Amateur Radio Etiquette

Engaging in amateur radio, or “ham radio,” offers a unique opportunity to connect with a global community. Proper operating etiquette ensures effective and respectful communication. This guide outlines the dos and don’ts for making your first contact and maintaining good practices on the airwaves.​

1. Listen Before Transmitting

• Do: Spend time monitoring the frequency to ensure it’s clear before initiating a transmission. This helps avoid interrupting ongoing communications.
• Don’t: Interrupt ongoing conversations or “pile-ups” without waiting for a clear opportunity to transmit.

2. Identify Yourself Correctly

• Do: Use your call sign at the beginning and end of transmissions, and at regular intervals during extended conversations, typically every ten minutes.
• Don’t: Omit your call sign or use unassigned identifiers, as this violates regulatory requirements.

3. Use Clear and Standard Communication

• Do: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Use the phonetic alphabet when clarity is needed, especially for call signs.
• Don’t: Use slang, jargon, or non-standard codes that might confuse others.​

4. Making Your First Contact

• Do: Begin by listening to others to understand common practices. When ready, initiate a call by stating “CQ” followed by your call sign, or respond to another station’s CQ call.
• Don’t: Be discouraged by initial nervousness; confidence builds with experience.​

5. Respect Band Plans and Allocations

• Do: Operate within the frequency allocations and modes permitted by your license class.​
• Don’t: Transmit on frequencies or use modes not authorized for your license level.​

6. Maintain Courtesy and Respect

• Do: Be polite, patient, and respectful in all communications. Remember, amateur radio is a shared resource. ​
• Don’t: Engage in arguments, use offensive language, or monopolize a frequency.​

7. Log Your Contacts

• Do: Keep a log of your communications, noting details like date, time, frequency, and correspondent’s call sign. This is useful for personal records and certain operating awards.​
• Don’t: Rely solely on memory for contact details; accurate logs are valuable.

8. Seek Feedback and Continue Learning

• Do: Ask for signal reports and feedback to improve your operating skills and station setup.
• Don’t: Assume your transmissions are perfect; there’s always room for improvement.​

By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll contribute to a respectful and enjoyable amateur radio environment. Remember, the essence of ham radio lies in continuous learning and fostering goodwill among operators worldwide.

For a visual demonstration on making your first contact, consider watching the following video: