VE6DOK · Radio Etiquette
Sound clear, courteous, and useful every time you press the PTT.
This page replaces the old radio-etiquette-on-air-conduct page with a clean canonical version under the radio section.
Good operating starts before you transmit
Radio etiquette is about keeping frequencies useful, respecting other operators, and making sure your message is understood.
Listen first
Understand who is using the frequency, whether a net is active, and whether the channel is clear.
Identify clearly
Use your callsign properly and speak at a pace that can be copied.
Keep it useful
Short, clear transmissions beat long, wandering explanations.
Repeater etiquette
- Pause before transmitting so linked repeaters and other stations can break in.
- Do not kerchunk repeaters just to hear the tail.
- Use plain language and avoid monopolizing the repeater.
- Move long conversations to simplex when practical.
HF etiquette
- Ask if the frequency is in use before calling CQ.
- Keep tuning carriers away from active frequencies.
- Use phonetics when copy is difficult.
- Respect nets, DX windows, weak-signal activity, and emergency traffic.
Net etiquette
During a directed net, Net Control manages the frequency. Check in when invited, answer directly, and stand by unless called again.
“VE6DOK, Gary, Lethbridge, no traffic.”
Emergency etiquette
In serious situations, calm accuracy matters. Report what you know, where it is, when it happened, and what is needed. Do not speculate or dramatize.