I loved this wonderfully articulated and expressed information! I have spent the last two days in some sort of confusion due to a bodily infection. Echo chambers for dreams, and conversations will with “What did you say?” So, I have not turned to my beloved radios at this time because I know that I’ll run into a bunch of guys, all younger than I usually, unable to process anything repeated beyond a clean clear statement. I am writing this because you are hitting on a lot of issues we have all the time, what? do you need the time?, and I write comments sometimes but seldom for the reason I am writing this to you. In my foggy state it was so wonderful to hear your clarity. YOUR CLARITY! You’re a Mark Anthony of a Richard Burton of a Ham! In the states I was an English major in my youth, communications always the emphasis, and you delivered a little therapy to me okay Glenn N5MCH

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Glenn, I value your comments and I am truly glad I am bringing some enjoyment to your life friend.

This is great advise. What really kills me is when someone says "your 5 and 9" and then I have to repeat everything I say 4 or 5 times. 73 K4ECA

@skepticalmechanic

Жыл бұрын

Yep…

@weather_wizard67

Жыл бұрын

Drives me nuts too. Can't be 59 if asked to repeat.

@lazered35Oh

Жыл бұрын

They’re probably in a contest where the primary interest is the numbers of contacts, not a sincere interest in the accuracy of different perceived signal readability. I find a lot more interest in accurate signal reports during ragchews where they are specifically requested.

@user-by8nh5fj9l

2 ай бұрын

Oh my god!!!!😂😂😂😂 what is it with that????!!!! M0KJZ

Great video. I don't hear folks talking about topics like this. It's something that comes more naturally to some than others

These little "tip" videos are great for the old as well as the new hams. Advice you may have forgotten or just didn't get along the way. Thanks Callum!

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Great point!

This is hands down the absolute best bit of advice for a ham radio operator. Spot on, Cal !! It's annoying as hell if I am the one trying to get the callsign sorted out, when they keep giving the whole callsign instead of the letter(s) I am missing. If the shoe is on the other foot, and I have to repeat a letter or part of my callsign, I will do it twice with the appropriate phonetic name and a third time using the DX phonetic alphabet. Sometimes it's easier to pick Mexico Washington Denmark out of the noise than Mike Whiskey Delta.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

PERFECT!

This is amazingly true and I hear folks messing this up all the time. Just answer the other stations question. Keep it simple and Learn to LISTEN!

This is so completely obvious now that you explain it and as a new ham I totally do this. Thanks, this is great stuff.

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Studying for my ham here in the states, any and all advice like this is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks Callum!

Thanks for the practical advice. Not all of us have friends that we can learn good operating procedures from. I for one find these kinds of tips very useful. Thanks again.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I've been on the HF bands for just about 2 months and I'm so glad that I heard this, I've been not realizing what trouble I can be causing. Cheers!

@DXCommanderHQ

6 ай бұрын

HAHA!

Cal, the more I listen to you, the more I am hooked. You talk common sense and allow the hobbyist to improve. I started watching when I was looking for a good, affordable HF antenna, now I listen no matter the topic. Love the channel, love the material. Brilliant - KE2ALN from Brockport, NY. Hope to make contact someday. BTW, I’ll have a DXCommander order in very soon :). Spring’s coming!

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

Tim, so glad you think the same. Have a great day!!

If this information is obvious, then the video isn't for you. But it's great advice to those that need it. It's good RT procedure, especially in a known format construct such as amateur radio callsigns. Great work, Cal.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Well spotted!

Excellent video and a topic I’ve had to learn the hard way. I travel and operate frequently with a lot of added prefixes and suffixes. For instance I operate in Poland as SP/K4OGO. In hundreds of QSOs I’ve only had a couple get it the first time, rather frustrating but I understand it’s a mouthful. Great advice. 73, Walt K4OGO

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for putting this out in the universe! I've been baffled as to why some folk would repeat stuff that the calling station has already verified. Also...when there is a pileup I hear some of the big stations repeating their callsign like three times all over the top of one another...quite obnoxiously...but anyway...great videos, thank you! 73, KN4FTT

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

Totally!

Another pearl of wisdom Cal.

It isn’t just new licensees who struggle with this, another good one Cal

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Dave.

Useful advice, thanks! In a hobby based on communicating, I'm always staggered that people concentrate on the technical side and ignore effective, practical procedures.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yes! Nice to see you on the comments (again!) - don't let up. ALways geat to have you around!

