Operating practices and procedures, repeaters and satellites

Telephony

Whereas a poor or inconsiderate CW operator is a nuisance only to his fellow amateurs, bad telephony operation discredits amateur radio generally. Our hobby can be too easily judged by the quality of our telephony transmissions, the subjects discussed and the procedures used.

The major portion of amateur radio traffic is now carried out using telephony. Though this mode does not require the knowledge of codes and abbreviations, correct operation is more difficult than it may appear at first sight, as is only too apparent after listening on any amateur band.

Part of the problem is that many operators will have acquired some bad habits in their pronunciation, intonation and phraseology even before entering amateur radio. To these are then added a whole new set of clichés and mannerisms derived from listening to bad operators. Some of these can be extremely difficult to remove once learnt, even if a conscious effort is made.

Conversation

It is important to speak clearly and no too quickly, not just when talking to someone who does not fully understand the language, but at all times.

The use of CW abbreviations (including 'HI') and the Q code should normally be avoided. The Q-code should only be used on telephony when there is a language difficulty.

Plain language should be used, and clichés and jargon should be kept to a minimum. In particular, avoid the use of "we" when "I" is meant and "handle" when "name" is meant. Other silly habits include saying "that's a roger" instead of "that's correct", and "affirmative" instead of "yes". The reader will no doubt have heard many more. Taken individually each is almost harmless, but when combined together give a false-sounding 'radioese' which is actually less effective than plain language in most cases.

The phonetic alphabet listed in the amateur licence is in Table 11.7, and should be used only when necessary to clarify a callsign, or the spelling of a word or in bad reception conditions. Never change the alphabet in mid-stream, ie do not say "Alpha Papa Juliet", followed by "America, Pacific, Japan" because this can be confusing. Similarly "Alpha Alpha Papa Papa Juliet Juliet" does not really help.

Do remember, if callsigns, name and location were spoken slowly and clearly, the majority of the 'rapid-fire' phonetic alphabets heard on the bands would be unnecessary.

Unlike CW operation, it is very easy to forget that the conversation is not taking place down a telephone line. Unless duplex operation is actually in use, the listening station cannot interject a query if something is not understood, and cannot give an answer until the transmitting station has finished. The result is often a long monologue, in which the listening station has to take notes of all the points raised and questions asked if a useful reply is to be given. This should not be necessary if these points are dealt with one at a time.

Procedure As noted earlier, when calling a specific station it is good practice to keep calls short and to use the callsign of the station called once or twice only, followed by one's own callsign pronounced carefully and clearly at least twice using the phonetic alphabet, for example:

"WD9ZZZ. This is Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu calling, and Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu standing by."

Emphasis should be placed on the caller's own callsign, and not on that of the station called. If there is no response, the caller's callsign may be repeated once more after a brief listen. - As in CW operation, CQ calls should also be kept short and repeated as often as desired. An example would be:

"CQ, CQ, CQ, CQ. This is Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu calling, Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu calling CQ and standing by.'

There is no need to say which band is being used, and certainly no need to add "for any possible calls, dah-di-dah!" or "K someone please" etc!

When replying to a call both callsigns should be given clearly, so that the calling station can check its callsign has been received correctly. From then on it is not necessary to use the phonetic alphabet for call signs until the final transmissions. An example would be:

"Whiskey Delta Nine Zulu Zulu Zulu. This is Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu."

Once contact is established it is only necessary to give one's callsign at the intervals required by the licensing authority. A normal two-way conversation can thus be enjoyed, without the need for continual identification. If necessary the words "break" or "over" may be added at the end of a transmission to signal a reply from the other station. In good conditions this will not normally be found necessary. When FM is in use it is self-evident when the other station has stopped transmitting and is listening , because the carrier drops.

The situation is more complex where three or more stations are involved, and it is a good idea to give one's own callsign briefly before each transmission, for example:

"From G4ZZZ.

At the end of the transmission the callsign should again be given, together with an indication of whose turn to speak it is next, for example:

WD9ZZZ to transmit. G4ZZZ in the group."

It is not necessary to run through a list of who is in the group, and who has signed off (and who may possibly be listening) after each transmission, although it may be useful to do this occasionally.

Signal reports on telephony are usually given as a single two-digit number, in a similar fashion to the three-digit CW RST code.

It is recommended that both callsigns be given in the final transmission using the phonetic alphabet so that listening stations can check that they have them correct before calling, for example:

This is Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu signing clear with Whiskey Delta Nine Zulu Zulu Zulu and Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu is now standing by for a call."

Note that some indication to listening stations is useful to indicate what is planned next. Such an indication is also appropriate if an immediate change to another frequency is intended, for example:

"...This is Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu signing clear with Golf Two X-Ray Yankee Zulu Mobile. Golf Four Zulu Zulu Zulu now monitoring S20 for a call."

The restrictions imposed by the UK licence conditions are particularly relevant in telephony operation. It should be made a golden rule never to discuss politics, religion or any other matter which may offend the person to whom one is talking or anyone who may be listening.