May 26, 2026 – “Using Good Etiquette on the Radio”

Good evening. This is W1UT and tonight’s training is about “Using Good Etiquette on the Radio.”

On a large linked system such as the Intermountain Intertie it is good practice to wait a second or two after pressing your PTT button. This will allow all of the repeaters that are part of the system to be activated and ensures the first part of your transmission is not cut off. If you are using simplex then this is not that important.

When using a handheld radio look at the front of the radio and determine where the microphone element is located. It is usually behind a small hole on the front of the radio. The same applies to a handheld microphone. Put your handheld radio or your external microphone close to your lips and press the PTT button. Then speak loudly into the microphone. Some people like to speak slightly sideways across the face of the microphone to reduce puffing sounds that may be heard during your transmission. Personaly I have not found this to much of an issue. Many tend to talk way too quietly or are too far from the surface of the microphone. Many new hams like to ask for a signal check, which is great, but you might also ask if your voice is loud enough to be easily heard.

Handheld radios work best when the antenna is oriented vertically. All repeater antennas are installed vertically on a tower or mast using what is called vertical polarization. This means that your handheld must also be vertically oriented for best signal into the repeater. You will also find that handhelds clipped to your body or belt do not receive well especially on the fringes of a repeater. Some hams will purchase a speaker/microphone for pseudo hands free operation. Speaker mics are nice additions but it is recommended that you pull the radio off your belt and hold it away from your body for best performance.

If you would like to initiate a contact on the VHF or UHF bands you can certainly call CQ, but this may not be familiar to hams who have not operated on the HF bands. I recommend making a call on your radio indicating that you would like to make a contact followed by your call sign. If someone comes back and tells you your signal is weak or scratchy try increasing your power or finding a better location. Handheld radios never work as well as a mobile radio using a good external antenna.

Should you like to be part of an ongoing chat it is best to not use the word “break”. Simply throw in your call sign between transmissions. This is another good reason for allowing a few seconds between transmissions in case someone else might like to join your conversion or if there is an emergency.

Avoid the practice of kerchunking which some hams use to determine if they can bring up a repeater. This is to be avoided especially on large linked repeater systems. You can simply say that you are monitoring and then give your call sign. On the intertie system it is recommended to keep your conversations to 10 minutes or less.

Here are a few items of courtesy when using your radio. Keep your conversations positive and uplifting. Do not intentionally talk over the top of someone else, play music, use vulgar language or use your radio to disrupt communications. Please do not act offended if another ham can’t remember your name or call sign. Some of us are older or are operating mobile and simply cannot remember contact details. Belittling other hams or retaliating is never appropriate. It is always best to come across as a ham willing to help and sound positive.

Finally 99% of all hams you will meet on the air are helpful, courteous and a joy to talk to. There is no reason to be fearful of keying your radio even if this is the first time you make a contact. I have worked many new hams and am always excited to hear a new ham making his first contact. After some 50 years on the radio I hope that all new hams will find their nitch in the hobby and stay active on the air.