HAM RADIO: How To Call CQ - Guide For New Ham Radio Operators

If you have recently or will soon gain your first Amateur / Ham radio licence then this guide could help you in your approach to calling CQ.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Yeah, and some older operators should take a lesson as well from you. No one is perfect and we all know it. A video worth doing Tim.

[@paulwithers1803]

Mm lol

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@paulwithers1803 I did say SOME and it didn't refer to all Older Operators. There are good and bad everywhere lol.

[@OnTheMicwithMike]

A great introduction for new operators indeed! The biggest fear for anyone starting out who maybe haven't done any DX previously, maybe from an 11m background - is the calling out, and the anxiety around what to say after contact is made. And also the fear of making mistakes, but you soon learn we all make them... i've even called people the wrong callsign altogether by mistake, but that's how we learn :) A very helpful video for new members to the hobby. Great stuff! 73' :)

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks mate 73

[@christishusbandakastan7618]

I’m from the US and just tested today for the initial license here and should receive my call sign and be official in the next day or two. This video was extremely helpful. I’ll look forward to your follow up video.

[@timg5tm941]

Great to hear it’s helped you Stan. I wish you well on the air and maybe will work you some day 73

[@andythemad01]

Really useful video Tim. I was a G7 now an M0 and had forgoten a lot of the "best practice" operating procedures with it being some 20years between getting my RAE and actually affording a shack. Thanks M0EDV 73s

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Andy. Yes it’s so easily forgotten over that sort of time period. Hope you are enjoying the hobby 73

[@theosavidis2330]

Thanks Tim, I've had my call sign M3 for a few years now, but I've only just recently got back into Ham Radio. Very informative for me, as I'm what you may call Mic shy. = )

[@timg5tm941]

Theo Savidis that’s great I’m glad it’s helped you and welcome back!

[@utkf16]

Very useful especially when new to the hobby and having to prep for the Foundation Licence and beyond w/o the benefit of going to a club, thanks

[@timg5tm941]

My pleasure I’m glad you found it useful 73

[@RianGalway193]

Great video Tim. I think it is great doing the foundation online.. However some people coming into the hobby that weren't 11m users like us don't really get the experience of calling CQ like you and I done at the foundation. Its people like you Cal, Carl, and the other chap's on KZbin who are sharing knowledge with newly licensed operators. Keep up the great work Tim.. Just to add, i am sick of people moaning that the bands are dead and they are NOT calling CQ. The next guy who has the same attitude won't call CQ because of the same reason 'The bands are dead' Call CQ and you never know who will come back to you. A lot of operators all over the world and rightly so are giving m6/m7 users prefferential and that's great to see. Keep it up Tim.

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you very much for your kind comments and I completely agree that if more call CQ the bands would liven up. Appreciate your support, thank you. 73

[@mikes6844]

Great advise TIM 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 As an instructor part of the syllabus is to get students to operate on HF and VHF. I always encourage each individual to write a little script down they can follow should they get tongue tied or feel a little overwhelmed. We’ve all suffered the same way at some stage of our hobby. Coming from VHF to HF was a big jump for me personally (we weren’t allowed on HF if you were a B licence holder). Don’t let shyness or lack of confidence spoil a great hobby, more you do the easier it becomes. Thanks for posting Tim, I get the feeling you are adding great advice and value for many. 73 de M0AZE Mike

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Mike, your input here is much appreciated. 73

[@matthewroe2166]

Thank you for the video. I am recently licensed. Feel really nervous everytime I go on the radio. This video has helped to explain what I should be doing. Will have a go putting it into practice.

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant!

[@phillipsiviter2024]

Thanks Tim, my club are training exactly the same way over QSO’s. Looking forward to my first time on the air - hopefully first week in September.

[@timg5tm941]

Be good to hear you Philip 73

[@M0RMY]

Thanks Tim - very useful and sensible advice. I am sure that a lot of us (me included) are guilty of not calling CQ enough - expecting someone else to be there to talk to! Perhaps we should have a "call CQ" event!

[@timg5tm941]

Now that is a great idea. Light up 2 Metres night with some guys dotted on high ground around the UK.

[@stuart19760191]

Great video as always tim , we could go on forever about the donts, but if we all follow the same CQ procedures when calling we know what the caller is doing and also when we can respond to that operator

[@timg5tm941]

Totally agree Stuart 73

[@stevemurphy692]

Thanks Tim - very helpful

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks!

[@ianxfs]

All useful advice 👍🏻

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Ian 👍

[@markg6jvy135]

Nice clear info Tim 👍

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Mark 👍

[@theoldhobbit3640]

Tim, excellent introduction for the newcomer or mic-shy operator. It took me quite a long time to get up enough courage to CQHF but what I did find very helpful was to get onto the local repeater or club net and talk, talk and talk some more. HF: One of the things that infuriates me more than anything, is the more experienced operators who use made up phonetics. By that I mean from a newcomers point of view they are expecting to hear the "Standard" phonetics but instead hear all kinds of different words (Foxtrot Golf Zulu = France Germany Zanzibar) When I first heard this I honestly thought the operators where either calling for those countries or it was where they were from HiHi. I now realise that these are used for clarity, but some use them all the time. VHF: Again, the more experienced operators will use the old "S" numbers for QSY, but us newbies haven't got a clue what that is :). Honestly I'm not a grumpy M6, but some consistency would be a great help to those just coming on board. Once again, thank you for an extremely useful introduction and reminder on how its done. M6KVK

[@timg5tm941]

Some great observations here thank you very much 👍

[@mikes6844]

I teach Foundation and Intermediate, many I teach are very shy and feel self conscious when we put them on the radio. You overcome this over time. I remember the feelings well, getting tongue tied and still do sometimes. My advice is go for it, you’ve established your own standards, they are the correct ones, as by sticking to it you continue to set a great example for others to follow. Above all enjoy a hobby I’ve loved for over 40 years. All the best M0AZE.

