The conventional wisdom in amateur radio is that we should not call CQ when using FM on the VHF and UHF bands, especially on repeaters. The reasoning for this is that during normal VHF/UHF FM operating, radio amateurs are tuned to a specific frequency and will easily hear a call on FM.
Compare this to the HF bands, where the other ham is generally tuning around to find someone to contact and stumbles onto your transmission. In that case, you want to make a long call (CQ CQ CQ Hello CQ This is Kilo Zero November Romeo calling CQ CQ CQ…) so people tuning the band will find you and tune you in. On VHF/UHF FM, the assumption is that the other hams have their radio set on the repeater or simplex channel being used and will immediately hear you. FM communications are often quite clear and noise free, which also helps. The normal calling method is to just say your callsign, perhaps accompanied with another word like “monitoring” or “listening.” For example, I might say “KØNR monitoring.”
Question T2A09 in Technician exam pool reinforces this idea:
T2A09 (B)
What brief statement indicates that you are listening on a repeater and looking for a contact?
A. The words “Hello test” followed by your call sign
B. Your call sign
C. The repeater call sign followed by your call sign
D. The letters “QSY” followed by your call sign
Gary/KN4AQ wrote this tongue-in-cheek article HamRadioNow: Do NOT Call CQ on Repeaters which says that calling CQ on a quiet repeater works well because it is likely that someone will come on and tell you not to call CQ. Gary wrote:
So I trot out my standard advice: make some noise. I even recommend calling CQ, because that’s almost guaranteed to get someone to respond, if only to tell you that you’re not supposed to call CQ on repeaters.
There is also an interesting thread on the topic on reddit: 2 meter calling frequency.
Scanning and Multitasking
Some important things have changed in our use of VHF/UHF FM over past decades. The most important shift is dispersion of activity: while the number of VHF/UHF channels has increased, the total amount of VHF/UHF radio activity has declined. This means that we have tons of channels available that are mostly quiet. Tune the bands above 50 MHz and you’ll hear a lot of dead air. In response to this, some hams routinely scan multiple repeater and simplex frequencies. While getting ready for Summits On The Air (SOTA) activity, I’ve had hams ask me to make a long call on 146.52 MHz so they can be sure to pick me up on scan.
Another factor that comes into play is the multitasking nature of our society. Hams don’t generally sit in front of a 2m radio waiting for activity to occur. More commonly, they are doing something else and listening to the FM rig in the background. VHF FM is the Utility Mode, always available but not necessarily the top priority. A short call (“KØNR listening”) on the frequency can easily be missed.
Recommendations
My conclusion is that the Old School “KØNR Monitoring” style of making a call on VHF is no longer sufficient. First off, it sends the message of “I am here if you want to talk to me.” If that’s your intent, fine. However, if you really want to make a contact, being more explicit and a bit assertive usually helps. Follow Gary’s advice and make some noise.
For example, during a SOTA activation I’ll usually call on 146.52 MHz with a bit of a sales pitch. Something like: “CQ CQ 2 meters, this is Kilo Zero November Romeo on Pikes Peak, Summits On The Air, anyone around?” This is way more effective than “KØNR Monitoring.” I might also include the frequency that I am calling on, to help out those Scanning Hams. Something like “CQ CQ 146.52, this is KØNR on Pikes Peak, Summits On The Air.” Note that these calls are still pretty much short and to the point, only taking about 15 seconds. This is a lot shorter than the typical HF CQ.
If I am driving through another town and want to make contact on the local repeater, I will adjust my approach accordingly. For example, on a relatively quiet repeater, I might say “CQ, anyone around this morning? KØNR mobile I-25 Denver.” Or if I have a specific need, I’ll go ahead and ask for it. “This is KØNR looking for a signal report.”
Keep in mind that VHF/UHF operating tends to be local in nature, so it makes sense to adapt your approach to both local practice and the specific situation.
- It’s OK to call CQ on VHF FM, make some noise on the frequency.
- Give other operators a reason to contact you.
- Don’t make your CQ too long, maybe 15 to 20 seconds.
- The callsign/listening approach is fine too.
Those are my thoughts. What do you think?
73 Bob K0NR
Bob, I’m with you. For those using scanning or with the AF gain mostly cranked down, simply jumping on and saying, “N4KC,” as the license quiz suggests, is not adequate. I’m all in favor of saying something that takes a bit longer–for the scanning guys–and might just convince somebody to pick up the mic and respond.
I most often operate 2-meter FM while walking for exercise and I typically say something cute, like: “This is N4KC, pedestrian mobile, modulating the frequency of my little Chinese HT. Anybody out there to make it a conversation?” Seems to get people inspired to talk with the out-of-breath smart aleck!
