The Basic lessons · Operating and procedures · B-002-003

Making Contact: Voice Procedures and Simplex

Learn the standard phrases for calling and answering on voice, and understand when to use direct simplex links versus repeaters. This lesson explains the logic behind frequency choices and sideband rules so you can operate clearly and politely.

This lesson is part of SignalPrep Pro. The subsection's 11 exam questions are free to practise: practise B-002-003.

What this subsection asks

• What is the correct way to call "CQ" when using voice?
• How should you answer a voice CQ call?
• What is simplex operation?
• When should you consider using simplex operation instead of a repeater?
• Why should local communications use VHF and UHF frequencies instead of HF frequencies?
• Why should you be careful in choosing a simplex frequency when operating VHF or UHF?
• If you are talking to a station using a repeater, how would you find out if you could communicate using simplex instead?
• If you are operating simplex on a repeater frequency, why would it be good practice to change to another frequency?
• Which sideband is commonly used for 20-metre voice operation?
• Which sideband is commonly used on 3755 kHz for voice operation?
• When calling a specific station on voice, what is the preferred format for your transmission?