General Class License Study

Overview

HF operating has its own culture, protocols, and procedures. Technicians are accustomed to FM repeater operation. HF is different — you will encounter SSB voice, CW, digital modes, DX pileups, and directed nets. Knowing the correct procedures makes you a more effective and courteous operator.

SSB Voice — Which Sideband?

Single sideband suppresses the carrier and one sideband, putting all transmitter power into the information-carrying sideband. The convention for which sideband to use:

• Upper Sideband (USB): 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 meters and above
• Lower Sideband (LSB): 40, 80, and 160 meters
• The dividing line is 14 MHz. At or above 14 MHz, use USB.

This is not a legal requirement but is the universal standard. Operating on the wrong sideband creates interference and confusion.

Calling CQ

Listen before transmitting. If the frequency is clear, a standard CQ call sounds like this:

"CQ CQ CQ, this is November Zero November Juliet Yankee, N0NJY, calling CQ and standing by."

Keep CQ calls short — three CQ repetitions followed by your callsign once or twice is the standard. Long CQ calls are considered poor operating practice on HF.

CW Operating — QSK

QSK (Full Break-In CW): The receiver opens between every dit and dah you send, allowing you to hear signals — or interference — during the gaps in your own transmission. If the other station is calling you, you hear it immediately without finishing your over. QSK is considered superior CW technique but causes more mechanical wear on older relays.

Semi Break-In: The receiver opens only between complete characters or words. Less wear on the rig but you may miss signals while transmitting.

Net Operations

A net is a scheduled on-air meeting of amateur stations for a specific purpose. Nets may be directed (run by a Net Control Station) or informal.

• The Net Control Station (NCS) manages the net, determines check-in order, and directs traffic flow.
• When checking in, wait for the NCS to call for check-ins, then transmit your callsign once clearly.
• Do not transmit without being recognized by the NCS unless you have emergency traffic.
• Emergency and priority traffic always supersedes routine net traffic. Announce it immediately.

DX Operating and Split Operation

DX means communicating with distant stations, typically in other countries. Popular DX stations often attract large pileups and operate split — they transmit on one frequency and listen on a different frequency or range.

• Do not call a DX station when it specifies a region you are not in ("EU only", "JA only")
• Never transmit on the DX station's transmit frequency — transmit on their listening frequency
• If the DX says "listening 5 to 10 up," transmit 5 to 10 kHz above their transmit frequency
• Listen to understand the pileup pattern before calling

Digital Modes

PSK31: Phase-shift keying at 31.25 baud. Only 31 Hz wide. Excellent for keyboard conversations in marginal conditions.

FT8: 8-tone FSK, 15-second transmit/receive cycles, 50 Hz wide. Decodes signals 20 dB below the noise floor. Has become the dominant weak-signal HF mode. Not conversational — exchanges are structured and brief (callsigns, signal report, grid square).

RTTY: FSK at 45.45 baud, 170 Hz tone shift, approximately 250 Hz wide. Oldest digital mode still in common use. Popular in HF contests.

Winlink / VARA: Email messaging over amateur radio. Used extensively in ARES/RACES emergency communications. Messages are stored and forwarded through a network of stations.

Emergency Communications

ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) is organized by the ARRL. RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) is organized with local and state civil defense agencies. Both serve disaster communications needs. In emergency operations:

• Use plain language, not amateur radio codes or abbreviations
• Be clear and concise — time and frequency are critical resources
• Follow the directions of the served agency and the emergency net control

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Practice Questions