Friday 20 January 2017

How to call CQ

 

How to call CQ


The Q codes are widely used on SBB radio as well on many other bands and are used specifically when giving instructions on the radio.

Calling 'CQ' is the understood way to say 'I am calling any station' on a frequency.

Probably the most commonly heard I'd 'CQ DX' meaning calling any long distance station. 

There are some variations such as 'CQ 11 Metres' or 'CQ Any US stations' where one is saying anyone me in the 11Metre band and the other any US Stations. 

You may slap here division codes. For example 'any division 26 (Two Six) stations' meaning any U.K. stations. 

You would normally include your call sign as part of the CQ call so people will know who to respond to 

For example 'This is Two Six Charlie Tango One Nine Nine Four calling CQ and standing by'

You would then wait to hear a response such as Charlie Tango station.... or Soneone may announce their call sign when responding 'this is Alpha Papa Two zero calling Charlie Tango One Nine nine four'. You then will have made a contact. 

You will usually then be asked or should suggest moving off of the calling channel. You would ask your contact to QSY to another frequency. 

' Charlie Tango QSY to 27.585' 

You would then move to the suggested frequency and wait to be called.  

Alpha Papa Two Zero calling Charlie Tango one nine nine four' and the contact can continue on the new frequency. 

To qualify as a true QSO a number of pieces of information need to be understood by both operators. This is especially important in DX conpitions. 

A QSO consisted of
Operator Call sign 
Operator Personal
Operator QTH
Signal Report

If recording this in a log book you would also record the date time and frequency the contact was made

 

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