CQ (call)
CQ is a station code used by wireless operators derived from long established telegraphic practice on undersea cables and landlines, particularly used by those communicating in Morse code, ( ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ), but also by voice operators, to make a general call (called a CQ call). Transmitting the letters CQ on a particular radio frequency means that the transmission is a broadcast or "General Call" to anyone listening, and when the operator sends "K" or says "Go Ahead" it is an invitation for any licensed radio station listening on that frequency to respond. Its use on radio matched the existing use on Morse landline telegraphy and dates from the earliest wireless stations. It was widely used in point-to-point diplomatic and press services, maritime, aviation, and police services until those services eliminated Morse radiotelegraphy. It is still widely used in amateur radio which still has active use of Morse radiotelegraphy.[1]
History and usage
The CQ station code was originally used by land line and undersea cable telegraphy operators in the United Kingdom.[2] An early land line reference to CQ is contained in Electrical Tables and Formulæ: For Use of Telegraph Inspectors and Operators (1871), which lists "The call for 'all stations' (C Q)...".[3] Additionally, in 1884 the telegraphic station code "CQ" was mentioned in The Practical Telegraphist (1884), which lists "CQ all stations";[4] and The Telegraphist (August 1884).[5]
A variant of the CQ call,
In
In the use of single-sideband (SSB) voice or CW mode (morse code telegraphy), an amateur radio operator often makes a general call by transmitting CQ repeatedly (such as CQ CQ CQ) so that other operators scanning for such calls are aided by the familiar rhythmic sound in quickly discriminating distant (weak signal) general callers from other traffic and spurious emissions. This technique allows the other operators to zero-in as close to the caller's center frequency using the human ear to fine-tune their transceiver before engaging the caller in a two-way communication.[1][8]
The use of a CQ call is almost always used in single-sideband (SSB) voice or CW mode (morse code telegraphy). Unlike
The code "dah dit dah dit, dah dah dit dah" (the vocalization of ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ) was used as part of the chorus to the song "Communications" by Slim Gaillard.
See also
- CQ Amateur Radio, English-language magazine
- CQ ham radio, Japanese-language magazine
- Q codes
- Universal Postal Union
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8306-4673-9.
Including latest FCC rules
- ^ de Groot, Edward. "R.M.S Titanic = MGY & other radio arcana". oceanliner.org. Ocean Liner Museum. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Clark, Latimer & Robert Sabine (1871). "Rules for Signalling". Electrical Tables and Formulæ: For Use of Telegraph Inspectors and Operators. London, UK: E. & F.N. Spon. p. 243. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Lynd, William (1884). "Alphabetical index to the official codes". The Practical Telegraphist and Guide to the Telegraph Service. London, UK: Wyman & Sons. p. 15. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Lynd, William, ed. (1 August 1884). "Ocean telegraphy: Introduction". The Telegraphist: A monthly journal of popular electrical science. Vol. 1, no. 9. p. 110. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Baarslag, Karl (1948). Famous Sea Rescues. Grosset & Dunlap.
Formerly titled: SOS to the Rescue
- ISBN 978-1-4381-3012-5.
- ISBN 978-1-872309-80-4.
General references
- Straw, R Dean, ed. (October 2005). The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2006 (83rd ed.). Newington, CT: American Radio Relay League. OCLC 62026192.
- Bergquist, Carl J (2001-05-01). Ham Radio Operator's Guide (2nd ed.). Indianapolis: Prompt Publications. OCLC 47051066.
- Dennison, Mike; Chris Lorek, eds. (June 2005). Radio Communication Handbook (8th ed.). Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, England: Radio Society of Great Britain. OCLC 123027893.
- Commercial Traffic Regulations, 1915. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC: United States Naval Radio Service.