@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE

2 жыл бұрын

@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks Callum, you are very kind, I did wonder if I was helping or hindering. I feel that if someone goes through the effort of making a video, the least I can do is thank and support them. Hopefully I will back on the air soon! Best 73.

I'm a new commer to radio but every one of your videos has pearls of wisdom and usable tips. Thanks again

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great tips, Callum. I think that practical advice on how to behave on the air is very important and necessary. You have found a great direction for interesting videos. Thanks for the content. I also learned a new word from this video - "Temptation" 😆

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Temptation! That's what you have Raisa! :)

Spot on. This has happened to me while doing a POTA activation. I ask "Last letter pls" then I got a complete call sign and I was out in left field.

Great advice. This also goes for non amateur radio conversations.

Fully agree! Another thing that might be helpful is if more hams would learn the difference between a prefix and a suffix. I listened to literally dozens of calls during the last big contest where a station would repeatedly ask for a repeat of the suffix, and the other station would respond by constantly repeating the prefix (or vice versa). People like this is why I don't use a voice activated headset...

iam only using CB radio in lack of licens, BUT i get alot of people who wants signal reports etc. This videos has helpt me alot last 6 months 👌🍺🥳

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Ah great!

Thanks Callum. Your content is so imformative and I subbed.

@DXCommanderHQ

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub!

This is very true and practical. I’m new to HF , I’ve only been an upgraded general class about 6 months , so if they’re having trouble hearing me , I just bail out and let someone have a go . I’m only running 100 watt radio and a dipole on 20/40 meters . So until I upgrade , I’m not gonna waste the air time for someone who has a much better setup . It doesn’t frustrate me , so I just sit back and listen and learn

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

Ah. OK. You know many folks are on 100W.. It can work :)

@randykitchleburger2780

11 ай бұрын

Raise your antenna. Seriously. 10ft makes a world of difference.

I have been using this method since the 1990s with absolutely no knowledge. It works.

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

Yes.. I think many of us do. Some didn't!

Greetings from Sweden! You,Sir, just got yourself a new subscriber.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Phil! Welcome my friend!

True. Both sides of the QSO should be using these skills. Ask for what you need, and provide what they are asking for. This makes the effort a tad easier during difficult conditions.

Amazing advice, I’m new to radio and this is excellent demonstration. I shall follow this ruling in future

@DXCommanderHQ

3 ай бұрын

Welcome aboard!

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if I have done this in the past but I will definitely be more aware of it for the future.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

I'm sure a clever guy like you Richard wouldn't fall for that!

It is funny because I run into the same thing with my on the phone customer service work from home job. It is really just understanding that a conversation is a back and forth flow and not a forced one way waterfall. Thank for this

@DXCommanderHQ

6 ай бұрын

Oh yes!

One exception, operators need to learn to repeat back what they hear to get quicker QSLs. Some contest operators say something catchy like "North America Radio" for a NAR suffix instead of "November Alpha Romeo". Then a roger roger QSL gets the suffix acknowledge done. I totally agree with you Cal. Information that is NOT necessary to repeat can quickly lead to a missed opportunity, especially in pile ups. 73 from Ontario Canada. Love your videos.

Thanks Callum, a Wonderful tips ..... Having been a Signaller in the Artillary ..... I Still have the habit of NOT Saying... " REPEAT " .... This in Artillary or Gunner/ Mortar terms means ' Repeat the last Salvo " .... :-) :-) :-) .... I Still use .... " SAY AGAIN " .... :-) :-) :-) Thanks for All your Great Vidclips.... So Informative and Great Entertainment ... Cheers from ChCh, NZ ZL3KEI

It is a lot different when somebodies life is on the line, When my team and I are at work, I ask for a repeat of my orders and vise versa . I ask everyone when using the radios, to be clear, not talk fast and to repeat message. As that tells me my message or vise versa was understood. As my team and I work on telecommunication / broadcast towers, which heights could be from 100 feet high to over 1200 feet in height. Now you have to include climbing around whilst working and hoisting up tools and equipment . And don't forget about the winds, which can sometimes make it very difficult for radio communications . So when it come to the teams communications, we will repeat until the message is understood ... I understand that this is a hobby for most, however I take radio communication very seriously. Great videos, and I do understand your frustration !

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

OK, saving a life is of course completely different to making a contact. A bit like when they read up the code to Apollo 13.. They had to repeat it all else they wouldn't have got home!

