exchange does not by itself prove end-to-end communication.

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