Radio Procedures and Etiquette

Congratulations on your new lisense. We understand that getting on the air can be a bit intimdiating. Don't worry, we all were new hams once. Take the time to listen to the various repeaters. In general, following these simple guidelines go a long way toward making you sound like a seasoned pro. When you talk on the radio, talk like you are talking to someone across the table, not across town or across the country. Use English and avoid jargon as much as possible. Q-codes are really a Morse Code short hand. They have their place when voice communications are marginal. . Say, "my wife" rather than the "XYL" . Avoid falling into the habit of using cute-ism. "Roger Roger" "QSL on that" . Speak like you were talking to someone face to face. Key the mic, THEN start to talk. Some radio require a bit of time to "wake up" and the first part of our transmissions can be lost. Also, make sure you have finished talking before you un-key the mic. Say your callsign clearly. You worked hard to get it, so say it clearly and proudly. Avoid phonetics unless you are asked to do so or the communications are scratchy. When you use the phonetics, use standard phonetics. "Alpha, Bravo, Charlie... etc.. Trying to decipher King Charlie Zero Jasper Xylophone Freeloader, for KCØJXF is difficult. If you are listening and would like to have a conversation, just give your callsign. You can add "monitoring", or "listening", but there isn't any real reason to. Using the term CQ on a repeater is generally discouraged. When you wish to communicate on a frequency, listen for a little while before talking, there may be a conversation in progress. If you want to join a conversation in progress, just interject your callsign between transmissions rather than using the term "Break". You will be acknowldeged and allowed into the conversation. If you have an emergency, give your callsign and say "Emergency" rather than using "BREAK BREAK" . Saying "Emergency" will make it clear you why you are interupting and will also get more attention from those just listening. Hold the mic several inches away from your mouth and talk in a normal tone of voice. Don't mumble, don't yell, talk normally. Make sure you ID according to the rules, but avoid over ID'ing. If you are using a repeater system, the repeater has a timer so that it can ID every 10 minutes. When ever you hear the repeater send it's ID, that;s a good time to send yours, too. The term 73, is pronounced seven three. It is a Morse Code term that has found its way into the voice community. The term means "best regards" so saying "seven threes" or "seventy-threes" is a bit like says "Best Regardses". The term 88 is pronounced "eight eight" and means "hugs and kisses" so be careful who you send 88 to. It is illegal to "ker-chunk" a repeater. That is to key your radio and transmit for just a moment so that the repeater transmits, usually you hear the "courtesy beep" afterwards. This is also annoying to the repeater owners and control operators. If you want to make sure you are transmitting okay, make sure you give your callsign. Have fun. These are just a few pointers to help you sound like an old pro. Enjoy the hobby and remember, no matter what happens on the air, always be nicer than the other guy. If you hear bad operating, just ignore it. Never acknowledge interference, ignore it and if necessary more to another frequency.