“...What kinds of data rates?...”
Just about as fast as your equipment can handle. Boils down to how much do you want to spend. Me? I’m an “old guy” and don’t mess with digital too much. My “data rate” is abt 10-13 wpm (words per minute, morse code” in my old age....LOL
The technology has changed so fast, I’ve not kept up. I’m not sure what the fastest data rates are nowadays. I’ve been to my buddy’s HAM shack and he’s BIG into it. I’ve seen the contact conversations come across the his computer screen in a blitz...faster than one can read it as it comes across.
The computer in digital mode looks like the “Matrix.”
And you need to do both on both ends. What would be cool is to link it into the Internet.
Got a “blue racer”?
I got my tech HAM license 10 years ago, and I’m still learning. I’m a slow starter, but I finally setup a scanner, CB, and HAM station including all 3 antennas. One book that motivated me was from Sparks31 (sparks31.wordpress.com) called “Communications For 3%ers and Survivalists.” It details equipment and uses.
Use it or lose it. Enjoy!