Section 7.2: HF Operation #

Technicians don’t get full HF privileges, but they do get a useful slice of the 10-meter band — enough to start exploring long-distance propagation when conditions are right. This section covers what’s available, the conventions HF operators follow, and how to make your first contact.

Technician HF Privileges #

As a Technician, you have voice privileges on a small slice of the 10-meter band (28.300 to 28.500 MHz), which allows for long-distance communication through skywave propagation when conditions are right. Think of this as your foot in the door to HF — it’s a whole different world compared to VHF/UHF!

But wait, there’s more! If you’re feeling adventurous, as a Technician, you can also use up to 200 watts for CW (Morse code) on the 15, 40, and 80-meter bands. So, while your voice privileges are limited, you still have plenty of opportunities to explore HF!

What Makes HF Special #

Here’s what makes HF special:

Long-Distance Communication: As we discussed in Section 3.4, HF waves can reflect off the ionosphere, letting you talk around the world. It’s like skipping stones on a pond, but with radio waves!
Varying Conditions: HF propagation changes with the time of day, season, and solar activity. One day you might chat with someone in Australia, the next day you might struggle to reach the next state.
Different Modes: While you’re mostly limited to voice as a Technician, you’ll hear all sorts of modes on HF — SSB (Single Sideband), CW, and various digital modes.

Key Information: CW is another name for a Morse code transmission.

The name comes from “Continuous Wave” — historically distinguishing a keyed unmodulated carrier from other emissions — but in practice CW just means Morse code. Though it might seem outdated to newcomers, CW remains popular on the HF bands due to its efficiency and ability to get through when voice signals can’t.

HF Operating Tips #

Now, let’s talk about actually using that 10-meter privilege:

Listen First: Always listen before transmitting. HF bands can be crowded, and you don’t want to interrupt ongoing conversations.
Sideband Selection: For voice on 10 meters and most HF bands above 10 MHz, you’ll use upper sideband (USB). However, on HF bands below 10 MHz (like 40, 80, and 160 meters), LSB (Lower Sideband) is the convention. Remember: “Ten and up, USB; below ten, LSB.” It’s like choosing the right lane on a highway — using the correct sideband ensures clear communication and follows ham radio etiquette.
Speak Clearly: HF can be noisy. Enunciate your words and use the standard phonetic alphabet for your callsign to ensure your transmission is received correctly.
Key Information: When voice messages contain unusual words, the standard technique to ensure they are received correctly is to spell the words using a standard phonetic alphabet.
Be Patient: HF contacts often involve more back-and-forth than VHF/UHF. Signal reports and location exchanges are common.
Watch for Openings: 10 meters can suddenly come alive when conditions are right. Keep an ear out for increased activity.

Calling CQ and Responding #

Calling CQ (seeking a contact) and responding to CQ calls are fundamental skills in HF operation. Here’s how to do it right:

Calling CQ:

Listen first to make sure the frequency is clear.
Transmit and ask if the frequency is in use — someone may have needed to step away for a moment causing a pause in an active QSO.
Announce something along the lines of “CQ CQ CQ, this is [your callsign]” (repeat 2-3 times).
End with “CQ and listening” or similar.

Example: “CQ CQ CQ, this is KA1ABC, Kilo Alpha One Alpha Bravo Charlie calling CQ and listening.”

Key Information: An effective way to seek a call from any phone station when not using a repeater is to repeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is” and your callsign, then pause to listen.

On HF you’re typically using just a few kilohertz out of hundreds available on the band, so it’s a good idea to make your CQ a little longer — that gives someone tuning across the band time to hear you and stop. Make sure to clearly indicate when you’re done, since SSB has no carrier to drop out — there’s no audible difference between transmitting silently and being finished.

Key Information: When responding to a station calling CQ, transmit the other station’s callsign followed by your own callsign.

Responding to a CQ:

Wait for the station to finish their CQ call.
Respond with the calling station’s callsign, followed by your own callsign.
Use standard phonetics for clarity.

Example: If W1XYZ calls CQ, you might respond: “W1XYZ, this is KA1ABC, Kilo Alpha One Alpha Bravo Charlie.”

Remember, if the bands seem “dead” it could be because conditions are bad — but it could also be that everyone else is also listening for someone else to call. Don’t be afraid to be the first person to make the call!

HF Quirks #

Some HF quirks to remember:

Fading: Signals can fade in and out as conditions change even over a brief time period. This is normal on HF, so don’t panic if a station suddenly disappears.
QRM and QRN: Ham lingo for interference from other stations and interference from atmospheric noise. You’ll hear a lot more of both on HF compared to VHF/UHF.

Even with limited HF privileges, you can start exploring this fascinating part of ham radio. Listen to the 10-meter band when you can — you might catch a “band opening” and make your first DX (long-distance) contact. Next up: using your radio in service of your community.