Ham radio etiquette: call signs, phonetic alphabet, Q codes and repeaters

TUREFF• •0

Amateur radio has its own way of speaking, and new operators often worry about sounding wrong on air. Most of it is common sense plus a few conventions that help people understand each other through noise and over long distances. Here is what you need for your first contacts.

Identify with your call sign

Your call sign is your identity on air, and identifying is a legal requirement, not just politeness.

In the US, FCC rules require you to give your call sign at the end of each communication and at least every 10 minutes during it.
In the UK, Ofcom's licence conditions set out when you must identify; read them and follow them exactly.
Never transmit without identifying, and never use someone else's call sign.

Listen first, then speak

Before transmitting, listen for a while to make sure the frequency is not in use.
On HF, ask "Is this frequency in use?" before calling.
Keep transmissions short so others can join or break in with something urgent.

The NATO phonetic alphabet

Letters such as B, D, E, P and T sound alike over a weak signal, so hams spell with the international phonetic alphabet: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu. Use these standard words rather than inventing your own; operators everywhere know them. Say each digit clearly, too.

Making a contact

Calling CQ (a general call for anyone) on HF: "CQ CQ CQ, this is [your call sign spelled phonetically], calling CQ and listening."
Answering: give their call sign once, then yours: "[Their call] this is [your call]."
The exchange: signal report, your name and location are typical. On HF, a signal report is often given as a number for readability and strength.
Ending: thank the other station and give your call sign.

Q codes

Q codes began as Morse shorthand and many are used in voice contacts too. Some common ones:

QRZ?: who is calling me?
QTH: location ("My QTH is Leeds").
QSL: I acknowledge receipt; also the card or electronic confirmation of a contact.
QSO: a contact or conversation.
QRM: man-made interference; QRN: natural noise such as static.
QRP: low power operating.
QSY: change frequency.

Use them where they help, but plain language is perfectly acceptable on voice.

Using repeaters

Pause between overs. Leave a few seconds after the other person stops, so anyone with an emergency or wanting to join can break in.
Keep it brief and do not tie up a busy repeater with a long conversation.
Announce yourself simply by giving your call sign and that you are listening; there is no need to call CQ on a repeater.
If you hear "break" or someone with priority traffic, stop and let them through.
Respect the repeater's rules: many are run by clubs and volunteers, and some have time-out timers that cut you off after a long transmission.
Check your offset and tone before transmitting so you do not key up the wrong repeater.

General good manners

No swearing, insults or arguments about politics and religion; you are heard by everyone.
Never transmit music or encrypted messages in the general amateur service, and never deliberately interfere with another station.
If someone is rude, do not respond; simply move on.
Help newcomers: everyone was nervous on their first contact.

Emergencies

If you hear a genuine emergency call, give it priority, clear the frequency, and pass information to the emergency services by the quickest means available, which is usually a phone. What was your first contact like, or what still makes you nervous about keying up? Share it or ask in the comments.