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Call Sign : 108-CT-261 Posts : 9 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2020-05-18 QTH or Location : Lanarkshire Equipment Used : crt ss6900, maycom em27 Age : 34
Subject: My first contact was a disaster (help) Tue May 26, 2020 6:53 pm
Hey, i managed to get a contact in Wittenberge Germany today, we exchanged call signs but then he completely lost me with q codes and numbers and phrases to the point I didn’t know how to reply to him , the first one i took a guess at as he named a frequency so i tuned the radio to that and luckily he was their calling my call sign we managed to exchange basics like signal strength and locations but on my part i was mostly acknowledging what he was saying and then returning the same back to him, is there a dx for dummies manual as for all I’m excited about the contact i felt way out of my depth . Thanks in advance for any help i can get
Call Sign : 26-CT-4558 Posts : 43 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2020-05-22 QTH or Location : Wootton Bassett Equipment Used : CRT Superstar SS-7900, TTi TCB-771, Thunderpole Red Devil, Cobra M75 Power Mic
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Tue May 26, 2020 7:35 pm
Ha ha, yes, can be daunting LOL! there are 'Dummy' guides on amazon, cheap enough https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Dummys-Guide-C-B-Radio/dp/0913990043 here are the popular Q Codes used:
QRM Is there any (Man made) interference? There is man made interference.
QRN Is there any atmospheric noise? There is atmospheric noise.
QRV Are you ready to receive? I am ready to receive.
QRZ Who is calling me? You are being called by . . .
QSY Shall I change to another frequency? Change to another frequency.
QTH What is your location? My location is . .
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt? I acknowledge receipt.
Call Sign : 26CT763 Posts : 1320 Times Thanked : 33 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : Manchester Equipment Used : Optima, Superstar 360fm, Stalker 9fdx, President Jack Age : 47
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Tue May 26, 2020 10:50 pm
Hello Craig,
YouTube can be a good source of info for operating procedure. There are lots of "video-gates" of dx-style conversations (QSO) on there. If you type something like '11m dx' into the search on YouTube it will chuck up loads of videos.
Don't let it put you off, a bit of practice and I am sure you will sound like a seasoned pro.
Call Sign : 26CT763 Posts : 1320 Times Thanked : 33 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : Manchester Equipment Used : Optima, Superstar 360fm, Stalker 9fdx, President Jack Age : 47
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Tue May 26, 2020 11:11 pm
No worries, Craig. Glad it has not put you off. Congrats on the contact too.
Call Sign : 29-CT-049 Posts : 5 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2020-05-19 QTH or Location : Maynooth Equipment Used : Baofeng UVR5R
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Tue May 26, 2020 11:41 pm
Don't worry Craig...I had the same happen to me on Sunday. Was on a great Net on PMR on Sunday . Like learning to ride a bike I guess. I'm not going to give up either....it's great fun.
Call Sign : 26-CT-465/OP-465/FB-012 Posts : 94 Times Thanked : 3 Join date : 2020-04-12 QTH or Location : Kent Equipment Used : This n that Age : 51
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Wed May 27, 2020 6:43 am
Does`nt seem like a disaster at all as you made contact and enjoyed the experience.
Well done on the contact and tbh i operate with a relaxed nature and the need for codes and special language maybe second nature after time but that is what i like about 11m..relaxed and no exact rules.
I tend to just chat about worldly stuff once signal reports,working conditions (rig/twig etc) and weather conditions are delt with.
Good to see the excitement in your post and with many more contacts to come it will get better and better..enjoy 73 Sam
Call Sign : 108CT233 Posts : 151 Times Thanked : 11 Join date : 2019-12-01 QTH or Location : Central Scotland Equipment Used : CRT SS9900 Beofeng UV5R Yaesu FTDX1200 CRT Micron CRT FP00 Sattelite 2000 antenna ZS6BKW X30 co-linear
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Wed May 27, 2020 7:00 am
It can be a good idea to print these codes off and have them handy as a point of reference, you will notice it's a few of them that get used the most. I have to admit I nearly fluffed a couple of contacts through sheer excitement, don't worry about it, put it down to experience and have them handy in future. Nobody will think any less of you as you forgot a couple of Q codes, you will laugh over this in the future I'm sure.
Call Sign : 26-CT-3569 Posts : 4 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2020-05-19 QTH or Location : King's Lynn Equipment Used : CRT One N, CRT SS9900
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Wed May 27, 2020 6:17 pm
Is there anything to lose by saying, "Sorry, I'm new. You're my first contact and I am struggling with the Q codes. Could we please use plain language as well"
Call Sign : 26-CT-1836 Ham 2E0GGQ Posts : 1947 Times Thanked : 149 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : Braunston Northamptonshire. Equipment Used : Radios & Wires & Stuff! Age : 56
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Wed May 27, 2020 7:32 pm
alpha_india wrote:
Is there anything to lose by saying, "Sorry, I'm new. You're my first contact and I am struggling with the Q codes. Could we please use plain language as well"
Definitely nothing wrong with that. 100% the right thing to do.
Call Sign : 26-CT-3618 Posts : 6 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2020-06-01 QTH or Location : West pinchbeck Equipment Used : Thunderpole t2000,Yaesu ft-77, home brew antenna/antron 99 Age : 26
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:46 pm
A little late but android app called "amateur radio tool kit" has all the question codes 73 codes and other good information and it's handy for other things for building antennas as ect
Call Sign : 26 CT050 26 FB080 26 WT105 26 TE171 Posts : 715 Times Thanked : 44 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : NORTH LONDON Equipment Used : ORIGINAL President Lincoln, Midland 8001XT, President Teddy , Silver Eagle microphones , Gainmaster antenna, use a AMP ofcourse I do sometimes Age : 62
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Wed Jun 24, 2020 11:18 pm
Firetrap, GaryWilson and Alan - Mirror Man like this post
Call Sign : 26 CT050 26 FB080 26 WT105 26 TE171 Posts : 715 Times Thanked : 44 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : NORTH LONDON Equipment Used : ORIGINAL President Lincoln, Midland 8001XT, President Teddy , Silver Eagle microphones , Gainmaster antenna, use a AMP ofcourse I do sometimes Age : 62
Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help) Wed Jun 24, 2020 11:19 pm
I posted this for you most you will never use but you will get use to the main ones you will use as time goes on mate
The above list has been move to th the Information and Guide section of the forum
Firetrap, GaryWilson and Alan - Mirror Man like this post
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Subject: Re: My first contact was a disaster (help)