G2C04 and G2C10 were both completely changed in this section.
Just like phone operation, you can establish contact with another station using CW by either calling CQ and waiting for others to call you or by listening for other stations calling CQ and answering them. If you decide to call CQ, you should send “QRL?” before transmitting. The Q-signal “QRL” means “Are you busy?”, or “Is this frequency in use?” (G2C04)
If you decide to answer a CQ, try to send at the same speed as the station calling CQ. The best speed to use answering a CQ in Morse Code is the speed at which the CQ was sent. (G2C05) Accordingly, if someone answers your CQ at a slower speed at which you sent it, slow down to match the speed of the station calling you.
When answering a CQ, you should set the frequency of your transceiver so that it matches the frequency of the sending station. We call this process “zero beating.” The term “zero beat” in CW operation means matching your transmit frequency to the frequency of a received signal. (G2C06)
After establishing contact, it’s customary to send the other station a signal report. This report consists of three numbers that correspond to the readability, strength, and tone of the signal. Hams sometimes call this the RST report. When sending CW, a “C” added to the RST report means a chirpy or unstable signal. (G2C07)
When operating CW, it’s a good idea to use Q signals to shorten the number of characters that you must send and which the receiving station needs to receive. Q signals are three letter combinations that begin with the letter “Q.”
There are many different Q signals, but you only need to know four of them to pass the test. The Q signal “QSL” means “I acknowledge receipt.” (G2C09) The Q signal “QRN” means “I am troubled by static.” (G2C10) The Q signal “QRV” means “I am ready to receive messages.” (G2C11)If a CW station sends “QRS”, send slower. (G2C02)
CW operators also use what are called prosigns. AR is the prosign sent to indicate the end of a formal message when using CW. (G2C08) When a CW operator sends “KN” at the end of a transmission, it means the operator is listening only for a specific station or stations. (G2C03)
When operating CW, some hams simply mute their receivers during a transmission. The problem with this approach is that the other operator cannot break in to make a comment. Another problem is that you can’t hear if another station is interfering with your transmission. To get around these problems, hams use “break-in mode.” When using full break-in telegraphy (QSK), transmitting stations can receive between code characters and elements. (G2C01)
Leave a Reply