Calling CQ - Quick Tip for Newbies

[@UpcomingChris]

I passed my foundation exam yesterday, so this is perfect timing!

[@DD5LP]

Congrats Chris!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Congratulations and hope you are already on the air or get on the air soon.

[@UpcomingChris]

@@Steve-GM0HUU Thanks! Excited to start filling up the logbook soon on SSB & CW!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

WOW!!!

[@yorkshiresfinestpair]

Congratulations 👏 I've only had mine for a little over 4 weeks and had a radio for less than 1 week. Loving it so far but doing more listening than transmitting..

[@thormusique]

Callum, I love how you don't just cater to seasoned amateurs or condescend to ham newbies. It's always wonderful to hear new hams welcomed (and tutored) into the community. It's so easy to forget that so much of what we take for granted or barely think about can be quite daunting to new hams. Keep up the great work, cheers!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good point..

[@PortableRadio]

Great video, Callum! If you want your CQ to be answered within one minute, do a SOTA or POTA activation and spot yourself. It works also on a Tuesday afternoon because you're the DX 😃. 73 Stephan

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good tip!

[@flipster7285]

Calling CQ DX with low power can be challenging, but oh so satisfying when you hear a Hawaii station answering and you are in ZS! But, it does take perseverence, and its worth it. New operators should maybe also check propagation trends where you live. Bands shift, open and close, so be aware of possible operable bands when you start calling.

[@applejacks971]

@@flipster7285 I have a hard enough time with 50-90 watts, let alone 5w! I think I'd enjoy QRP though if I was able to do SOTA. Just seeing how far you can get out with 5w would be exciting! Living here in Nebr, not much for hills/mountains :)

[@Stephen_Orion]

Thanks Callum, now studying for my Foundation exam..These videos are very helpful. many many thanks..

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Best of luck! And thanks for coming along on the channel!

[@JD144-]

I’m just got my Technician license in July, and upgraded to General in August. Still slowly putting together hf station as I can. So far have an IC718 and a tuner, working on the rest. Anyway, thanks for the information for new guys like me and for trying to help us be successful in the hobby.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

That is awesome!

[@thomasperina2990]

Hello Lord Callum : Thank you for this video & reminding us all to really stick to the basics. I'm certain you found this type of video terribly boring but I for one enjoy your videos & always learn something or a terrific refresher course. Since I lost my wife last year I'm building a station from scratch even though I really got started in radio back in the middle 60's. I'm always open to learn or be retrained. 73's, Take care Old Chap, TMP from N.J.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I am sorry for your loss. I hope Ham Radio will continue to give you the extra spark to keep your spirits up. Good luck - and thinking of you.

[@MAV8865]

Cracking Video Cal.. Always good to have a reminder, thanks doing it.

[@elmodiddly]

I passed mine 4 years ago during lockdown, but only had a UV5R and lived in a dip so did not make contacts very well. Packed it up as I ended up single again shortly after! 4 years later I've got a new FMT300 and decent loft antenna, can't get one installed outside, dialled in local repeaters and calling frequencies but am scared to death of calling CQ!! Thanks for the tips Callum, loved the two live broadcasts you've just done, gives me an inkling of what to say and how to say it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, good work!

[@ths3900]

Good pointers on calling CQ. Thanks

[@vitinhokd]

Greetings from Brazil my friend! I wish one day could hear your callsign to have a QSO! Congratulations for your amazing videos! 73 from PY2VTR!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you very much!

[@m7trsradio]

Morning Callum. I remember my first time and I was calling QC QC QC lol someone came back to me. He said is only came back to me because I was calling wrong. 😂 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA

[@Kevin_KC0SHO]

Great video Calum, thank you very much.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

All good advice Callum and, yes, CQ comes from the French sécurité, meaning safety. It was used by professional radio operators to signfify an important safety message follows by announcing, "sécurité sécurité sécurité". The first two syllables are see-kew giving the morse abbreviation CQ.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! Nice :)

[@chrisreid9231]

Still used in marine VHF comms currently "sécurité, sécurité, sécurité" preceeds safety announcement on Ch16 (156.800) and usually then moves to another working channel @@DXCommanderHQ

[@corsavic1]

ITs hams like you who keep ham radio alive so nice to go back other things explanation is brill you always have great vids please keep it up brilliant and thanks again M7ETK

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Much appreciated - thank you!

[@stevebarrett_WF3E]

Checklist in front of you is a good idea. The first thing I was told in law enforcement is to know what you are going to say before you key the mic. Just take that extra heartbeat or two and put your sentences together, then key and go! Above all, just have fun!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good tip!!

[@M7EUP]

Great video, thank you. I always thought CQ was “call to quarters” Probably just one of those lies that’s easy to believe like the 120 variations of where “HAM” originated.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good point!

