How to Call CQ on Amateur Radio

Calling CQ on the Ham Bands means you want to talk to any station anywhere that might be listening. If you call CQ, be prepared for anyone to answer. You may get lucky and snag a foreign(DX)station. If you want to work foreign stations(DX) call CQ DX. This lets stateside stations know not to answer your call.

Look for a clear frequency by transmitting by asking "Is this frequency in use". If on CW, use QRL? Wait 30 seconds or so then transmit the same message again. If the frequency is clear, proceed to step 2.

Start your call- CQ CQ CQ Calling CQ. This is (your call sign)calling. Repeat this three times. It should look like this:

"CQ CQ CQ this is "

"CQ CQ CQ this is "

"CQ CQ CQ this is "

Now wait 30 to 60 seconds. If no one answers, start again.

If a station comes back to you but you are not sure of the his or her call sign, do not use the cw prosign of QRZ? That means "Is there a station calling me?" Rather, use standard English of "Please again with your call sign" If necessary, use the standard military phonetic alphabet of give your call sign. For example, a call sign of W8XXX would be "whiskey 8 x-ray, x-ray, x-ray over" Do not use fancy or unfamiliar phonetics that may not be understood by the calling station.

Tips

• There are many ways to call CQ, find the way that works best for you.
• This primarily applies to Morse Code (Continuous Wave (CW)) transmissions. Additionally the procedural sign DE would be used in place of "This is", if morse code is being used.
• Try using the standard calling frequencies on whatever band you are transmitting on. This applies to 160 meters, with an international DX window. On most other bands of 20 meters and up, there is no set calling frequency. On 20 meters, there is a maritime frequency of 14.300 that should not used for conversations unless you are a maritime (ocean-going) mobile--a ship at sea.
• Many repeaters (2m, 70cm) you do not have to call CQ. You can just say " listening!"

Warnings

• Be sure to state your call sign every 10 minutes and at the end of your transmission.
• It may help to use the term "over" at the end of your transmission so that the other station knows its his or her turn to transmit.