Familiarise yourself with the Rules

Learn Basic operating practices

Read the latest BR68. This has all the official rules and regulations.

Etiquette however is not covered and this will be covered here

While not the law learning operating practices is advised before going on air

Learn Q Codes

Repeater Operation

                 Phonetic Alphabet

                       Q Codes

This is used by Ham radio operators, the military and airport to name just a few. D can sound like B or E etc so the following code is used

• A - alpha

• B - bravo

• C - charlie

• D - delta

• E - echo

• F - foxtrot

• G - golf

• H - hotel

• I - india

• J - juliet

• K - kilo

• L - lima

• M - mike

• N - november

• O - oscar

• P - papa

• Q - quebec

• R - romeo

• S - sierra

• T - tango

• U - uniform

• V - victor

• W - whisky

• X - x-ray

• Y - yankee

• Z - zulu

Used in both voice and Morse Code, Q codes help speed up communication

QRL Are you busy? I am busy (or busy with....)

QRM Are you being interfered with? I am being interfered with.

QRN  Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static.

QRO  Must I increase power? Increase power.

QRP  Must I decrease power? Decrease power.

QRQ  Must I send faster? Send faster ... (words per min.).

QRS  Must I send more slowly? Transmit more slowly ... (w.p.m.).

QRT  Must I stop transmission? Stop transmission. (ie I am going QRT)

QRZ  Who is calling me?

QSB  Does the strength of my signals vary? The strength of your signals varies.

QSL  Can you acknowledge receipt? I am acknowledging receipt.

QSO  Conversation (ie nice to QSO with you)

QSY  Change frequency. Question or statement

QTH What is your position (location)? My position (location) is ....

                                                               Repeater Operation

Repeaters are designed primarily for mobile users and handheld users who have limited coverage on there own. Traffic can be very high at times and priority should be given to mobile users.

To access a repeater first check the repeater guide for frequency offset, CTCSS tone etc. Then key up and Identify. Keep in ,mind some repeaters are internet linked and there may be people accessing it via computer. Quick keying is one the the Seven Deadly sins of ham radio. DON'T do it. Wait for to pip then transmit