To decode and read the VOA Radiogram text and image transmissions, you will need the following items:

1. A shortwave radio. The radio does not need to have single sideband (SSB) capability. Even if you do have SSB capability, listening in the AM setting will probably work best.

2. A basic personal computer. It does not have to be particularly powerful.

3. A patch cord from the audio output of the radio to the audio input of the PC. This is usually from the earphone jack of the radio to the microphone jack of the PC. If you do not have a patch cord, placing your radio’s speaker near the built-in mic of a laptop PC (“acoustic coupling”) might work. If your PC has one of those “combo” audio jacks, i.e. no separate mic jack, you will probably need a USB audio adapter (like this one or this) to give you a proper microphone input. Use of your earphone jack will probably mute your radio’s speaker, but you might be able to configure your PC’s audio settings to hear the audio from your PC’s speakers or through headphones connected to the PC. You can also use a Y adapter: send audio to your PC through one output, listen on an earphone through the other.

4. Software to decode the digital text. This includes the free Fldigi program (also download companion Flmsg and Flamp programs), as well as MixW, MultiPSK, DM780 (part of Ham Radio Deluxe), and others. Configure the software for the soundcard your PC uses. You might also have to go into your PC’s audio settings to select the correct record source. You should see a “waterfall,” showing audio from your radio, moving from top to bottom. A good way to test this is to find a station playing music. If you have a radio with SSB capability, tune to 14070 kHz USB and try to decode the BPSK31 amateur stations that are often heard on this frequency.