Radio Rambles #1: Calling CQ on 2m and what to say 

Yours is the only video I have watched among so many that teaches on calling on the calling frequency. Thanks for the great video!

Good video with valid points. Over the years of using cb and being in sales, here's a couple other tips and tricks mic shy or new hams may find helpful... Make sure you're not eating your mic or have it too far away when you speak in to it. Other stations won't respond if they can't understand you. If you are unsure what to talk about after making the contact, as Rusty pointed out, thank them for responding, followed by "I'm out here on a walk about (or running errands) and thought I'd call out right quick, back to you". This allows you to end the conversation at your convenience because 'well, I just got to the store, I better run in and get my stuff'. After stating you are out running errands etc, the other station 99% of the time responds with their activities (what they have planned, what they should do, etc) for the day. This is good, because you don't have to talk any more. All you have to do is keep asking them about their day. If its gardening, ask what they plant, if working on a car, ask what kind...Get them talking about themselves, people like that. Ask if they generally monitor a particular frequency or repeater. Be prepared to write down the freqs/repeaters they mention. Follow with 'I wasn't sure if anyone would be monitoring. Are there any freq's or repeaters that are more active than others?'. Get them talking. When you're done, its the 'well, I just got to my destination, I hate to cut this short but I better run inside, it was great talking with you today and I sure appreciate all the info you shared!". This makes some simple conversations that get's your call sign out there. Next time you're out, you can specifically call for the station you recently talked with. Having that history with that station, you can build on your conversation skills and it becomes easier to talk with new stations. You'll also make a new radio friend! Don't be afraid to tell the other station that you recently got your license and are new to radio. Lots of times, the other station will offer some pointers and do's/dont's. By mentioning to the station that you're new to the hobby, all the other stations out there listening will hear that as well, thus when you call out next time they'll be more apt to respond beings they know you're new and trying. Write a list of questions you can use as a template to guide your conversations. You'll be able to keep this list with your radio and use it every time you make a contact. Thank them for responding Their call sign Signal Report What your are currently doing (taking a walk, doing errands, taking a break from yard work) Ask questions based on their response. Ask if they usually monitor a specific frequency, repeater, weekly net (to learn the active frequency's and repeaters) Tell them it was good talking with them and you hope to catch them on the air again sometime. Hope some of this helps. Enjoy your radio, its a lot of fun :)

Thanks for the tips. I'm an experienced pilot and have used the radio extensively. However, as a new ham, I've always found it difficult to start and finish a contact.

I think this will help alot of new Hams get over the stage fright of getting on the mic for the first time. Bravo sir! 73s!

Excellent video. Great advice. I too passed my foundation during lockdown. I have a Kenwood th-d74 and a pi star hotspot for talking all over the world on d star but other than a few calls at the beginning I don’t go on it anymore. I am also very mic shy and can’t think what to say. I never remember people’s callsigns. Please could you make more videos like this. This was so helpful. 73’s. M7TTI.

it's right your first qso doesn't have to be much. if you can add to the qso by offering a shared experience based on the location they're at then I tend to add that to the mix. Also if they're out portable you can learn what their objective is - is this a new place to them, a frequent haunt,. Also what kit they have etc and what made them choose it . food for thought, key thing is though is to call CQ though and build up your confidence. we need more people on the air for sure.

Thanks for the video, I have this same issue. In saying that, I used a commercial radio on and off for 5yrs but a blind CQ call is heaps harder.🍻🤠

Great video, I was a lockdown ham , I passed foundation in 2020, still too nervous to call CQ

I did exactly the same as you. Self taught and passed during lock down then found the practical application uninspiring and unsuccessful. Left the hobby but returned and joined a local club and also sat down and thought what areas am I interested in. Now I have a clearer idea Im looking forward to it all once again. liked and sub'd

I needed the pep talk. Thank you

Hi chap been licensed around 18 months now everyday is a learning opportunity I have make 11:02 an effort each time I am on the air to improve my operating skills, I have been active on 2/70 and HF bands. Keep up the good work, 73 M7CVK

Thank you for your comments. I have had my Technicians license for MANY years and have never initiated a conversation for fear of doing it wrong or not knowing what to do. I hope your pep-talk might get me going in the right direction.

Thanks for the awesome video

Thanks this was great and very helpful

Thank you for doing this. I plan to return to the frequencies after a 35 years hiatus, I still have a license but need new gear and so much happened not least digital radio. I don't expect many of the old contacts to be around. For small talk I think after initial hello's and reports talking about gear one has or wants will be fine. 73's

Thanks for your video, very informative, 73

Thanks for the tips Jez. I've been licenced just over a year, and only been working HF so far. I recently got VHF/UHF 2m/70cm set up to work portable (my QTH badly located to work from home). As I've only been on HF so far, so I need to get used to the calling frequency approach 👍

Thank you so much for this video. I just received my license and I am so nervous about calling CQ. My family can hear me so I feel self conscious, and I'm nervous that I'm going to contact someone that is a jerk. The place that I took my exam online said to email any questions. Well the day after I passed I emailed them a question I had about how the FCC handled payment for the license and when I would be able to use my radio legally and I received 3 emails back, the first 2 were mean and condescending only the last one was helpful.

Great video! I’m studying for my Basics with Honours in Canada and these are things I’m thinking about!

Hi Jez, I passed my RAE back in 1982 as 14 year old but have spent 30+ years living overseas in Asia so let my license lapse. I moved back to the UK las year and have just renewed my license. Thankfully I did not need to redo any of the exams. However what this means is I have forgotten all I once knew about the practical side of things. I bought a Yaesu FT5DE last week and am looking to dip my toe once more. Great video and hope to make connect on the air some time soon Shaun, G1EYW

a great video

I like the comment about bashing the new kid! I have tried getting into this hobby but can't find anyone who states sensible intelligible info. Like how do you know what works in your area before spending cash to find out nobody is using what you can on a Foundation certificate.

Just came across your video and everything you have said mirrors my experience. I now have my full licence and have never called CQ !!!

I passed in covid to was mic shy at the start also. I just listened for a few weeks until I got the guts to make a call and I hit Italy on my yaesu dx10 with only 10watts of course😊 my call sign is M7DLK, hope to hear you on the air sometime also. Also if your mic shy at the start find a net on a Sunday, you only have to give your call sign nothing else, you can find a net on 20 or 40 metres.

Im looking to get into ham radio what radios would you recommend?

ive been a 2meter ham for 3 years, never talked to anyone . never had any friends to help me with tihs....will prob never contact anyone....i dont deserve this im too new and incompetant

1:55 For the American hams scratching their head here, the US 2m FM calling frequency is 146.52

What does 'CQ' actually mean? I know in german its 'allgemeiner Anruf' - so just calling for someone to drop in?

Mmm 2m is like old cb I go hf only 73 m6ltv

its like a playing a video game on Steam....the Map feature is useless....cant figure out where anyone IS.....actual humans omg