Operating Procedures
Best practices for making contacts and using amateur radio effectively
Making Your First Contact
Here's a basic procedure for making your first contact on a repeater:
- Listen to the repeater for several minutes to get a feel for activity and timing
- Wait for a clear pause in conversation (called a "kerchunk")
- Transmit: "Listen on the [repeater frequency], this is [your callsign]"
- Release the push-to-talk button and listen for responses
- When someone answers, have a brief, friendly conversation
- Exchange signal reports using the RST system (Readability, Strength, Tone)
- Exchange names and locations
- End the contact politely: "Thank you, this is [your callsign]"
Operating Modes
FM (Frequency Modulation)
Most common mode on VHF/UHF. Clear audio, used for repeaters and local contacts.
Learn More →SSB (Single Sideband)
Popular HF mode for long-distance communication. Used for voice and weak-signal work.
Learn More →CW (Morse Code)
Morse code transmission. Very efficient and good for weak signal work. Optional to learn.
Learn More →Digital Modes
Including RTTY, PSK31, FT8, D-Star, DMR, and others. Growing area of amateur radio.
Learn More →Operating Etiquette
| Best Practice | Reason | What NOT to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Keep transmissions brief | Allows others to break in if needed | Long-winded transmissions |
| Listen before transmitting | Avoids interference with ongoing contacts | Causing "splatter" or stepping on others |
| Use plain language | Clear communication for everyone | Confusing slang or unclear speech |
| Adjust microphone gain | Clear audio without distortion | Overdriven audio causing distortion |
| Keep off frequencies in use | Respect other users and modes | Randomly transmitting on busy frequencies |
| Slow down for clarity | Ensures everyone understands | Speaking too quickly or unclearly |
Signal Reporting (RST)
Use the RST system to give accurate signal reports:
R = Readability (1-5)
- 1 = Unreadable
- 2 = Barely readable
- 3 = Readable with difficulty
- 4 = Readable with no difficulty
- 5 = Perfect readability
S = Strength (1-9)
- 1 = Barely perceptible
- 3 = Weak
- 5 = Fair
- 7 = Good
- 9 = Extremely strong
T = Tone (1-9, CW only)
- 1 = Sixty cycle AC and hum
- 3 = Very rough AC tone
- 5 = Rough tone, unstable
- 7 = Near perfect tone
- 9 = Perfect tone
Example: "Your signal is 5/9" means perfect readability and extremely strong signal.
Learning Resources
First Contact Training
How to make your first radio contact
Amateur Radio Operating Tips
Practical tips for better operating
CW Operating Guide
Introduction to Morse code operation
Common Q-Codes
Standard abbreviations used in amateur radio:
| Code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| QSO | Contact/conversation | "Let's have a QSO" |
| QTH | Location | "My QTH is Colorado Springs" |
| QRG | Frequency | "What is the QRG?" |
| QSY | Change frequency | "Let's QSY to 7.200" |
| QRZ | Who is calling? | "QRZ?" after a contact |
| QRX | Stand by | "QRX, I'll be right back" |