I'm toying with the idea of getting into amateur radio and have been reading up on the foundation licence As such, I've got a few very basic questions about making inital contact in the amateur radio world.
Are specifc call channels/frequencies used on HF, VHF and UHF? I guess I'm thinking in CB terms here. Is it a similar system of frequency use or is it just a matter of finding any clear frequency and putting out a (correctly sructured) CQ call and hoping for the best? If there are calling freqs, where can I get some info on them for all bands available to a foundation licencee? I've found the WIA band plan no problem but unable (so far) to find anything specifically on calling frequencies (if they even exist).
Also what's the go with GSYing to another frequency after making contact? Do you basically just make inital contact on a calling freq then the called station stands by while the caller quickly finds one that is clear or does the calling station already have a clear frequency checked out and ready prior to making the CQ call? How far away from the calling freq do you usually have to go?
Are these procedures different on HF, VHF and UHF?
Also in some of the literature I've been reading it talks about identifying repeater stations. How are they usually ID'd? Is it just a matter of knowing that a repeater on a specific frequency is listed as being on "Mount Whatever" so if you can hear a repeater on that freq then it must be that repeater?
And finally.... How do you know what DTMF and CTSS control tones are applicable to what repeaters?
Ok. As I said... basic and dumb questions but someone's got to ask them.
> I'm toying with the idea of getting into amateur radio and have been > reading up on the foundation licence As such, I've got a few very > basic questions about making inital contact in the amateur radio > world.
> Are specifc call channels/frequencies used on HF, VHF and UHF? I > guess I'm thinking in CB terms here. Is it a similar system of > frequency use or is it just a matter of finding any clear frequency > and putting out a (correctly sructured) CQ call and hoping for the > best? If there are calling freqs, where can I get some info on them > for all bands available to a foundation licencee? I've found the WIA > band plan no problem but unable (so far) to find anything specifically > on calling frequencies (if they even exist).
> Also what's the go with GSYing to another frequency after making > contact? Do you basically just make inital contact on a calling freq > then the called station stands by while the caller quickly finds one > that is clear or does the calling station already have a clear > frequency checked out and ready prior to making the CQ call? How far > away from the calling freq do you usually have to go?
> Are these procedures different on HF, VHF and UHF?
> Also in some of the literature I've been reading it talks about > identifying repeater stations. How are they usually ID'd? Is it just > a matter of knowing that a repeater on a specific frequency is listed > as being on "Mount Whatever" so if you can hear a repeater on that > freq then it must be that repeater?
> And finally.... How do you know what DTMF and CTSS control tones are > applicable to what repeaters?
> Ok. As I said... basic and dumb questions but someone's got to ask > them.
> Thanks in advance.
> Dene
Yes, specific call frequencies are used, but this is not a hard and fast rule The Australian call frequencies for voice (meaning: not morse code which is also called CW) a foundation member can use are 3.650 , 7.090 , 21.190 and 28.590 qsy-ing to a different frequency: check beforehand how clear adjacent frequencies are, if all else fails change frequency again! The codes that are applicable to repeaters We talk 2 mtr and 70 cm here) you can find online, note: most repeaters do NOT have access to ECHOLINK or IRLP You can find ALL australian repeaters by a simple google search,or go to: http://vkham.com/australimaps.html the echolink nodes are on: http://www.echolink.org/links.jsp and IRLP on http://status.irlp.net/index.php?PSTART=3 The fun part is talking to all sorts of people all over the world with this, the other day I talked to a guy in the Netherlands which was on a handheld in his backyard while having a cuppa! Find your local club and get cracking, you can get your foundation licence in a week-end, it is rare to fail the exam if you give it a fair go! 73's Bert VK4FAPV
VK4FAPV speaks the truth! On 40 mtrs, there really isn't such a thing as a calling frequency, though 7090 will probably net you more replies than some of the more obscure frequencies. Simply find a clear fequency and let fly!
About how far to QSY - We tend to fill the "5's and 0's" first. Only when the band gets busy do we "splinter", so the short answer is, QSY a minimum of 5 kHz up or down. 10 kHz is better if you have identified locals using the "call frequency".
Yes, it is a good idea for one of the QSO partners to go off and check that the "landing zone" is free, but if you have done a recent scan of the band, speculative changes are not unheard of.
On VHF, as Bert has hinted, you typically congregate on your (best) local repeater fequency. It's good practice to go to a simplex frequency after making contact if you can.
Don't get hung up on tones, etc. They are rare in Australia. The WIA repeater listing will tell you if you need one.
As far as procedures go, we don't tend to call CQ on VHF. We simply announce that we are monitoring. Other than that (and going to simplex if possible), procedures are pretty much the same as HF.
Repeaters usually identify via automated Morse code, though more and more these days ID on voice, with software-stored announcements. You might be in trouble relying on the frequency to ID a repeater. In the summer, 2000 km distance on 2m mtrs in not uncommon. That could take in a lot of same-frequency repeaters!
The Australian call frequencies for voice (meaning: not morse code which is also called CW) a foundation member can use are 3.650 , 7.090 , 21.190 and 28.590 qsy-ing to a different frequency:
Can I ask how these frequencies were determined? The only SSB calling freq listed in the band plans is 28.390. Which is a recent WIA suggestion to get local traffic off 28.490 (some hope!). So I'm surprised to see you list 28.590. Is this a convention being suggested to foundation licensees?
I was aware that 7.090 was used by many, but never heard of the others.
> The Australian call frequencies for voice (meaning: not morse code > which is also called CW) a foundation member can use are 3.650 , > 7.090 , 21.190 and 28.590 qsy-ing to a different frequency:
> Can I ask how these frequencies were determined? > The only SSB calling freq listed in the band plans is 28.390. Which is a > recent WIA suggestion to get local traffic off 28.490 (some hope!). So I'm > surprised to see you list 28.590. Is this a convention being suggested to > foundation licensees?
> I was aware that 7.090 was used by many, but never heard of the others.
> These are calling frequencies for QRP (low power) stations.
> 73 de G3NYY
> -- > Walt Davidson Email: g3nyy @despammed.com
? did not find that anywhere to be QRP freq's, then again; I'm only allowed 10 watts for now anyway! lol Anybody knows other worldwide frequencies; please list! (with source if possible) Bert VK4FAPV
> CALLING FREQUENCIES > Please QSY off the calling frequency after establishing > communication.
...........
I had seen those freq's before but thought they may have been some "Scouts Only" agreement and not really applicable to the wider community. Do those frequencies coincide with what most people seem to regularly use?
> > CALLING FREQUENCIES > > Please QSY off the calling frequency after establishing > > communication.
> ...........
> I had seen those freq's before but thought they may have been some > "Scouts Only" agreement and not really applicable to the wider > community. Do those frequencies coincide with what most people seem > to regularly use?
Dene, I think you are right - those are "Scouting" suggested frequencies. Not far off the more common HF frequencies, with a couple of exceptions. 15 & 10 mtrs are so dead most days that call frequencies are of considerable value. Assuming you would like to try your hand at some overseas contacts:
15: try 21280 or 21290. Informal DX call channel 10: Yes, they are trying to establish a domestic call channel on 28390, but old habits die hard, and 28490 (the "DX" call channel) still takes the brunt of the random calls. Be sure to move off either one once you establish contact.
Don't even worry about call frequencies below 15 mtrs. Find a clear frequency sanctioned by the WIA band plan, and let fly!
You will find that there are an enormous number of nets on both 80 & 40 mtrs. They are a pretty good way to get your feet wet, and be sure at the same time that you are not stepping on someone else.
I have been told by a couple of my foundation students that there are a couple of informal nets on 80 mtrs where Foundation licencees are made to feel unwelcome by the old geezers. Move on! They do not represent the majority view, and reveal their ignorance with every press of the PTT.
> Dene, I think you are right - those are "Scouting" suggested > frequencies. Not far off the more common HF frequencies, with a couple > of exceptions. 15 & 10 mtrs are so dead most days that call > frequencies are of considerable value. Assuming you would like to try > your hand at some overseas contacts:
> 15: try 21280 or 21290. Informal DX call channel > 10: Yes, they are trying to establish a domestic call channel on > 28390, but old habits die hard, and 28490 (the "DX" call channel) > still takes the brunt of the random calls. Be sure to move off either > one once you establish contact.
> Don't even worry about call frequencies below 15 mtrs. Find a clear > frequency sanctioned by the WIA band plan, and let fly!
> You will find that there are an enormous number of nets on both 80 & > 40 mtrs. They are a pretty good way to get your feet wet, and be sure > at the same time that you are not stepping on someone else.
> I have been told by a couple of my foundation students that there are > a couple of informal nets on 80 mtrs where Foundation licencees are > made to feel unwelcome by the old geezers. Move on! They do not > represent the majority view, and reveal their ignorance with every > press of the PTT.
> 73 & hope to work you soon > John VK4TJ
In a further search I only found US stuff; See: http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=14967 where cal frequencies are mentioned More similar stuff found too in a Google search for call frequencies Bert VK4FAPV
> VK4FAPV speaks the truth! On 40 mtrs, there really isn't such a thing > as a calling frequency, though 7090 will probably net you more replies > than some of the more obscure frequencies. Simply find a clear > fequency and let fly!
> About how far to QSY - We tend to fill the "5's and 0's" first. Only > when the band gets busy do we "splinter", so the short answer is, QSY > a minimum of 5 kHz up or down. 10 kHz is better if you have identified > locals using the "call frequency".
> Yes, it is a good idea for one of the QSO partners to go off and check > that the "landing zone" is free, but if you have done a recent scan of > the band, speculative changes are not unheard of.
> On VHF, as Bert has hinted, you typically congregate on your (best) > local repeater fequency. It's good practice to go to a simplex > frequency after making contact if you can.
> Don't get hung up on tones, etc. They are rare in Australia. The WIA > repeater listing will tell you if you need one.
> As far as procedures go, we don't tend to call CQ on VHF. We simply > announce that we are monitoring. Other than that (and going to simplex > if possible), procedures are pretty much the same as HF.
> Repeaters usually identify via automated Morse code, though more and > more these days ID on voice, with software-stored announcements. You > might be in trouble relying on the frequency to ID a repeater. In the > summer, 2000 km distance on 2m mtrs in not uncommon. That could take > in a lot of same-frequency repeaters!
And one last little note, the main SSTV frequency is 14.230, with a repeater in VK4 on 14.236. There's also a repeater on 7.053 in VK5.
> "vk4tj" <vk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:324473c7-3a77-4a43-9bb9-2f2fd07bc0c1@d2g2000pra.googlegroups.com... >> VK4FAPV speaks the truth! On 40 mtrs, there really isn't such a thing >> as a calling frequency, though 7090 will probably net you more replies >> than some of the more obscure frequencies. Simply find a clear >> fequency and let fly!
>> About how far to QSY - We tend to fill the "5's and 0's" first. Only >> when the band gets busy do we "splinter", so the short answer is, QSY >> a minimum of 5 kHz up or down. 10 kHz is better if you have identified >> locals using the "call frequency".
>> Yes, it is a good idea for one of the QSO partners to go off and check >> that the "landing zone" is free, but if you have done a recent scan of >> the band, speculative changes are not unheard of.
>> On VHF, as Bert has hinted, you typically congregate on your (best) >> local repeater fequency. It's good practice to go to a simplex >> frequency after making contact if you can.
>> Don't get hung up on tones, etc. They are rare in Australia. The WIA >> repeater listing will tell you if you need one.
>> As far as procedures go, we don't tend to call CQ on VHF. We simply >> announce that we are monitoring. Other than that (and going to simplex >> if possible), procedures are pretty much the same as HF.
>> Repeaters usually identify via automated Morse code, though more and >> more these days ID on voice, with software-stored announcements. You >> might be in trouble relying on the frequency to ID a repeater. In the >> summer, 2000 km distance on 2m mtrs in not uncommon. That could take >> in a lot of same-frequency repeaters!
