Unwritten Rules of Ham Radio 

Hams never find a lack of reasons why other hams are hamming wrong.

Good topic, good channel :) A few points I'd like to add. ZED is used because ZEE is too easy to confuse with b,c,d,e,g etc. I would still encourage hams to use the phonetic alphabet anytime they're on the radio. Gets you familiar with it and it was designed for clarity. It does help. Especially if you have any hint of an accent which you probably do to someone out there. My first call had an "F" in it and it was constantly misheard, even on 2m, as "S" You may hear a rare(ish) station ragchewing on HF. No matter how much you want to contact them, wait. Do Not start barging in on the conversation. They don't owe you a contact. You forgot one of my favourites, The ham who is on HF calling CQ "CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ, XYZ123" and waits 2 seconds and repeats. Please don't do this.

The reason it is called "LID" is back in the day the new operators would build a receiver that would tap on a coffee can lid to receive Morse code. They still had more then the basic hams of today.

Hell I have my extra class license but am so busy with school that I forget lots of the small things. Best of luck with your ham radio hobby and thanks for the great video.

Great suggestions along with a great delivery. Thanks. We have a bunch of new hams and I will show this video at our Jan. club meeting. Thanks again.

The most common method to break in and join a QSO on a repeater is to key up between the other station's transmissions and simply say your callsign.

Ive called CQ on the 2m simplex frequencies for 44 years as have most of the old guys in my area but never on a repeater frequency.

Great for new guys like me. You are right, some of this was not fully communicated in training well enough I think. I am guilty of kerchunking cause of suffering "mic fright". 🤷‍♂️ Thanks Craig,....my name is Don and I'm a LID!😆🙋‍♂️73

when checking in to a net on vhf it is generally preferred to use phonetic alphabet to aid the net control station, this helps in 2 ways. one is to clarify your call and second is to give the NCS time to write it down. and usually goes like this, this is wx2y , whiskey Xray 2 Yankee, also use of phonetics is standard practice when one makes contact with a new station on any ham band.

I always use phonetics on VHF UHF FM, especially when I'm the NCS running our club net and checking in late or missed, and visitor stations. And phonetics are required for DEM RACES Nets.

If it is not listed on FCC rules and regs, it is gentleman's agreement passed down through decades of operators and needs to be respected by incoming CB operators

Thanks for the ham etiquette.

My Elmer taught me to also tune HF in a different mode and lower power, for instance, if I am tuning I switch from USB or LSB to AM and reduce poser to 15 watts. Tune the radio to the antenna and then switch back to USB or LSB. Power should be back at original setting, if not bump up to the power level you need to transmit and make the contact.

Great video... you have described my issues exactly... and solved my issues. Thank you! Out of Canada 73.😀👍

"Q signal", "R-S-T system" and "S meter" are three separate methods of signal reporting. For example, S-7 (S meter) does not necessarily equate to 5-7 (RST system). S meters are indicating a physical relative signal at the receiver antenna terminals. RST reports are based upon what you are hearing. Wikipedia is misleading on the relationship between S meters and RST. Telling someone they are "5-9 plus _" is nonsensical. Best of best regardses Craig ...a fun video! 😊

Mr. Jones - Counting Crows

Good stuff here for a brand new tech, namely me. Guitar player also :) Thank you, learned a lot here.

Thanks for the video. You covered a big subject and there are a lot of Hams out there who want to do things their way. I don't want to come across as being dramatic but particularly on HF, you are representing your country. When you give your callsign, the world is listening. 73 Will VK5WB

Thanks, this vid was very helpful.

When I was in college a LID was a good thing.

Good video on the practice of ham radio. I am recently licensed Tech & General in 2020. I am slowly building up my hardware for both home (QTH) and mobile. I like the treat others as you want to be treated. Al the best. 73 de KI5HXM

Highly recommend Don Keith's N4KC book Riding the Shortwaves. that covers a bunch of "now what" info that is perfect for new ham's.

I find many ops say their call so darn fast on VHF you can't get the call. That's ok for when they're talking to their buddies, and know how they sound etc., but otherwise it can be really different to hear the 'speed mumble' callsign.

