SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-call-cq-simplex

How should you seek any phone contact without a repeater?

Say CQ a few times, give your call sign, then listen.

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  1. Repeat CQ, give your call sign, then listen ✔
  2. Say QTC and change frequency if unanswered
  3. Transmit a ten-second carrier before calling

Why: On a direct phone frequency, repeat CQ a few times, say this is and your call sign, then pause to listen. Repeat as necessary without sending a long carrier.

Huh, didn't know that: The listening pause gives another station room to answer before you call again.

The dad joke
Why did CQ pause? It was waiting for a good comeback.
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References

Answer: Repeat CQ, give your call sign, then listen. On a direct phone frequency, repeat CQ a few times, say this is and your call sign, then pause to listen. Repeat as necessary without sending a long carrier.

  1. 2026-2030 Technician Class Question Pool, T2A06 ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    Repeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is,” and your call sign, then pause to listen
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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