The process of coding information onto an RF carrier is a key aspect that enables modern wireless transmission. An RF/wireless engineer needs to understand how information can be represented as changes to the properties of a carrier, as well as the impediments that the carrier faces going from the transmit antenna to the receive antenna. Although the topic is complex, many key concepts are remarkably simple to understand and help to demystify assumptions concerning frequency, range, and bandwidth requirements for example. Furthermore, understanding the basic modulation types serves as a foundation for understanding how today's elaborate commercial standards work, by seeing them as the combination of familiar building blocks alongside other more advanced techniques.