73,
Don N4KC
http://www.n4kc.com
http://www.donkeith.com
I’m on board too – as a newer ham I always felt it was odd not to make a longer call on FM – especially on simplex – just because of the activity level, and reasons you mentioned. Thanks for the fun read!
Couldn’t agree more! Before SOTA I was on a mountain top with a new ham helping him make his first SSB HF (17m) contact. He was little mic shy …I listened to him CQing timidly into his mic on his new FT817 (5w) …silence! We’d checked the band earlier and heard several NA stations plus a little DX! So we knew the band was open. After several more tries he looks at me like “What now?” I respond with “Continue Making Noise?” … “Persevere!” Coached him on speaking up and articulating his call clearly with a smile! Maybe even include a plea like “I’m a QRP/p station …on mountain top in CO …looking for a SHORT QSO or Signal Report from anyone anywhere, This is Alpha Echo …” about 15-minutes later Europe answered his CQ! The smile on my friend’s face was priceless! “How you can catch fish if your line is not wet!” – preached my former fly fishing mentor!
I like to say “Try to sound like you are having fun”
Who calls CQ on 2 meters except maybe 2 meter SSB. The reason why a simple monitoring does not work is that our repeaters are not being used as they were 20 or 30 years ago.
The reason why you would hear a CQ on 2 meters now is due to someone wanting to use their new HT without listening to how the QSOs on 2 meters are conducted.
I used to love to call my callsign monitoring on 146.52 simplex as I commuted into the Silicon Valley and carry on a great QSO all the way to work after we did a QSY to another frequency. Those days are over I am sad to say.
You hit the nail on the head. I’ve been a ham for decades and agree completely. I used to do exactly what you mentioned until I got a few replies that “a simple ‘monitoring’ will do” and “keep it short, your taking up valuable repeater time”, and so on. Now I’m rarely on 2 or 70.
But hopefully thing will change.
Amateur Radio is NOT Law Enforcement Radio where it’s vital to be short and to the point. We should feel free to try and make a contact however we feel, however we should accept someone in need of the frequency and defer to them.
We don’t own the frequencies, we just borrow them to use and enjoy, yet keeping in mind how vital they are when the situation warrants.
Good advice – nothing wrong with a bit longer transmission.
I scan a whole raft of simplex and repeater 2m/70cm frequencies. That’s how I hear the SOTA hams on simplex and the regulars on the repeaters. The call needs not be specifically “CQ”, but it does need to be a bit longer than just the call sign. If you don’t use the phrase “CQ”, you’ll usually avoid waking the troll under the repeater 🙂
So I’ll give a bit more of a call like you suggested: “K0MGL on I-25 headed to Denver, listening”. And, I’ll key up and wait a second or two before talking. Some repeaters need that extra time to “wake up” if they’ve been idle. The one on top of Pikes Peak comes to mind. And a carrier will stop a scanner just as well as modulated signal.
Right on, Bob, we need to take our time. No need to rush your call…take a breath, say hello, speak clearly and International phonetic are ALWAYS appreciated by these ears.
That reminds me, I’ve been thinking of another blog post: Go Ahead and Use Phonetics on FM.
I’ve seen statements that FM is always so clear that you should not use phonetics, which is incorrect.
Of course there’s nothing wrong with calling CQ on the two meter band, but I’m old school. wf2z, whisky foxtrot two zulu listening the repeater. Same for a simplex frequency. Now on 144.200, CQ CQ CQ, wf2z etc and a grid square. Maybe twice. It’s all good fun. Especially when someone responds. 73, wf2z
It’s very rare to hear anyone calling CQ on 2m FM here in my area of the North West UK.
Only time is if there is a SOTA station on the air.
Best wishes to all.
G7 UZA
Calling CQ on a repeater reminds me of the joke about carrying martini ingredients whenever hiking. That way, if you get lost you simply start mixing and someone is sure to step out of the brush and remind you “Now, not too much vermouth!” Then you ask for a ride home.
So by all means, call CQ on repeaters. It’ll bring out the lurkers to correct you, and then you have your contact.
I monitor the winsystem regularly and when someone calls cq on there they are swiftly reminded that you dont need to do that
We call that the The KN4AQ Method for making a QSO.
Here in Germany it’s quite normal to call CQ once then your call. During a short trip to the states a couple of years ago I was “corrected” about using CQ. But I agree with the others, some repeaters are just too quiet and need to have the cage rattled.
Interesting info. Thanks!