On a Repeater
“[Your callsign], listening.”
Listen first, then leave a brief pause after pressing PTT before speaking. Announcing your callsign is the usual repeater convention; repeated CQ calls are generally unnecessary.
What to Say on Ham Radio
Practical scripts for calling, answering and checking into a net.
What Should I Say When Making My First Ham Radio Contact?
Use your assigned callsign in these examples. These are helpful patterns, not mandatory wording.
Answer a Station
“[Their callsign], this is [your callsign].”
Speak clearly and give an honest report. On FM, describe readability and noise: “Clear audio with a little hiss” is more useful than an automatic 59.
Call on Simplex or SSB
“Is this frequency in use? [Your callsign].”
Then, if clear: “CQ, this is [your callsign], calling CQ and listening.”
Listen between attempts. Keep the call brief and give other operators time to answer.
Join a Net or Conversation
“[Your callsign, using phonetics].”
For a net, wait for net control’s invitation and provide only the requested information. For a conversation, give your callsign in a gap and wait for acknowledgment.
Finish a Contact
“Thanks for the contact. 73, [your callsign], clear.”
Identify at the end of your communication and at least every ten minutes during it. The repeater’s own ID does not identify your station. FCC identification rule.