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What is it against convention to call CQ on a repeater? Anybody know how this tradition started and why ? |
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The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which is Amateur Radios major advocate for our service before the Federal Government and its Federal Communications Commission (FCC), established a reference for good operating practices called "The ARRL Operating Manual". As a part of that manual they established good "Repeater Operating Practices" back in the earlier days of repeaters. In one of the original "ARRL Repeater Directory" it has the procedures I have always followed which is written as: 1. Monitor the repeater to become familiar with any peculiarities in its operation. 2. To initiate a contact simply indicate that you are on frequency. Various geographical areas have different practices on making yourself heard, but generally, "This is (Your Call Sign) monitoring" will surfice. K4RFE Larry |
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It's not really wrong to call CQ on a repeater, however it is not necessary. When you announce your presence on the repeater--as described by K4RFE here--people who respond to you will already be on frequency, unless they hear you while scanning. The idea of calling CQ is more intended for non-fixed frequencies, where others will be typically scannning the band for contacts. ---Michael |
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A CQ call serves several functions in HF or weak signal work:
Since the propagation characteristics and frequency of an FM repeater are well known, the last two reasons for the CQ call are eliminated. Also, No effort is required to get the typical FM transmitter and antenna system ready for transmission. Since many ops routinely scan all the repeater channels within local range as found in a published list or via common knowledge; and more pointedly do NOT randomly tune the band, the need to "catch" a listener is also eliminated. This is simply normal operating practice for channelized FM work. So the only reason that remains is:
Presumably, a station wouldn't be transmitting at all if he didn't want to talk, so it follows that simply keying up and stating your presence is the only thing you need to do. Within seconds all those scanning receivers will stop, so inserting a moment of silence before deliberately identifying leaves enough time for everyone who is interested to hear you clearly. In these conditions, calling CQ for 30 seconds can be seen as an annoyance, as well as being technically unjustified. |