[@1958johndeere620]

I just use your call sign and swear like a pirate. I get more turns than a revolving door in the red light district.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

But can you speak like a proper gent? Unlikely! LOL :)

[@andymans8482]

Thanks Callum, some great tips there! 73 Andy F4HCB

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Any time!

[@ianxfs]

All good advice Callum for someone starting out or new to using a voice mode 👍🏻Speaking from experience, I’m days away from 5 years since my first QSO having been off the air for 30+ years. I was nervous as hell….like ringing a prospective girlfriend for the first time (do people still use phones ❤?!). Me in my fifties, nervous about keying the mic 😮 Crikey. Anyway, for those reading this, you soon get into the swing of things and hesitant thoughts are a thing of the dim past 👍🏻 Good luck all G0CNN 😀

[@DXCommanderHQ]

But what about all your contesting on VHF..? You're not keying the mic then?

[@ianxfs]

@@DXCommanderHQ Not sure what you mean Callum? Contesting came later…started at the end of 2019, just before Covid….

[@fm71450]

Callum, Mr. Commander - thank you! All of my contacts - save one - have been POTA contacts. All enjoyable, but, I have wondered about making contacts OUTSIDE OF POTA. This video, succinct and very to-the-point, has cleared up my questions. From S.E. Tennessee, thank You. KQ4IXD

[@JacquesVermeulenZS1WC]

Good advise Cullum. I hope still to see you on the waterfall and have a Qso mate, 73's from ZA or down South. HI

[@DXCommanderHQ]

ZA.. Lovely!

[@yorkshiresfinestpair]

As a newly passed foundation license holder this is extremely helpful for me. Wish they were more for newbies like me.. 👍 73, M7PGT

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I try and do a "newbie" one at least once a month..

[@DirkNukem]

Side note on responding to a CQ. If the station is calling CQ DX and you happen to be in the same country as that station, don’t respond. They’re calling distant stations only. People on CB often say CQ DX when calling any stations anywhere, however this is not the case on ham radio. Also don’t bother calling CQ on 80m because you’ll just get laughed at and trolled. It’s a good ol boys club down there. Best you can do is say “station” in the middle of one of their round tables and they may come back to you. Otherwise just say CQ CQ CQ (whatever band you’re on) this is (your call sign) and listening. Repeat that over and over on the upper end of the band where there’s less traffic like Callum said and you’ll be good. Or just do what I do and call CQ next to the heavyweights because you have a dx commander and don’t give af.

[@paulsengupta971]

I don't believe that's correct in terms of 80m, you call CQ there just like anywhere else. I hear people all over the place calling CQ on 80m, particularly in the upper bit, the "DX portion", around 3790-3800.

[@PRODIGY5369]

I bloody well love you Callum. ❤️

[@g4lmn-ron401]

Lots of radios have the ability to record, so record the CQ message, you can get it just right and with the happy inflection in your voice. So if you do have to call CQ a dozen times you sound happy and cheerful every time and your throat does not get sore. Its really useful for competitions. I still use a checklist after all these years, especially for CW. I am easily confused, especially in my senior years.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good idea!

[@brianfields4479]

Nice advice. My old man always told me listen and listen, you can learn heaps from other experienced op,s like yourself.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Honestly, I still feel like a newbie sometimes!

[@av-ji9qy]

excellent video....straight to the point....your always on point

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Glad you think so!

[@dondonaldson1684]

Great advice Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fab!

[@martinuk777]

Dad has his checklist but he runs through most of it in the first over 😂

[@timprice1284]

Another great video Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Legend!

[@don1estelle]

It's quite possible CQ is from french! May-day is baced on French for "Come Help Me" m'aide (full verb I'm told) its possible other Radio calls are from French!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, it is still the Official International Language (hence Olympic Games etc always in French). But not the widest used language!

[@bassmanjr100]

Callum. I appreciate you going through the beginners tips. Could you talk about QSL cards sometime? Seems like I do not need them? Do I? What is expected in our electronic age, where nothing is mailed. Where would I get them if I did want them? I normally just log a contact in QRZ and export that to LBOTW. Am I doing this right? Thanks much.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good idea.. Let's get Tim in the studio and we can chat about it.. Watch out for that one.

[@JxH]

'5&9' with a UK station? LOL They'll talk and discuss and ragchew until the band closes. Like being in a pub. Nice!