Great video. I could have used this when I was a noob. Thanks for mentioning tuning up on a frequency. It's one of my pet peeves and results in an instant "LID" comment under my breath. Others have already mentioned the use of phonetic alphabet on VHF/UHF. Some nets will actually require phonetic check-ins. It's best to listen for a while and see what other hams in your area are doing. If you are on a net like an ARES net, for example, follow their rules on check-in procedures. Usually they will ask for a full phonetic callsign only once at check-in. Excellent video. Keep up the great content. 73

All good advice. ❤

this is good stuff. Thank u

There are no "radio checks" in amateur radio, they are however available and abundant on CB channel 19 and any of the various GMRS repeaters.

Maybe I missed it, did you mention the dreaded Roger beep? It seems to be the most hated sound on the VHF/UHF bands.

Being a LID is knowing better and still doing it.

best bumper music ever! what is a lid? lol

Funny, I just now discovered the channel, so much content to catch up with. I was told to never use the term “monitoring” at any time. Is it appropriate to give someone a 5 9 signal report on a repeater?

I'm on my second license and I'm still a lid. Only my club told me about some of the best practices. I am willing to listen so I can become a better operater. 2 and 70 cm. To date, I have never argued with anyone. The repeater does cut me off when I'm gving my call sign.

@11:24 What is the gizmo that says "ALDER"?

I’ve never heard of ”don’t use the phonetic alphabet on VHF” before. Is that really a thing? I always use phonetic the first time or when the signal is not clear, as it was developed to improve clarity of comms.

If you are curious about what NOT to do, listen in on 7.200 or 3.927. They will gladly demonstrate how to be a complete pain in the rear.

Phonetics are really useful for the whole B, D, E, V confusion

good vid, you got a subscriber. 73s good buddy.

OMG I had no idea about the tuning sound

I can remember back years ago when I was young back in the 1960’s that Hams loved to fire up a ham radio and talk to other hams either locally or around the world about things such as what equipment they had either bought or personally built etc.. Yes, they also did contests pertaining to seeing how many contacts they could reach around the world sort of like what CBers would call “Shooting Skip” as well. But, from What I’ve seen and heard by many of the hams here on youtube that’s no longer the case. It has now turned into a world of nothing more than “Round the World” Contest’s and they frown upon other hams if all they just want to do is use their ham radio’s for nothing more than talking to other hams either locally or around the world about things such as what equipment they had either bought or personally built etc.. From their own mouths, Quote, “You have to keep it short and sweet” unquote. They conveniently imply without saying so that anything else is not acceptable. Evidently it’s become nothing more than keep it short and sweet with only a 30 to 60 second “Shoot Skip” style of contact to as many contacts as they can or else it is in violation of FCC Ham Radio rules and regulations as well as ham radio etiquette because it interferes with and interrupts other ham radio operators doing their contests. To me it’s sad that the World of Ham Radio has become that way. With that in mind it’s no wonder why they have trouble getting more people into ham radio as it is no longer fun.

New tech question. I know the FCC wants hams to communicate in English, but if you’re in range of a repeater in Mexico for example, what language should you use?

I am new to Ham Radio. Is it possible to use digital aids to help interpret and communicate in CW?

I can call cq wherever I want including 2m fm.

If you want to call CQ on 2mts go ahead. If I hear a station doing it I will still reply to them the same as any other calls I hear. The only thing you need to worry about is, keep within your license privileges. K.I.S.S. A little common sense and listening will get you through the rest. Don’t make a very simple thing like talking on your radio so complexed. Enjoy the ride, you ain’t never going to kill anyone by playing radio. 73

I think it's funny when people on brandmeister worldwide TG tell me that I'm coming in 5-9.

Thanks ,Craig. I’m a new ham and this is very helpful to me. 73. KQ4RUG.

I may have been guilty of accidentally hitting the siren button on my Baofeng while tuned to a repeater. I don't have my license yet and was just listening. I panicked and just quickly turned off the radio and kept it off for a while. On a related note, there is an option in the menu to have that panic noise just played through the speaker and not transmitted, which i quickly did when I got home.

