I’m finally on HF after waiting too long, but have been too nervous to call CQ on a freq for fear it’s in use. My concern is that I won’t hear replies that it’s busy and then I’ll be an annoyance. I want to assume that if I can’t hear anyone it is open…but is that 100% true?
I’ll be transmitting at 5-20w on an EFHW sloper and have my Extra.
What are your tips and suggestions for ensuring a freq is open? Am I way overthinking/worried about this?
TIA!
Welcome to HF!!!
It’s so awesome that you’re jumping in. To confirm a frequency is clear, many folks just call “Is this frequency in use” a couple of times, and if no one responds, you’re good to go!
Another thing to remember is that no one OWNS a frequency, so if you’ve been operating for a while and some unruly character tries to tell you that the frequency is in use now or that you need to move, they have no more right to it than you. Just get on and have fun! You can always dial up or down a few kilohertz if someone is trying to be combative, but those are few and far between.
Hope to get you in the log soon!
73,
Andy N0APX
WRL Product Manager
Thanks for that Andy (appreciate all your YT videos!). That helps me feel much more confident about actually calling CQ.
You are so welcome!!! Thank you for the kind words!
73,
Andy N0APX
WRL Product Manager
this made me think of the time that a net just rolled over a pota station that had been there for the last half hour.
They did not even try to accommodate(and they knew he was there) they just started the net over the top of them.
That kind of thing just infuriates me.
The net should have a fallback freq.
If they had just asked the guy politely to leave that would have been different but they were just yelling “GET OFF POTA!!!” and “YOU HAVE GOT YOUR 10 CONTACTS LEAVE!!!.”
Apparently they forgot that no one owns the frequency.
Edit: i am going to make this a topic to see what everyone thinks i should do if i see something like this again
In the week I’ve been on HF, I’ve already run into that. There is a LOT of hate out there for POTA it seems. While I don’t POTA, I am incredibly thankful for anyone who does since chasing them has been a huge help in making contacts, understanding propagation and antennas real time while I learn.
It’s funny how radio is turning out to be exactly like elementary school.
Lol my first POTA activation is started on 14.230 because it was open. The sstv police were in there real quick.
You also have to remember that you aren’t going to hear everyone and not everyone is going to hear you. Most times, its easier to keep you sanity and assume they cant hear you and spin the dial
roger!
I heard 2 Pota stations calling on the same freq.
Nether heard the other one.
I just called out “whichever of you can hear me there are 2 pota stations here.”
And one politely left
That raises another question I’ve had—when I hear two stations calling on a freq, am I clear to QSL both?
I think it’s called doubling; is that right?
What if one is a net? Or a ragchew?
I’ve just avoided those and spun for another, but am I being dumb?
When I’m activating POTA, if a polite op calls me to let me log him and let me know a net is upcoming, I’ll change my freq for them. On the other hand, if someone is rude or attempts to overwhelm me with QRM, I’m inclined to carry on and not acknowledge them as if I can’t hear them.
I believe polite responses spread good will.
DE WZ3J
I would likely leave but i would take down his callsign and time,date, etc for maybe a FCC report?
IDK