There have been repeated calls for defining specific frequencies which can be used for the following purposes:

• Calls e.g. to specific stations for skeds to be able to find each other
• Frequency to return to if communication is lost in QSY or QRM
• Frequency(ies) to monitor when otherwise engaged in the shack
• Frequency(ies) to announce CW NETs about to start
• Frequency for CW announcements in emergencies

The 20, 17, 15 and 12m frequencies include up to 500Hz downward from these frequencies.

Simple Rules

• CALLING ONLY: 10100.1, 14100.5-101.0, 18110.5-111.0, 21150.5-21151, 24930.5-931
• ALWAYS QSY off frequency after establishing a contact (see below for methods)
• NO MORE than 3 calls of maximum 3×3 length during any 5 minute clock period*
• SILENCE Period (SP) H:15-:18 and H:45-:48 only QRP 5W or less can make calls**

*Alternatively leave at least one minute pause after making a call before making another.

**QRP stations calling during the 3 minute Silence Periods MUST add /QRP to their callsigns, otherwise they’re likely to be reminded by other stations listening on frequency with “<AS> SP!”

The 12, 15, 17 and 20m QSX/Calling Frequencies are 0.5 to 1.0 kHz above the IBP beacons.

More info about QSX Clock and how to embed in your page

More Info About CW Calling Frequencies

Examples of correct use:

Example 1 – General CQ Call

CQ CQ CQ DE G1ABC G1ABC G1ABC K

Here G1ABC is listening on the calling frequency for replies. 

CQ CQ CQ DE G1ABC G1ABC QSY 21028 =

Here G1ABC has made a call and is already going to QSY to 21028 immediately, signaled by ending with “=” (DdddD) <BT> which in this context means “going there now”. Or: QSY 15M in which case no specific frequency is known, G1ABC will be listening/and or calling on the band.

Example 2 – Specific Call

R9XYZ R9XYZ R9XYZ DE G1ABC G1ABC G1ABC KN

Here, G1ABC is calling R9XYZ, maybe due to having lost QSO in QRM from sudden pileup, or maybe on a sked, or has QSY from a different band to see if conditions are better as the QSO was lost in QSB, and will wait on frequency for reply. No more than 3 calls during the 5 minutes.

These worldwide CW QSX (Listening) / Calling Frequencies (CF) were finally chosen due to a number of benefits outweighing disadvantages of other considered options, and do not include 80 or 40m which may develop their own national or regional calling frequencies.

• These frequencies are never in use for existing QSO so can be used for calling without QRL?
• Any SSB on these frequencies is misplaced as it would be causing QRM to the IBP Beacons
• Typically ANT are tuned for resonance around these frequencies so signals will be optimum
• When listening in wide CW filer (CW-L) at the same time IBP Beacons can be monitored

Established Tradition

“No more than three 3X3 calls within any five minute period and QSY upon establishing contact.”

This is because many stations will be listening to this frequency, sometimes using a narrow filter with the squelch up, and repeated calls from the same station continuously will be annoying. It was also a rule on 500kHz, if anyone has the details of that, please leave a comment.

Alternatively, pause for at least one full minute after ending a call before commencing another.

On establishing contact stations should agree on a QSY frequency.

Suggested QSY are either “UP” (if the kHz above are free of any signals including SSB or digital and checked with QRL?) or preferably to the “TOP5 Friendship Area” of the relevant band.

It is completely acceptable to call over the top of other callers on the QSX/CF, however, ideally shifting the frequency at least 100-200Hz so that multiple calls may be heard at the same time: the calling frequency itself is 500Hz wide below the nominal frequency 14100, 18111, 21151, 24931, except for 10100.1 which is a spot frequency close to the lower band edge of 30m.

If stations do NOT QSY and conduct a QSO on the CF, it is also completely acceptable and in fact recommended to send “QRT” or “QSY” to urge them to move off the Calling Frequency.

Note that these procedures and practices are all WELL ESTABLISHED in the history of CW with the prime example being the world wide 500kHz Calling and Distress Frequency.

What Time?

Any time 24/7/365, however, the first 3 minutes at the top and bottom of the hour (H+00-03 and H+30-33) are focus points (green periods as per the Radio Officers’ Clock) and are especially recommended. On 30m you may also also make use of the daily roaming “QTT Hour” on 30m and there are also fun “CW Bash” and “Chinese Whispers” activities that use all of the above mentioned QSX/Calling Frequencies for rendez-vous.

Example Use Cases

Example 1: Two stations wish to set up a (loose) sked (scheduled on-air meet up for QSO) without the usual risks of missing the exact time, agreed frequency being already in use, QRM. The QSX frequencies make this arrangement so much easier and with far greater likelihood of success, all that needs to be agreed is to meet on QSX 30m (or other) around an agreed time.

Example 2: An operator is busy in his shack and would like to listen to some frequency. Rather than picking a random frequency or QSO, they may want to monitor a QSX frequency so as to get an idea of propagation, be ready to respond to calls, or for entertainment knowing many others are doing the same and that calls are always short with stations moving off for QSO.

Example 3: Two stations were in QSO and had their QSO disrupted by severe QRM, the appearance of a sudden pile up, or decided to QSY and lost each other upon QSY and are not sure which of the previous frequencies to return to. In all cases of getting lost, they can go to the QSX Frequency on that band and make a call and listen there.

Example 4: An operator has tuned around the band, found no CQ calls to reply to, made calls without result, or the band appears empty. A CQ call (maximum 3 calls each no longer than 3X3 within any 5 minute period) on a QSX Frequency with QSY upon establishing contact, may result in more QSO.

Example 5: A CW Net is about to start in 5 minutes, or an emergency message is on hand, or a CW NET has QTC for one or more stations. In all these cases an announcement of the CW NET frequency to QSY to, made on the QSX Frequency, will allow CW NETS to be far more effective in their reach.

Example 6: You may announce your commencement of “listening watch” on a QSX frequency by giving your callsign followed by “QTX”. 

Example 7: You may announce your intention to listen or call CQ on the lower part of the band with a CQ call on the Calling Frequency followed by “QSY (frequency or general band)”

Tips for QSX and Calling

Be a model QSX/Calling Frequency user: look at your clock and within any 5 minute segment make no more than three calls with each call whether CQ or to a specific station, being no longer than a 3X3. Rigidly adhere to this restriction.

Be a model QSX/Calling Frequency user: upon establishing contact either QSY to a specific frequency which you may have checked prior to calling on the QSX is free via “QRL?” or drift at least 500Hz up with a “QSY UP”.

Listen on any of the “QSX” / Calling Frequencies when you are loosely available for a QSO but otherwise occupied. You can switch in a narrow CW filter and/or squelch the background noise and turn the volume up if you are within ear shot of the radio.

You could even program the QSX/CF frequencies into memories or the other VFO,  to be able to easily recall them, and/or use more than one RX to monitor for calls.

Notes

To consolidate the QSX initiative and make it a success we require a number of volunteers in each region who are committed to making exemplary use of QSX. Please contact “admins at no5nn dot org” with your details and/or join the Email Discussion Lists or the QTT anonymous reflector.