How to Call CQ on Ham Radio

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Making an open call on amateur ham radio
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Calling CQ on the ham bands means you want to talk to any station anywhere that might be listening. If you call CQ, be prepared for anyone to answer. You may get lucky and snag a foreign (DX) station! We’ll explain more about what CQ means, how to call it, and how to answer a CQ call.

Calling CQ on Ham Radio

Find a clear frequency by asking, “Is this frequency in use?” Then, say, “CQ CQ Calling CQ, this is [your call sign] calling.” Wait 30-60 seconds. Repeat the call up to 3 times until another operator responds, or change frequencies to try again.

Section 1 of 3:

What is CQ?

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  1. Usually, when you use ham radio, you’re talking to specific other users. When you call CQ, though, you’re sending out a message and inviting anyone who hears it to speak to you on that frequency. [1]
    • Think of it like calling a pay phone in a city—you never know who might pick up!
    • It’s unclear why CQ became the code for an open call, but you can remember it because it sounds like “seek you.”
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Section 2 of 3:

Calling CQ

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  1. You should only call CQ on frequencies that aren’t in use. Otherwise, you may be interrupting other users. Find your desired frequency, then say, “Is this frequency in use?” Then identify yourself by your callsign by saying, “This is [your callsign]”. [2]
    • Wait about 20-30 seconds for a response, then say it again, just to be sure. If the frequency is already in use, try a different frequency.
    • If you’re on CW, or continuous wave, use the code “QRL?” to ask this.
  2. When you give your call sign, spell the phonetic name, as well, so that other users can clearly identify you. For example: [3]
    • "CQ CQ Calling CQ. This is ABC123, Alpha-Bravo-Charlie-One-Two-Three."
    • To request to speak with a foreign operator, you might say, “CQ DX CQ DX Calling CQ DX.” DX is the code for foreign stations. When you do this, also give your own location.
  3. If you’re calling for a particular reason, like for a contest, also say that, then repeat the CQ call. You can also include your location, if you want. For example: “CQ CQ Calling CQ. This is ABC123, Alpha-Bravo-Charlie-One-Two-Three. Calling for wikiHow contest. My location is California. CQ CQ Calling CQ. This is ABC123.” [4]
    • Or say, “Calling for anyone, anywhere,” to make it clear that anyone at all is welcome to respond.”
    • When giving your location, it’s also best to spell out the location phonetically. Location can also be called with the code QTH.
  4. Give anyone else on the frequency a little time to respond. Generally, ham radio users will try to call CQ 3 times on a frequency. If nobody responds in 3 calls, there’s probably nobody on that frequency.
    • Feel free to switch to another frequency if nobody responds. Just remember to ask if the frequency is clear first!
  5. Talk about anything you like, from what equipment you’re using to the weather to asking the other operator about their day. Generally, though, ham radio operators avoid subjects of politics and religion. When you’re done, say both your own call sign and the other operator’s, and say “signing off.” [5]
    • It’s also customary to sign off with the code 73, which means “best regards.”
    • For example, you might say, “Good talking to you, XYZ123; this is ABC123 signing off, seven-three.”
    • You may also want to give a signal report, to give the other operator more information about you.
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Section 3 of 3:

Answering CQ

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  1. If you pick up a CQ frequency, feel free to respond! When you do, repeat the caller’s callsign so they know you’re talking to them, then introduce yourself with your own call sign. [6] For example:
    • “ABC123 ABC123, this is XYZ789, Xray-Yankee-Zulu-Seven-Eight-Nine.”
    • If you’re joining a conversation in progress, mention any call signs you’ve already heard. If you haven’t heard any, simply introduce yourself with your own call sign.
  2. After introducing yourself, it’s common to wait for the person who called CQ to start the conversation. They may want to talk about something specific, or give you more information as to why they’re calling. [7]
    • Give them about 30-60 seconds to speak. If they don’t, feel free to dive in yourself.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    When I was in the service, an amateur radio operator on-board our ship would facilitate calls home with the following statements: "This is WA2PQX. C.Q. stateside, C.Q. stateside, C.Q. stateside. Kilo C, Kilo C, Kilo C." There was other chatter, but I cannot remember it. What did this mean?
    Nick Stokes
    Community Answer
    This means that WA2PQX want only stations in the lower 48, and in this case WA2PQX only wants people in his own country (USA).
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  • Question
    How do I answer a call on a radio station?
    Nick Stokes
    Community Answer
    First, listen to the station calling and see if they're looking for something specific, like a continent, country (USA or K, W, or N), state (Florida or FL), or call area 0 thru 9. Then, you call them and wait 5 to 10 seconds for them to call back. If they call any letter or number in your callsign, then you call back with your callsign slower and clearer. Then, you give basic information like a signal report and location (nearest big city). After that, you can either chat or part ways and find someone else to call.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Should I use "Radio Check" instead? I expect someone to reply to me with his callsign and QTH after I initiate a radio check?
    Community Answer
    You can, although it is more common on repeaters, whereas on shortwave (HF) calling CQ and answering someone else's CQ are the common methods used.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Try using the standard calling frequencies on whatever band you are transmitting on. This applies to 160 meters, with an international DX window. On most other bands of 20 meters and up, there is no set calling frequency. On 20 meters, there is a maritime frequency of 14.300 that should not used for conversations unless you are a maritime (ocean-going) mobile--a ship at sea.
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      • If you’re not sure of the other person’s callsign, ask them, “Please again what is your callsign?” rather than using the QRZ? code.
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      • There’s no single right way to call CQ! As long as you include “CQ” and your callsign, you’re probably good to go.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/operating-your-new-station/making-your-first-qso/
      2. ↑ http://www.arrl.org/making-your-first-contact
      3. ↑ https://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/operating-your-new-station/making-your-first-qso/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=580VdJlXZ_A&t=278s
      5. ↑ https://www.qsl.net/ng3p/haminfo/ham-tutor/protocol.htm
      6. ↑ http://www.arrl.org/making-your-first-contact
      7. ↑ https://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/operating-your-new-station/making-your-first-qso/

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