> And one last little note, the main SSTV frequency is 14.230, with a > repeater in VK4 on 14.236. There's also a repeater on 7.053 in VK5.
>> "vk4tj" <vk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message >> news:324473c7-3a77-4a43-9bb9-2f2fd07bc0c1@d2g2000pra.googlegroups.com... >>> VK4FAPV speaks the truth! On 40 mtrs, there really isn't such a thing >>> as a calling frequency, though 7090 will probably net you more replies >>> than some of the more obscure frequencies. Simply find a clear >>> fequency and let fly!
>>> About how far to QSY - We tend to fill the "5's and 0's" first. Only >>> when the band gets busy do we "splinter", so the short answer is, QSY >>> a minimum of 5 kHz up or down. 10 kHz is better if you have identified >>> locals using the "call frequency".
>>> Yes, it is a good idea for one of the QSO partners to go off and check >>> that the "landing zone" is free, but if you have done a recent scan of >>> the band, speculative changes are not unheard of.
>>> On VHF, as Bert has hinted, you typically congregate on your (best) >>> local repeater fequency. It's good practice to go to a simplex >>> frequency after making contact if you can.
>>> Don't get hung up on tones, etc. They are rare in Australia. The WIA >>> repeater listing will tell you if you need one.
>>> As far as procedures go, we don't tend to call CQ on VHF. We simply >>> announce that we are monitoring. Other than that (and going to simplex >>> if possible), procedures are pretty much the same as HF.
>>> Repeaters usually identify via automated Morse code, though more and >>> more these days ID on voice, with software-stored announcements. You >>> might be in trouble relying on the frequency to ID a repeater. In the >>> summer, 2000 km distance on 2m mtrs in not uncommon. That could take >>> in a lot of same-frequency repeaters!
>> And one last little note, the main SSTV frequency is 14.230, with a >> repeater in VK4 on 14.236. There's also a repeater on 7.053 in VK5.
> >> "vk4tj" <vk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message > >>news:324473c7-3a77-4a43-9bb9-2f2fd07bc0c1@d2g2000pra.googlegroups.com... > >>> VK4FAPV speaks the truth! On 40 mtrs, there really isn't such a thing > >>> as a calling frequency, though 7090 will probably net you more replies > >>> than some of the more obscure frequencies. Simply find a clear > >>> fequency and let fly!
> >>> About how far to QSY - We tend to fill the "5's and 0's" first. Only > >>> when the band gets busy do we "splinter", so the short answer is, QSY > >>> a minimum of 5 kHz up or down. 10 kHz is better if you have identified > >>> locals using the "call frequency".
> >>> Yes, it is a good idea for one of the QSO partners to go off and check > >>> that the "landing zone" is free, but if you have done a recent scan of > >>> the band, speculative changes are not unheard of.
> >>> On VHF, as Bert has hinted, you typically congregate on your (best) > >>> local repeater fequency. It's good practice to go to a simplex > >>> frequency after making contact if you can.
> >>> Don't get hung up on tones, etc. They are rare in Australia. The WIA > >>> repeater listing will tell you if you need one.
> >>> As far as procedures go, we don't tend to call CQ on VHF. We simply > >>> announce that we are monitoring. Other than that (and going to simplex > >>> if possible), procedures are pretty much the same as HF.
> >>> Repeaters usually identify via automated Morse code, though more and > >>> more these days ID on voice, with software-stored announcements. You > >>> might be in trouble relying on the frequency to ID a repeater. In the > >>> summer, 2000 km distance on 2m mtrs in not uncommon. That could take > >>> in a lot of same-frequency repeaters!
> >> And one last little note, the main SSTV frequency is 14.230, with a > >> repeater in VK4 on 14.236. There's also a repeater on 7.053 in VK5.
Bert (and others), please be aware that this is not an officially decried/authorised list of frequencies. It is merely one group of amateurs who have picked these frequencies as being where they will congregate, so there is no legal backing to allow them sole use of those frequencies. In the end, you use what you want (within the limits of the band plan - which is of course only a gentlemans agreement - and few of us would qualify for that).
"toowoomba4350" <toowoomba4...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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