How to Call CQ on Amateur Radio

Last Updated: November 13, 2022

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. If you want to work foreign stations(DX) call CQ DX. This lets stateside stations know not to answer your call.

Steps

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If on CW, use QRL. Wait 30 seconds or so then transmit the same message again. If the frequency is clear, proceed to step 2.
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This is (your call sign)calling. Repeat this three times. It should look like this:

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If no one answers, start again.
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That means "Is there a station calling me?" Rather, use standard English of "Please again with your call sign" If necessary, use the standard military phonetic alphabet of give your call sign. For example, a call sign of W8XXX would be "whiskey 8 x-ray, x-ray, x-ray over" Do not use fancy or unfamiliar phonetics that may not be understood by the calling station.

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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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How do I answer a call on a radio station?

Nick Stokes

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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.

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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.

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Tips

There are many ways to call CQ, find the way that works best for you.

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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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Many repeaters (2m, 70cm) you do not have to call CQ. You can just say "<your FCC callsign> <mobile, portable (as needed)> listening!"

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Warnings

Be sure to state your call sign every 10 minutes and at the end of your transmission.

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It may help to use the term "over" at the end of your transmission so that the other station knows its his or her turn to transmit.

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