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Question by Good name: Calling CQ on ham radio?
So I been into ham radio for a few months and just got my HF rig. So get me strait about something. I just call cq until someone responds?
My other question is that people just repeat there call sign over and over again. Is that there way for calling CQ, because I do it how th book says to.
Best answer:
Answer by Daniel K
Good name – I’m not sure what they are doing by continually repeating their call sign. It may be a contest.
Keep on calling CQ as the book says – that is the right way to do it.
What do you think? Answer below!
The suggestions you have are correct, but there’s one thing I’d like to clarify.
Calling CQ CQ CQ constantly, without pausing for a few minutes to see if you have a response, will produce a lot of frustration, on your part and everyone else’s. There are guys that do this, and they usually end up getting the same response from me as they probably are from other hams, we move the big knob and listen elsewhere. Listening is a very important quality.
If you try a CQ and then listen for 3-4 minutes, moving a little to see if someone is trying to tune in on you, both up and down, and then try it again.
I am pretty sure the operating manual emphasizes this.
If you follow the book, you’ll develop good habits that will stay with you throughout your life.
AB9BD
licensed since 1968
I hate contests!!!!!
Just find a quiet spot, and call….
CQ CQ CQ this is [your call here], [your call here]
repeat…
Then listen!
repeat as needed.
If you want to get your feet wet, check out some of the common freqs,
28.400, 18.157.5, 14.300, 7.258 – these are common net freqs and calling freqs.
Yes, just call CQ until someone responds.
When you hear people just giving out a call, they may be responding to someone Else’s CQ. They may be using split frequencies, or the propagation is not allowing you to hear the other station calling CQ. If the other station is in high demand, (rare DX, or contest station), they may have to manage a lot of responding stations. If so, the will expect stations that respond to their CQ to give just a brief transmission of the call sign.