[FARC] You are off frequency! (information for new hams on HF)

[Joseph M. Durnal]

I was calling CQ yesterday on 80 meters and someone who responded said
that I was off frequency.  I guess he was a new ham or new to HF
because the person calling CQ can't be off frequency.  This made me
think about how new operators that may not be familiar with making
contacts on HF, so I thought I'd share some tips.

Calling CQ:
-You can call CQ on any clear frequency within your license class for
the mode you are using, it does not have to be an exact even number as
amateur radio operators are not restricted to channels (except for 60
meters).  There is nothing wrong with calling CQ on 3919.532  kHz,
many radios do not have that fine of frequency resolution.  Don't get
to close to the band edge to stay legal, and be aware of the band
plans, it might be legal to call CQ using phone around 14.230, but it
isn't being very considerate of folks who want to run SSTV.

-Before calling CQ, first query "Is this frequency in use? this is
K3ERM"  (or QRL? de K3ERM K).

-If the station responding sounds a little off frequency, don't adjust
your VFO, use the RIT (sometimes called clarifier) function on your
radio to tune it in for the proper sound.

Answering a CQ:
-Tune your VFO until the station calling sounds right.  And respond
with with the calling stations call followed by your own.  "K3ERM this
is NE3R" (or K3ERM de NE3R NE3R K).

-Once the QSO has been established, there should be no reason to
adjust the VFO unless the other station requests a frequency change
(they might hear interference that you don't).

My "Off Frequency" QSO from yesterday (from memory):

*BEGIN*
ME: CQ CQ MDC QSO Party this is K3ERM, Kilo 3 Echo Romeo Mike
KB: K3ERM de KB3XXX
ME: Please copy Club Station Frederick County Club Station Foxtrot Radio Delta
KB: You sound like you are off frequency
ME: I was calling CQ
KB: I have you now on 3919.532
ME: Oh, I figure I'm close enough to 3920 to be found, it is a good
thing the ham bands are not channelized.  Can I get your exchange for
the MDC QSO Party?
KB: Oh KB3XXX Standard PA
ME: Did you copy Frederick County Club Station?
KB: QSL
ME: Thanks for the QSO I'm going back to 40 meters now, look for me around 7230
KB: 73 KB3XXX
ME: 73 this is K3ERM clearing the frequency going to 40 meters Kilo 3
Echo Romeo Mike
*END*

I think the radio said 3919.8, I had moved it down a few hundred hertz
because I was hearing a station calling up around 3922.5 or so that I
was hearing when I had it tuned exactly to 3920.

My advice is not to worry so much about what your frequency display
says, but to tune in the signals by ear (or by waterfall if you are
using a digital mode).  If you are aware of the band edges and band
plans, you'll be fine.

73 de Joe NE3R