I had a lot of intrest in amatuer radio during high school, my science teacher was a huge radio guy, unfortunately I kind of lost intrest after high school, but Im starting to get intrested in it again and thinking about getting an amatuer radio liscense now. These tips will help a lot if I do

We say Q R ZED because saying "Zee (Z) can sound like "See (C)"

The one urinal rule!!! 😂😂😂

Just about everyone of these (except kerchunking the repeater) I've heard people explicitly advise the opposite of you, LoL

I thought a Lid was 1/4 lb of doobage. Oh well..... Smoke em' if You Got em' 🙃🙃🙃🤪🙃😉🙃

I don't understand why I shouldn't call CQ on 2m/70cm? How else are you meant to announce that you're trying to make a contact on simplex frequencies? (I know people are funny about saying CQ on a repeater, but saying "Listening" means exactly the same IMO). (Edit: Referring to the image that was up on the screen)

0:30 Mr. Jones - Counting Crows. Wow! A lot of good info here. I had been on the fence about getting a ham license for a while. However, I really didn't fully know what it is that ham radio operators do. Most videos I have seen, it seems as if a ham radio operator makes a contact, and the two parties identify each other, and discuss location and maybe a few words about gear and / or the weather in their area and then they move on. Conversations seem to be very short and very monotonous. There is very little small talk or what ham operators refer to as "rag chewing". While that might be fine or even fun for those wanting to ONLY make DX contacts, it has me wondering if you want to have a lengthy conversation with someone. I have even heard that repeaters can time you out! So, that being said, I been getting the gist that "rag chewing" is frowned upon. I am wondering now, if I might be better off going the route of CB radio as the investment is far less and you don't need a license. Rag chewing is a big thing there...or at least as far as I remember. I remember that CB was very big in the 70's and a good part of the 80's. I have heard that truckers still use CB today, but not to the extent as it used to be. The problem with CB is the limited power and range, even though I have heard of instances of where it is possible to "skip" transmissions off the atmosphere and long distance communication is possible. But, while it is cheaper, I am not sure if I should make the investment into CB gear, only to find that no one in my area is using CB radio. Whereas, I know the field of Ham radio is alive and well and can definitely do DX work. So even though your video has shed some more light on what it is that ham operators do and the unwritten rules they follow, I am still very much on the fence about getting into ham radio. I been thinking about getting a receiver only radio and perhaps just listen to what is going on, at least that isn't as big of an investment as a transceiver. I don't know. I guess I just still need more information.

You are still a lid!

That was Mr. Jones wasn't it?

Here's the best way to chase me away from a QSO/rag chew. Part 97 requires that a station/operator identify "their station call sign" to begin, every 10 minutes thereafter and to end a QSO. When I respond to an operator's CQ and realize that they are in the habit of identifying both my call sign and their call sign at the end of "every" transmission, I may try to hang in for a few exchanges depending on my level of interest. But in general, one of my next transmissions will usually be, "hey, something just came up...gotta' run, 73." To make that even more annoying (IMO), many do that using phonetics. We already stated and acknowledged each other's call sign at the beginning of the qso...there's no need to keep sounding it out as if I don't know who you are (or who I am). We're not trying to land a 777...can't we just have a pleasant talk, exchange some knowledge, express some humor? Having said all of that, I usually do check out of a QSO by stating the other station's call sign followed by mine...without phonetics! If, at that point, the other station still did not copy my call sign, they are welcome to ask...no problem. Everyone goes in the log and I sometimes forget too! Cheers and 73!

Don't use phonetics on VHF? Say what? You use phonetics any time clarity is needed, regardless of what band or voice mode you're using.

It's not required to have music. LID is a CBr

Signal check not radio check!

