UK Amateur Radio
Foundation Licence 2002
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You must have your sound card operational
for the best use of this section. |
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Operating Practices & Procedures Part B
This part of the course will be tutor lead at practical
sessions |
The RST code
The readability and signal strength is use with all modes but the tone is
used mainly with the CW (morse) but could be used if you were helping some
one set up say a RTTY station where they are sending a tone rather than a
voice modulated signal. |
Readability
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R1 Unreadable
R2 Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable
R3 Readable with considerable difficulty
R4 Readable with practically no difficulty
R5 Perfectly readable |
Signal strength
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S1 Faint, signals barely perceptible
S2 Very weak signals
S3 Weak signals
S4 Fair signals
S5 Fairly good signals
S6 Good signals
S7 Moderately strong signals
S8 Strong signals
S9 Extremely strong signals |
Tone
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T1 Extremely rough hissing note
T2 Very rough AC note, no trace of musicality
T3 Rough, low-pitched AC note, slightly musical
T4 Rather rough AC note, moderately musical
T5 Musically modulated note
T6 Modulated note, slight trace of whistle
T7 Near DC note, smooth ripple
T8 Good DC note, just a trace of ripple
T9 Purest DC note |
RST
The abbreviation of the above. If you are working CW then you would send
RST 599 or as appropriate.
If in a voice mode then you would say :-
"Your report is 59" or what ever it is ...... |
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Listen before calling and ask if the frequency is in use.
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Ok so now you know all the operating control that you need
where do you go from here.
You must know that the frequency is clear before transmitting. How do you
know that the frequency is clear of any other transmissions.
You don't, so the only way to find out is the listen for a short while. Even
then it may be that stations that are in contact with each other are some
distance apart and you cannot hear the distant station which is transmitting
but another local station can. If you then just started your CQ call you
would ruin the QSO of the other stations.
So having listened you then call out "Is this frequency busy this is M3ABC
calling". If it is busy then one of the other stations should reply saying
something like - "M3ABC this is G4VSZ the frequency is in use". Don't be
surprised if the station says "the frequency is in use old man". The old
man part is merely a term of endearment and a hang over from the days when
it seemed only old men from shacks in the garden shed enjoyed Amateur Radio!!
You do not respond further but change frequency (QSY) and try again until
find an unoccupied frequency. You can happily call CQ until you get a contact. |
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Making a CQ Call
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Click the link hear a typical "cq call" as on HF |
So what is a CQ call. It is to draw attention to your station
and invite a reply to you. It will go something like this :-
"CQ CQ CQ this is M3ABC mike three alpha bravo charlie calling CQ CQ CQ this
is M3ABC mike three alpha bravo charlie calling CQ and standing bye"
If you are operating on FM then that is a sufficient call as tuning is straight
forward but for SSB where the tuning can take more time a longer CQ call
is recommended to allow the receiving station to refine the tuning to your
signal:-
"CQ CQ CQ this is M3ABC mike three alpha bravo charlie calling CQ CQ CQ this
is M3ABC mike three alpha bravo charlie calling CQ CQ CQ this is M3ABC mike
three alpha bravo charlie calling CQ CQ CQ this is M3ABC mike three alpha
bravo charlie calling CQ and standing by"
Then you wait for say 5 to 10 seconds and if no reply then repeat the CQ
call on the same frequency.
Don't forget to practise this before the practical assessment so that using
word that you have not necessarily used before will become common knowledge.
A great place to try this is in the bathroom .... The echo is fantastic AND
you are on your own ..usually! |
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Let's have a bit of fun
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Before you read on let's try to simulate a qso .... As I don't know what
you are going to say I will have to give you the idea in the text. You read
it out pretending to operate a mic and that you are starting with a CQ call.
We will use the call sign G7BRC. Don't forget the procedure to check the
frequency. Remember we are simulating a QSO so be ready to alter the volume
control as the condition get better and or fade over by over .. |
You say "out loud" what is written below then click the button. |
Buttons |
"Is the frequency clear" |
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QSY and then call "Is the frequency clear" |
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CQ CQ CQ this is G7BRC G7BRC G7BRC calling CQ and standing by. |
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G4VSZ this is G7BRC I read you loud and strong. Your report is 5 by 9 and
20 over. how do you copy me G4VSZ this G7BRC over |
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G4VSZ this is G7BRC nice to speak to you Charles. My name is ......... and
the QTH is also Gillingham. I am working towards my Foundation licence taking
a course at the Bredhurst Club that meets on a thursday. G4VSZ this is G7BRC
over |
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G4VSZ this is G7BRC my name is ........ and I spell it for you (spell your
name using the phonetic alphabet given below).
I am enjoying the course and I hope to work you again soon. Thank you for
the contact and I am listening for your final. G4VSZ this G7BRC over |
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G4VSZ this is G7BRC thank for the contact Charles and I will look for
you on the band sin the near future. Good DX and best '73 G4VSZ this is G7BRC
clear with you but listening the frequency and if not called will closed
the station QRZ QRZ this is G7BRC listening |
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