HamSphere works exactly as a real shortwave band and it is important to know the rules: Fast info for Non-Hams. Q-Codes: QRL Is this frequency busy? Used almost exclusively with Morse code QRM Man-made interference There's another QSO up 2 kHz that's causing you a lot of QRM QRN Static crashes The band is noisy today; I'm hearing a lot of QRN QRO Increase transmitting power I need to QRO when propagation is poor. QRP Low(er your) transmitting power I'm using a QRP transmitter here, running only 3 watts QRS Send your Morse code more slowly Please QRS, I'm new to Morse code QRT Stop sending I've enjoyed talking to you, but I have to QRT for dinner now QRV Ready to receive Will you be QRV in the upcoming contest? QRX Hang on a minute, I'll be right back Please QRX one QRZ Who is calling me? QRZ? I hear someone calling, but you're very weak QSB Fading of signal I'm hearing a lot of QSB on your signal QSL Acknowledge receipt I QSL your last transmission QSO A conversation with another ham Thanks very much for the QSO QSY Change frequency Let's QSY up 5 kilohertz QTH Location My QTH is Ystad, Sweden QTR Exact time QTR is 2000 Z ITU Phonetic: A - Alpha B - Bravo C - Charlie D - Delta E - Echo F - Foxtrot G - Golf H - Hotel I - India J - Juliet K - Kilo L - Lima M - Mike N - November O - Oscar P - Papa Q - Quebec R - Romeo S - Sierra T - Tango U - Uniform V - Victor W - Whiskey X - X-Ray Y - Yankee Z - Zulu CQ Practice: 1. Begin by setting the calling frequency such as 7.055. 2. Assuming your callsign is: ABC123. Now call "CQ CQ CQ. This is Alfa Bravo Charlie One Two Three calling CQ CQ CQ. Alfa Bravo Charlie one two thre, ABC123 calling CQ and waiting for any call." Now you listen for the return call. 3. You hear "Alfa Bravo Charlie One Two Three this is Delta Echo Foxtrot four five six, DEF456 calling." 4. You respond by saying "DEF456 (using phonetics is best) this is ABC123. Thanks for the call your signal is 59. My name is Adam and my QTH is Ontario. So how do you copy? DEF456 this is ABC123 over." You have made your first contact on HamSphere. At this point you can make the contact as long or short as you like depending on the band conditions. And what you find to discuss with your new friend. RST Reports Amateurs use the RST system for reporting signal strength and readability. Readability 1--Unreadable 2--Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable. 3--Readable with considerable difficulty. 4--Readable with practically no difficulty. 5--Perfectly readable. Signal Strength 1--Faint signals, barely perceptible. 2--Very weak signals. 3--Weak signals. 4--Fair signals. 5--Fairly good signals. 6--Good signals. 7--Moderately strong signals. 8--Strong signals. 9--Extremely strong signals. 5. You end an HF contact by giving both call signs and signing off. For example: "... thanks Luis for the contact and 73 to you and your family. DEF456 this is ABC123 signing off and clear." What do you do if more than one station responds to your call? If you hear one call clearly then simply respond to that station as discussed above. If you hear only parts of call signs, maybe "Alpha November" then in step 4 begin by saying "the station with Alpha November, make your call." Once you have heard the complete call sign you can proceed as in step 4. The true Ham Radio spirit * Always be polite regardless of the circumstances. If not, avoid transmitting. * Set a good example especially for short wave listeners who may be thinking about becoming a ham. * Be a good listener. It will help you better organize your thoughts before transmitting. * Reply to a CQ, or call CQ yourself. It helps keep alive the magic of ham radio. * Speak clearly and slowly, especially when giving your call sign to someone you have never worked before. * Promote friendship and goodwill to DX contacts. Look for ways to get to know each other rather than simply exchanging signal reports and 73s! * Try to keep track of everyone in the QSO. Hopefully someone has assumed the role of "traffic director" to make sure everyone has a chance to contribute to the discussion. If not, don't hesitate to do it yourself. * Make it clear at the end of each transmission which station is expected to transmit next. * Operate on frequencies that are in whole KHz (e.g. 7.065 Khz). This alleviates ambiguity and makes it easier for everyone to be on the same frequency. * Do not transmit before first determining that the frequency is clear. * Try to keep a separation of at least 3 kHz. * Please refrain from breaking into an ongoing QSO unless you can hear the majority of the participants.