Getting Started – Ham Radio Operating Dos and Don’ts

This is part of our Getting Started section for beginners to amateur radio. Here are some common operating tips and a few of the Dos and Don’ts that can help when you’re getting started on the air.

Using a Repeater

Settings: It’s important to set your radio up correctly. Check the repeater’s output frequency, input frequency or offset, and the correct CTCSS tone where one is required.

A useful source of current UK repeater information is UKRepeater.net.

Listen first: Before transmitting, spend a little time listening. This helps you understand how the repeater is being used and whether a conversation or net is already in progress.

Timeouts: Repeaters normally have a timeout timer to prevent one station transmitting continuously for too long. If you exceed it, the repeater may stop retransmitting your signal. Keep transmissions reasonably short and allow the repeater to reset between overs.

Leave a gap: Leave a short pause after the other station finishes before transmitting. This gives the repeater timer a chance to reset and leaves a convenient gap for another station to call in.

Calling: You don’t normally call “CQ” on a repeater. A recognised way of putting out a call is:

“This is M7QQQ listening through GB3DA.”

You can also add something such as “for any contacts” if you wish.

If nobody responds after a few calls, give it a rest for a while rather than repeatedly calling. Someone else may want to use the repeater.

Hints – Joining a Net: If a net is in progress, listen for a while before joining so that you understand how that particular net operates. When you’ve joined, wait until you’re called rather than transmitting over somebody else’s turn. If the net is busy, keeping your transmission reasonably brief helps to give everyone a chance to take part. Different nets have slightly different styles, so listening first is usually the best guide.

If you discover that you and the other station can hear each other directly, consider moving to a simplex frequency, particularly if the repeater is busy.

For more on using repeaters, see our Using Amateur Radio Repeaters Guide, or watch this extract from our Foundation Online Training Course:

2m / 70cm Simplex Contacts

The UK FM calling frequency on 2m is 145.500MHz, and on 70cm it is 433.500MHz.

These are calling frequencies, so once you’ve made contact, the normal practice is to move to another suitable simplex frequency so that the calling channel remains available for others.

• Set the radio’s squelch so that weaker signals can still be heard.
• Tune to the calling frequency and listen first to make sure it isn’t already in use.
• Call CQ and give your callsign clearly, preferably using the phonetic alphabet where helpful.
• Pause for a reasonable length of time to allow somebody to reply.
• If nobody responds after a few calls, leave the frequency clear for a while before trying again.
• Once somebody answers, agree to move away from the calling frequency.
• Find a suitable simplex frequency using the current RSGB Band Plan.
• Listen carefully. If it appears clear, ask: “Is the frequency in use? This is {callsign}.”
• If there’s no response, return briefly to the calling channel and tell the other station which frequency to move to.

For examples, see our On-Air QSO Example, including a sample script and training video:

SSB Centres of Activity

For SSB operation, the RSGB Band Plan identifies 144.300MHz on 2m and 432.200MHz on 70cm as SSB Centres of Activity.

These aren’t channels reserved exclusively for calling in the same way as the FM calling channels, so always listen first and follow the current band plan.

Calling CQ on HF

• Check the current RSGB Band Plan to make sure you’re using the appropriate part of the band for your mode.
• Find a clear frequency and listen carefully before transmitting.
• If the frequency appears clear, ask: “Is the frequency in use? This is {callsign}.”
• If there’s no response, call CQ and give your callsign clearly.
• On HF, CQ is normally repeated several times so that stations tuning across the band have time to find you and identify your callsign.
• Using the phonetic alphabet can make your callsign easier to copy, particularly when signals are weak.
• Leave a reasonable pause after your CQ call to allow somebody to answer.
• Once you’ve made contact, you can normally remain on the same frequency provided it is appropriate for that type of operation.

Band Plans

Band plans help different users and modes share the amateur bands sensibly. They identify areas commonly used for voice, Morse, data, repeaters, satellites and other types of operation.

Band plans can change, so it’s better to refer to the current version rather than relying indefinitely on an old printed copy.

View the current RSGB Band Plans

Member Tips

• Label your antenna cables. (Submitted by Mitchell 2E0EMO)
• When fitting a PL-259 connector, make sure all parts are fitted in the correct order before soldering. (Submitted by Mitchell 2E0EMO)

Other Handy Pages

• RSGB Operating Guidelines
• Using Amateur Radio Repeaters
• Essex Ham’s Getting Started Guides

Suggestions?

Have we missed a useful operating tip? Add your suggestion as a comment below and we’ll consider adding it to the guide.