[@Tjeerd013]

Hello Callum, I miss the part at the end. When I end my QSO with a 73, I call with " QRZ this is PE1OJR" inviting a listening operator to call me. It works faster than to call CQ again.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well, do you need to be THAT fast? But OK..! :)

[@Tjeerd013]

I learned it from a experienced ham operator 30 years ago and I use it when I'm in a pile up. Normally I'd prefer CQ when there is no hurry 😀@@DXCommanderHQ

[@JimbobandJo]

Another useful video. Good work. When looking for somewhere to call cq , I'm mindful that a lot of people tune their antennas to mid band and tend to call around there to maximise signal. Just a thought. Maybe tune a little higher.....ZL1HIM

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm.. But does it REALLY matter.. My antenna is tuned at around 14.200 and I'm about 1.7:1 at 14.320 - and I often land up there.. Power loss? In single digits I think.

[@JimbobandJo]

Ha ha well that theory is down the toilet. Still makes me wonder why the congregation around centre.

[@kylefreemason]

I find since the creation of pota, calling cq nets less response. Seems people will chase pota but be more prone to spin the vfo past someone calling cq. I don’t do pota activation but I do enjoy calling cq and having a ragchew.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I am truly a sucker for always answering a CQ call if I can :)

[@kylefreemason]

@@DXCommanderHQ Me too, 73 Cal!

[@martinuk777]

And I concur with another comment here, use the cluster, spot yourself, especially if you’ve got an angle. My father’s an intermediate licence and I spot our calls with Father & Son in the comments. Dad’s a bit mic shy but loves it because everyone that answers is always up for a short chat.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice one Martin!

[@andybibby342]

Callum, could you give us/me a short video of how to correctly give a ‘radio report’ and what it actually means please. Being an M7 and from a cb background, I was put in place by a seasoned operator who was not impressed when I said he was a radio 5 and 30+. He reply to me, probably correctly, but I felt rudely, that I should read up on it and learn the correct usage, he rattled off this site like a lawyer. I was a bit taken back but apologised to him for my cb term error. I can’t be the only one, perhaps there are a few of us, but former cb converts seasoned hams aren’t so speculative? Thanks Andy. M7YDU.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Now.. I did a video about that - but I can always do it again. Check out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boPKnJ-LdtN6eM0

[@Proc3000]

The most important is asking if the frequency is in use. I was running POTA a couple weeks ago and this guy just started calling CQ on top of me and when my little pile up complained to him, he just said "you all need to move, this is where I like to be". And he just kept up. Rude.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wow.. I would have recorded him and published it :)

[@Proc3000]

@@DXCommanderHQ should have. Just easier to spin that dial and keep having fun.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

2:55 Keeping in mind the bandwidth typically 3 KHz starting with the dial frequency and going UP (if using Upper Sideband, the custom in 20 meters or 14 MHz) so if you put your dial ending "3" then your sideband extends over someone else's "5" and you are going to hear some of that "5" and they are going to hear your "3". Same with 7; it avoids the 10 (zero) but overlaps the "5". frequencies whose whole number ends with 5 are not very graceful. Every 3 KHz is great. Sticking with 5's and 0's even better and you get a small 2 KHz *guard band* between QSO's. 0, 3,7 then 0, 3 7 again works reasonably well with a tiny 1 KHz wasted (guard band) between the 3 and the 7.

[@martinuk777]

That’s assuming your adjacent station has a 3kHz bandwidth, and not 30kHz like some European stations with their overdriven amplifiers made by a company called “Hoooooorla”

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I'm not talking strong stations here.. I am talking about a pile up that might be happening over the skip zone. SOME of your callers will be able to hear both - even if you can't.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

@@martinuk777 Yes, agreed. Once the splatter starts there's not a lot anyone can do.

[@adyg6ad73]

Now you have watched the video, get on the bands and call people. Keep SSB alive!

[@martinuk777]

Tell you what’d make a good video Cal, one on the fkn European stations that have massive antennas and 20,000kW amplifiers and have a 20-30kHz bandwidth on SSB. Your freq ending 3 or 7 to escape the 5 or 0 won’t matter with these, you’ll be splattered all over anyway. Arrogance, over driving their amps just to squeeze every last watt out of the amp to work long path to VK/ZL and get 9+30db reports to feed their ego. Italy and Croatia are by far the worst for this in my opinion, it’s like they’re down the road. And of course, right in that heavyweight section that you mentions, in fact, about 14.190-14240 in my experience.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

The point is, if I am on the same freq as another op and we can't hear each other - but the operator half-way between us can.. well, join the dots :)

[@darrentilley9495]

Great video 👍 had my licence 5 days and im itching to get on my G90 when my mag loop arrives - 73 MM7FJI

[@DXCommanderHQ]

FAB!

[@stargazer7644]

There's an article on the origin of CQ on wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CQ_(call)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

That is the one I showed you in the video and is in the description! Maybe you didn't watch the video :)

[@wisteela]

Great guide 73 M7TUD

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@philsimprezawrx]

👍👍👍👍👍👍🫶👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ncphotos]

Great video! de W2CSI