Such great advice. Keep exchanges simple for weak signal work and follow the standard QSO flow. Why does this content bother some people?

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

No idea.. Lots of content recently for newbies.. I'm having a newbie fortnight. You may have guessed!

Great video Callum you are absolutely right. Roger Roger Roger. I am nearly on the air. I have picked up a Ft817 also have a 10m DX commander just need to sort a battery and a antenna then boom. Motters M7TRS 73 👍🏻

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Right on! Sounds fab!

Love the advice and the purple nail! We need more nail polish in radio!

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

I have a face for radio! And hands!

Very clear Callum, got it. Thanks for this reminder. 73 😉

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

No worries!

This is great 👍🏻 I hear this all the time

Absolutely true and excellent advice

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Boom!

Great advice as always Cal. Thanks 73 Jim M7BXT

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

You bet!

Great information Callum. Nice Les Paul on the wall.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

I can't play it!

Great advice, can also apply to conversations with YF. TY! 73 (in trouble as usual)

I've definitely made this mistake before. Thanks for the good advice.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Any time!

Hi! New ham here. Your information is gold. Thank you for your videos. I have learned so much to jumpstart my entry into amateur radio. 73 KF8AUV

@DXCommanderHQ

3 ай бұрын

Welcome aboard!

Good point. In addition, how about those hams that are into speeding through their callsign? In the army we were taught to speak at a moderate speed enunciating as clearly as possible, not trying to sound like an auctioneer. Thank you for your very informative videos. Check-in with you every day.

@DXCommanderHQ

10 ай бұрын

And that!

This is brilliant advise.

Short and to the point!

Great video. As someone new to HF, this is great info about one of the MANY things I haven't learned/thought about. Thanks Callum! Michael-WA5AZQ

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Great advice Cal

My good mate Angus McYaesu from the Outer Hebrides holds that callsign and concurs with everything you've said but added that it isn't the conditions, the deep QSB or the frequent power cuts that cause the most problems but his strong Scottish brogue that most ops struggle with.

@williambarrett70

2 жыл бұрын

Another good one about the basics. Thanky, Cullum. 73. WW5MB.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Angus? Yes OK!

Love this...I was getting frustrated just listening to this.

Nailed it !!!!!! Thank you for saying this.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Great!

Excellent. A much needed lesson. Thanks! 73, AC5JS

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Absolutely right Callum, I tried telling this to people when I was doing a special event. I said "if I am right give me a ROGER!" Then they would not give me a roger and just repeat their call again leaving me unsure yet again even though in the end it turns out I had it all along! All they need to bloomin say is roger roger ROGER!!!

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Agh! Yes 👍

@jeepien

2 жыл бұрын

Well, no. Roger means you understood them, not that they understood you. The word you're looking for is CORRECT.

Roger Roger.... Good topic and great video!! Cheers.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

Great video on a very frustrating situation.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Tell me about it :)

Good advice Cal. I have dared to repeat once or twice after they have my callsign. By the time I have repeated again they are already QRZ again. Mark, 2E0MSR.

Tell you what pees me off you call a station on hf and the station comes back asking to repeat your callsign AGAIN AGAIN Yet gives you a 5/9 signal report.😂😂😂

YES! Listening is more important than transmitting. Also, the DX hunter should make sure the he/she has the complete call of the DX station. I remember an american expat in Belize, V31BB (SK), would be heard on 10m into North America daily; always a big signal! If he answered your call and you asked for his full call, he would say "no contact"! Why? He said his call at the beginning of every contact and CQ! I loved the way he handled his pileups!

@DXCommanderHQ

2 ай бұрын

Well said.

Who's on first!! 😆 Great advice. Thanks Callum!

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Boom!

What he said, What you think he said, What he thinks you heard him say, What you wanted him to say, what he actually said! I'm forever telling people "Negative" and repeating only the bit they got wrong

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

HAHA Paul!

Thx - going to practice with you on friday again 😎

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

You got this!

This is so correct, I'm often on the other side, big pileup/contest... stations calling over etc.. I give out the callsign I'm answering, so often I hear 59 and the callsign again... then my thinking is - why did he repeat the callsign ?? and one thing - when doing fast contesting , your brain is expecting something - so you are not really listening for the repeat of the callsign after the report - so you will need to call - please confirm etc.. so rate goes down - and often the pileup just is back on top and the caller missed any chance of repeat.

