Apparatus and systems comprise a forward error correction (FEC) encoder to encode a data block to produce an encoded data block in a radio link control media access control (RLC-MAC) module. The EFC encoder may be coupled to a punctured subset selector to select a punctured subset of the encoded data block for transmission across a communication link. The punctured subset selector may be coupled to a modulator to modulate the punctured subset of the encoded data block using a selectable modulation type selected by a modulation selector coupled to the modulator. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) logic may be coupled to the modulation selector to receive at least one of an acknowledgement (ACK) or a no-acknowledgement (NACK) that a previously-transmitted punctured subset of the encoded data block was successfully decoded at a receiving end of the communication link. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.