I'm not doctrinaire on the subject.  When I first got a license forty
years ago, hams *had* handles.  Now, presumably in rebellion against CB
excesses, they don't.  And plain language usually serves better.

I do take exception to the general "rule" in one instance, though:
practice says that on repeaters, one should just give one's call and say
one is listening or monitoring or the like.  To me, that's inchoate
arrogance!  Every time I hear someone say they're monitoring, it's about
all I can do not to pick up the mike and say:  "So what!"  I think CQ
should be used *whenever* someone wants a conversation, be it on HF,
VHF/UHF, light, cw, SSB, FM, whatever.  Do I do it?  No.  But it's what
I think should be done.

It's not worth the bother to correct someone.  Better to make a friend.
Some other ham yahoo will certainly tell the unfortunate the error of
his/her ways! (grin)

Mike Freeman < K 7 U I J >

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard WEbb" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 8:13 AM
Subject: Re: Q signals


Message-Id:
<20020926141521.TXDN20012.imf09bis.bellsouth.net@[209.214.149.172]>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:15:26 -0400

Gary wrote:
   >Hi all.  Have you ever heard someone on your local repeater and use
   >the Q signals of QTH or QSL.  It has me wondering if this is
   >appropriate protocol?  I thought i would ask others before I
   >correct someone and get embarrassed by being wrong. Gary KB2YAA
In all actuality, one should always say it with plain language,
especially when working an emergency or tactical situation where all
might not be initiated with the jargon.

Same goes for the ten codes.  AS I explained to some ignatz from the
cb band who was the local ec's assistant back in southeast IOwa when
he'd use the ten codes, "who knows which ones you're using, the
chicken band ten codes, the cop ten codes ... "

Q signals have their place, and cw is it, and yes one hears them used
on phone all the time.

Unless you're working an emergency or some other tactical situation
better to just let it pass.  THey're neat, and I've told somebody on
both ssb or fm more than once what my qth was.  HOwever, usually I'll
just say my location.

MOst of the emergency communications manuals will give you this advice
when working phone.  HOwever, I've asked somebody on a traffic net if
he wanted to qta the traffic more than once.

AT least they're universally understood by most of us who operate hf,
unlike the good buddy codes.

Btw, I don't have a freakin' handle, my name is Richard.


73 de nf5b



Richard Webb

Electric Spider Productions

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

--- Benjamin Franklin November 1755