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

[M and J Gillespie]

Hi!

The matter of being off frequency is interesting. The rhetorical question is 
just what is off frequency?  My twin brother, my first cousin, and I get 
together once a week on 40 CW for a chat.  The frequency has been selected 
as "about" a certain spot depending on QRM.  One of us will call the other 
two and the will tune in.  It is rare, indeed, that we all three get on the 
same frequency. It appears when one of us hears the otther caller, we will 
tune in, selecting the frequency where the zero beat is most comfortable for 
our individual ears. Usually we have to all try to zero  in on each other or 
close to each other or we use the RIT to tune in the one who is off 
frequency when he transmits.  My brother uses a bandpass of 200 Hz while I 
usually use 400 or 600 Hz for listening. With 200 Hz you gotta be rignt on, 
Brother!

I, too, remember the times when folks had tube type VFOs and they would 
drift. I even remember once when I was susing a Heathkit VF-1 vfo being 
scolded by some ham who said he could not copy me on his "mullti-million 
dollar  high tech" rig because of my drifitng. I just turned off my rig and 
did something else, leaving him to continue complaining.  I guess we get all 
kinds of fellows in this hobby!
Oh well, it's just for the fun of it anyway.  Isn't it?

Have fun!

73s de

Jim Gillespie, K3DQ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joseph M. Durnal" <joseph.durnal at gmail.com>
To: "Frederick, Maryland ARC" <farc at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: "MADXRA's Friends&Members" <madxra at madxra.org>
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 3:07 PM
Subject: [FARC] You are off frequency! (information for new hams on HF)


>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
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