[@timg5tm941]

Mike S Superb advice 👍

[@vimmeh]

A very informative video Tim, just what I was looking for :) Having come back to radio after a 25 year 'family' break I'm looking to get back on the air and trying to get over 'mic fear' for a second time. 73 G7KDM :)

[@timg5tm941]

Welcome back Colin and I hope to hear you some day. 73

[@johng7rwf419]

Very good Tim, my only comment is that when using a microphone is not to speak to fast. A common problem amongst news and old hams.

[@timg5tm941]

Good point

[@MikeM0XMX]

Good stuff Tim. Well presented.

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you sir 👍

[@m7edmrobin440]

Great vid Tim 😁

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Robin! 73

[@garryvandeensmith2133]

All sound advice Tim, only thing I could add is to have a pen & paper to hand to note down their call sign etc., & to make sure your VHF/UHF Rig is in Frequency mode. Yep, I fell foul of the last one myself when trying to QSY having made a contact in "Channel mode" on 145.500 LOL

[@timg5tm941]

Good points 👍

[@boxingday11]

Thanks Tim, good topic, well presented. Regards,Carl.

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Carl 👍

[@sararassner]

Thank you, very helpful!

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you I am glad it helped. 73

[@StuM0OVG]

Great video Tim this will help loads of people, De 2E0OVG

[@timg5tm941]

Appreciate the comment Stuart. I hope it does help the new guys and those returning to this great hobby. 73

[@jamesgoacher1606]

Auseful and practical video. Thank you.

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks James 73

[@M0RSF]

Good video Tim that I’m sure will be of use. We should all welcome the newly licensed to our hobby. I was out doing SOTA yesterday but no video as just wanted a day out. Did 2M which was good but 40M wasn’t great. Keep up the good work. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@timg5tm941]

Completely agree Chris. I look forward to your next video. 73

[@Amyr61]

Very helpful!! Thanks a lot! Keep it up!

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Amy I’ll try and keep this going 73

[@sonnyjrcruz3022]

Hi Tim, That's a good one for a starter... Cheers..! Appreciate and 73's

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks!

[@RadioAntics]

Nice video!

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks!

[@hubercats]

Thanks for the helpful tips! - Jim (KK7CSC)

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Jim

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Good stuff Tim.....👍 🍺

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Roly!

[@Retrooms]

Very informative thanks i'm a relatively new M7 and have been wondering if I'm doing it all wrong! Silly question maybe, but should we check by asking if a calling frequency is in use? I would usually just monitor for a good while but I don't ask, perhaps i should? (Not that i have ever heard anyone on 2m calling on my little ht!) Thanks

[@timg5tm941]

No such thing as a silly question. The answer is that you do not need to check that the calling frequency is free. However, for you to be heard it’s best to wait for a gap before calling CQ. Hope that’s ok. Thank you very much indeed for stopping by and commenting 73

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Tim, Enjoyed the video. Very useful info. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Don. You too sir. 73

[@paulsnape2241]

Thanks Tim very informative. MM7PRJ

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Paul 73

[@janhenkins]

Thanks Tim, this gives me a bit more courage! :-) 73 de Jan Henkins (M7HNK)

[@timg5tm941]

Great to hear it! 73

[@mikes6844]

Most of us have felt the same way, after 40 years I can still get a little tongue tied. I teach this stuff and I always advise students to write a little script down first. UR sig 59, my name is etc etc. Others you connect with will just want to chat and it becomes a little more natural. More you do easier it becomes. Above everything else just enjoy a great hobby. I have for over 40 years. All the best M0AZE.

[@TBGaels32]

146.520 is the national calling frequency on simplex here in the US

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks for the info Adam 73

[@TBGaels32]

@@timg5tm941 No worries. 73 de KJ7SBN

[@JonStow]

I wish all new operators would watch this. Very good and recommended. de G4MCU

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Jon 73

[@philipgriffiths7129]

Hi Tim, I had my first QSO today on 70cm using the repeater on the Isle of Wight (GB3IW) using a TYT UV 380 handheld from Portsdown Hill - had a cracking good conversation with a local on the island. I live in Waterlooville and could not raise any repeaters from there. I am unable to put an antenna in the loft as it has aluminium cladding, do you have any suggestions (unable to put up a proper outside antenna at this stage). Thanks to your excellent video I was far more confident about my first QSO regards, Philip M7GEP

[@timg5tm941]

That’s great you hear Philip! What bands are you looking to work? Is it 2/70?

[@philipgriffiths7129]

Tim G5TM yes Tim 2/70 thanks for replying Regards Philip

[@timg5tm941]

May I ask what is stopping the outdoor antenna?

[@shastaham7630]

Invariably my 2m CQ's first response is some lid telling me that CQ is not used on 2m.

[@timg5tm941]

Well there’s a calling frequency and you can use it. Ignore them and plough on is my advice. 73

[@wblue74]

So far had 0 replies to CQ on 2 metres. But there are people listening because I heard someone get a ticking off from several listeners for chatting on the calling channel. He had a fair point though. If they can hear his chat they can hear his CQ. So why not answer?

[@timg5tm941]

One of life’s big mysteries when it comes to 2 metres

[@desbelfastireland9982]

HELLO . THANKS FOR THE POST ..68CT022

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Des.

[@barrystamper528]

So many acronyms...What is CQ?

[@timg5tm941]

There’s many answers to this but it boils down to seeking a contact

[@Scif64]

Or you could pick up a morse key or paddle hi hi. 73s

[@timg5tm941]

Now that’s a whole new world for me. Maybe one day!