New Ham.... HF Operating Tips.
By Bob Kriegseis WB9VGO


Congratulations.  You've done it.  You studied your theory, you
practiced your code, and you didn't lose your lunch when you went down
 to take your test.  All the effort was not in vain and you got that upgrade
that you've been dreaming about. You have HF privileges now and you are
ready to use them.  Or are you?
     Maybe yes, maybe no, or maybe you're just not sure.  If you started
out as a Technician, as most hams do today, you may be pretty clueless
about the HF bands.  And if you're clueless about the HF bands it's a fair
bet to say that you may be a bit foggy on how to operate there, as well.
    I thought it might be helpful if I threw out a few suggestions on some
of the basics of HF operating.  Some hints, which if followed, will make the
transition from VHF to HF easy and fun.  Experience may be the best
teacher, but in this age of instant access and immediate gratification, we
all tend to jump in with both feet before we know how deep the pond is.
Hopefully this article will help you to eliminate a few of the mistakes that come
from inexperience.
    OK.  Lets assume that you have your station all set up and ready for
 action.  Everything checks out OK, you didn't make catastrophic errors in your
station installation and you're not reading this from intensive care.  You have
the microphone, key, or paddles ( my personal preference ) in hand and what
do you want to do first???  LISTEN!!!!!           
    Yes, that's right.  Sorry to disappoint you but the first thing you  want
 to do on HF, is listen.  And not just for a few seconds either.  Before you even
think about putting any kind of signal out over the air you should listen and
make sure you won't be jumping on a QSO already in progress.  Remember
this isn't the repeater.  You may not always hear both sides of a conversation
on HF.  Propagation is a funny thing, but it's not so funny to call CQ  and then
 find out you're on a DX stations transmit frequency.  If this is your first CQ, I
guarantee you won't soon forget it.  Hell hath no fury like an enraged DX pileup.
If someone calls you a LID, don't boast, it is not a badge of honor.
    There is an easy way to avoid this scenario and,  quite possibly,
months of therapy.  How?  Just ask.  Is the frequency in use?  On CW send QRL?
If it's busy you'll get a " yes it is...thank you for asking."  On CW you'll get a
"R" ( roger ) or "C" ( si ).  Easy huh?  Now isn't that much nicer than the "#$%&@"
you would have gotten if you didn't ask?
    OK.  The frequency is clear and now you can call CQ.  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ
CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  ( oh yeah, the callsign ).  This is WB9VGO
CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ  CQ....................WRONG.
This is not an exaggeration.  Most hams have heard this kind of endless CQing
on the HF bands.  This can wear on an experienced operators patience.  Just
imagine this CQ being sent on CW at 5 WPM.   AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!
You can, almost literally hear the beginning of the CQ, go outside and mow the lawn,
come inside for a bite of lunch and then sit back down at the rig
at about the time the " CQ from Haites "  is ending.  Just hope you don't sit down
a second too late or you'll hear the whole thing all over again.  Or, if you're like
me, you'll QSY to another frequency.  Leaving this poor guy with doubts about
the effectiveness of his station.
    A better way to do it, or at least the way I was taught is, " CQ CQ CQ
this is WB9VGO, Whiskey Bravo Nine Victor Golf Oscar,  WB9VGO calling CQ
40 meters and bye for any calls."  If you don't get a response you can repeat.  
Three CQ's, three ID's, with at least one phonetically.  Oh what the heck.  You
can even send 3 calls, 3 ID's and repeat before you stand by.  The point is,
after a short call, STOP.  Listen for a reply.  If nothing, then try again.  You
will get many more replies if you're not too long-winded in your calls.  On CW,
same thing.  CQ CQ CQ de WB9VGO WB9VGO WB9VGO PSE K.
    Another little tip if you're on CW.  Don't send your CQ's faster than
you are capable of receiving.  Most hams can send faster than they can copy.
 The more experienced CW operators will try to respond to a new hams CQ at
 about the same speed it was sent.  So, if you are comfortable receiving at
 7 WPM and you call CQ at 10 WPM, you will need to make at least one extra
transmission to try to get the other station to slow down.   
    To get the other station to slow down you send PSE QRS.  Please
send more slowly.  You can throw in the speed you want him to QRS to
( ie. QRS 7 WPM ).  But it is much easier just to send at the receive speed
you want.  The point is to be able to copy the information being sent to you.    
Sure you'll miss a few thing here and there, but you'll get the important things
for the log.  Name, QTH, and RST are some of the things you should log cor-
rectly.  If you miss something, ask for a repeat.  UR QTH AGN PSE? BK ( your
QTH again please?  Back to you ).  This is communication, so if you don't
understand something, keep trying until you do.
    OK you've done it.  You made that first HF contact.  After you stop
shaking you'll want to enter the QSO information in your station log.  "Log?
you ask.  "The FCC doesn't require a station log anymore.  I never logged any
of my repeater QSO's."  True, legally you don't have to log.  But if you ever want
a QSL card for WAS, DXCC, or just for the heck of it, you had better log your
contacts.  Time on, time off and in UTC ( Universal Time ).  Logging a station at
3:35 PM CST doesn't mean squat to a  station in Melbourne.
    You can use a good "old fashioned"  ARRL type log.  You know, the
kind you have to physically do the writing yourself.  Or, you can use a logging
program on your PC.  Or both.  It really doesn't matter how you log, just log.
Besides after you've been in the hobby a number of years it's fun to reminisce.
I still get a kick out of looking back at my first contact.  Or the many pleasant QSO's
I had with my Elmer, Jim, N9GI, now a silent key.  You'll never regret keeping a
log and it's the best way to keep a record of the changes that you make to your
station over the years.  How does the new antenna compare to the old.  The
comments written down when working Japan QRP when the bands were "really"
open.  These are just a few examples of what a good station log can include.
    There are many more subjects I could discuss, maybe in another
article, but this should get you started.  If you decide to operate fone, CW, nets,
ragchew, DX or stateside, the main thing to remember is LISTEN first.  You'll
learn more in a few minutes of listening than in hours of talking.
    If you have any questions about HF operating don't be afraid to ask.
Amateur radio is filled with many people who would be more than happy to
share their hints and experiences with you.  Joining a local radio club provides
a great resource of experienced operators with various interests in the hobby.
Most hams enjoy helping a newcomer join the ranks and inviting them to visit
their shack.  You now, quite literally, have the world at your fingertips.  Learning
the right habits early will lead to years of enjoyment on the HF bands.  Have fun
and "LISTEN" for me on the HF bands. 73.