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

Yes!

sooooo, so funny, ur video, becuz I've laughed at this for so many yrs, probably for many decades; so mni tnx for addressing it, as we continue to hear this excess & unneeded verbage all too often! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 🤓

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

dit dit yes!! :)

Very good point!!! Thank you.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Calum, I love your purple nail varnish.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Awe thanks!

Excellent advice!! Sounds like you've experienced this before on both ends. De WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, that was me!

Hello MM7MWD here. My name isn’t Roger…. ;-) Well explained. Have a great weekend Cal

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you too!

An intelligent man

Good advice.

I did this yesterday lol. Will try to just give the partial in the future

Thanks for the tip

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Easy Joe :)

Another good one

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

to true, i all ways say YES THAT IS CORRECT, that way they get the yes or the correct of both yes and correct :D great advice dude, 73, mike.... charlie. tango......

Very good tip Callum! 73

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

Yes!! Preach to the masses!! - KO4DKI

nice explained. stating the why + an example brings the learning home nicely. you should teach, sir :) 🍏

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! 😃

Nice Les Paul by the way!

Wow, so true! It can really go downhill in a hurry! 🤣

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

Yes :)

That is good advice, I'd never thought of it in that way and I'll certainly take it on board 73's MM3KVV

Good advice

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Spot on!

Excelente criterio!! muchas gracias! (buenisima tu uña jjajaja)

Thanks for the tip, really useful info. PS this video will ensure that no one in Scotland will ever chose the call sign MM7MWD :)

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

HAHA yes!

spot on...

again again LOL Good video

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah!

Hey, you're that bloke with the antennas. 👌

@DXCommanderHQ

10 ай бұрын

Apparently!

Thanks for the vid! Is that a fender Mustang bass behind you on the wall?

@DXCommanderHQ

4 ай бұрын

Copy!

Gd bit of advice which i have done sins getting my hf radio. Also u seem to get a 5.9 back after all the back and forward.

So true hehe. I'm just doing my first QSO's now all excited about it with my 5w of power from a (tr)uSDX ... and to be honest ... when the other station gets me right... I'm actually scared to repeat the call not to mess the other guy thinking is not my call. I'm happy he got it right and yupiiiii put him in the log ))) 73

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

That's it!

@randykitchleburger2780

11 ай бұрын

Nice!

I agree with this

A wild game of hangman

i am the bloke that said i was a bit worried about speaking to strangers, you kindly said, dont worry. and then i saw this vid and became horrified again, both by the fact the interaction was so governed by nuance and ethics, and that i just realised i seem to be expected to memorise a massive list of q codes, or i'll appear daft.

@DXCommanderHQ

3 ай бұрын

AH.. Hello again.. There's a difference. You keep it short and sweet and people will completely understand. These are "advanced" topics that was probably annoying me on the day. NOBODY will think anything less of you.

As a recent M7 licence ( January 2022 ) I'm aware of giving your call sign often, Yet I find I'm being pushed down the path to repeat it on almost every over. Is it necessary to give your call sign then add returning when you actually haven't left .

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

No, you don't need to repeat it all the time UNLESS you feel you want to with a 59 copy and you are rag-chewing.

When I work really weak (like S0 basically not there) stations, and I say something to the effect of " if I have that correct give me your strongest yes yes yes". In my opinion it's poor operating on my part to not ask for exactly what I want and the way I want it. Especially from new operators that might not know better.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Erm. OK!

At one time US Hams could be cited by the FCC for giving less than a full callsign. This happened to my shop teacher who was licensed before there were country prefixes. He had been 9ABC (not his real call) and became W9ABC sometime in the middle 1920s when the country prefixes were added. In the 1950s when he was my mentor and teacher, he ID'd our school club station as 9JBL (vice W9JBL) and got a violation notice from one of the FCC monitoring stations.

@DXCommanderHQ

2 ай бұрын

Wow.. The old days!

Perfect!

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah Joe!

SWL from Norway, working on license I guess I could say something like "There's a discrepancy somewhere, repeat last two letters?" Then rectify it, like you said last two letters.. Mostly cuz older calls are LAXX and newer being LBnXX a-z for letters and 0-9..

@DXCommanderHQ

Жыл бұрын

Perfect!

THANK YOU SO MUCH . I AM AGREE🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🍀🍀🍀 73 de Peter. Germany

@DXCommanderHQ

2 жыл бұрын

OK Peter! Or is that James Bond :)