Great video. I had a few experiences with lids in my short time as a HAM. One time I was on 15m in early 2022 calling CQ. Made a few contacts that day and had some nice 10 to 15 min QSO'S. One station from Hawaii came back to me. Just after we finished our QSO, some station called the gentleman from Hawaii, completely ignored me. Didn't put his call and waited to be recognized. Nope, just called the station in Hawaii so he can work them on SSB. Needles to say, I got heated over it. I'm perfectly fine with people wanting to join in on a qso, but put out a callsign and wait to be recognized, we'll get a round table going. Don't call a station when there's a qso going on, even if one hasn't worked whatever country, state or county. Just wait until someone has recognized you. Don't just start calling stations when the frequency is in use. 73, W4ISB Mike in Tennessee

7:36 - It's Zed not Zee, because that's how the letter is supposed to be pronounced in English (aka British English)! 😜 "zed is technically the correct version in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand, and zee is technically correct in the United States"

So how are you supposed to tune in a signal if you go yo a different frequency to tune what am i missing here Yeah im not even a lid yet

What am I missing? I was taught "Z" is Zulu.

Rule #1. Don't be a dick

Use the NATO phonetics. Hams out there picking random words out of thin air to use for phonetics is confusing and annoying. That's why it's standardized. Is this really because people can't remember Alpha, Delta, Charlie etc.....

Found a video of the baofeng siren. Yeah, its annoying as hell.

im done with weather reports . Im done with people being too scared to talk about life changing events . its gutless . . taking antennas down asap and get involved with people and hobbies that create strength not poor health and weak minds . seven threes all . enjoy ya 5 n9 60 degrees windy and 70 % humidity for the next 20 years i got a life to live .

Hit the PTT and wait at least 2 seconds before transmitting. MOST guys are scanning multiple repeaters and simplex frequencies. Your transmission might be so quick that nobody even pick up your transmission. It's over before the radios scan sequence reach your frequency. 73/88

The other thing is NEVER talk about religion or politics on Amateur radio.

'7 3' is inappropriate to say. The expression is '73'. No 'seven-thirds'. No seventy threes'. No '7's and 3's'. No '7 3'. Just say 'seventy three'.

Use the Phonetic Alphabet when checking a net on ALL frequency's, (HF, VHF and UHF). It is to respect the net controller. Some may have over 200 hams checking the net all with different accents and please DON'T use the US crap like Adam, use the real version Alpha.

Zed is a word not a letter or a proper phonetic in the US. Free America please say QRZ. Rest of the stuff sounds pretty good

It would be great if the ARRL took the lead on educating new hams on ethics and courtesy on the air. 20M SSB is a terrible place to be on, imho. A lot of rude and crazy boomers who run way too much power and talk way too much about nothing. Thinking of others, keeping it brief, and LISTEN are key touchpoints. Good video.

delay = "0.5" #number of seconds to pause after displaying each line while IFS= read -r line; do echo $line sleep $delay done

Kerchunking a repeater is also illegal, transmitting without Identifying yourself.

Right between the "no music" rule and the "no broadcasting" rule (that you mentioned), is the rule that's most often violated. That one you skipped, is the rule that says not to use the ham frequencies for "communications on a regular basis". It says to use other available radio services, instead (CB radio, cell phone, GMRS). All of these rules fall under "FCC 97.113 Prohibited Transmissions". Remember, the FCC requires a test, because they want assurance that they are only going to issue a license to those who will respect (and follow), all of their rules. If any of the FCC rules weren't important, they wouldn't have created, and published them. All repeater communities are expected to follow the same set of rules (those published by the FCC). These rules aren't up for interpretation; they're very clear. The constant talking over the Amateur Radio Service bands by licensees, as if they were using a CB radio, shows disrespect for their license, and the license of Hams who choose not to violate the FCC rules. If the rules aren't important, there's no point in taking a test and getting an Amateur Radio Service license, just start transmitting on ham frequencies (like a CB radio operator); you don't need a license to break the rules.

Ham Karen. Zzzzzz

Please use the NATO Alphabet. Italy, sugar, kilowatt, sansibar or radio are NOT part of this alphabet. Each time i hear this substitutions my blood preasure is increasing. 😫

i use 10.4 on 20m . who cares? hf is hf put ya top hat away

Good information thank you 👍 73

Thanks!! I wish someone had done this discussion when I got my license a few years back!! 73 de N9RANdy

Like the video FROM Nova Scotia, Canada, Stephen VA1SIW (Glenmont N.S. VE1AEH-R #144.180, NODE 309062.) 73