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

+ Within Region 1 and 2, best practice is to use 100 to 400 Hz above the 20/17/15/12m spot calling frequencies unless you are sure of your frequency to be outside IBP guard band.

Simple Rules

• CALLING ONLY: 10100.1*, 14101+, 18111+, 21151+, 24931+
• 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**

*30m: Under experimentation: as close to band edge 10100 as possible, below DDK9.

In Region 1 and 2 you must not use below 14101, 18111, 21151 or 24931 to avoid QRM to IBP
In Region 3 you must not use more than 0.5kHz below these frequencies to avoid QRM to IBP

**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!”

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 QSS 67R5 K

Here G1ABC is listening on the calling frequency for replies, but has given the “working frequency” he will QSY to (having already checked it is not busy), here e.g. (21)067.5

CQ CQ CQ DE G1ABC G1ABC QSY UP 2 =

Here G1ABC has made a call and is already going to go up 2 (or he might give QSY 14068 etc) and the <BT> signal is the CW Prosign also used to denote that you are immediately QSY

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.

*Note: These worldwide 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

Recommendations

• It is a good idea to first find a clear frequency that you can QSY
• It is recommended to QSY to frequencies within the TOP5 ranges
• Use “QSS” followed by last 2 digits of QSY frequency, or
• Use QSY followed by the full or last 3 digits of QSY frequency 
• In CW the decimal point can be abbreviated as R, e.g. QSS 67R5

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.

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: the calling frequency itself is 1kHz wide from 500Hz below (Region 3 only) to 500Hz above the CF, so that multiple calls may be heard at the same time.

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, you can also make use of the daily roaming “QTT Hour” and there are also fun “CW Bash” activities.

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, will 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.

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.

*Note: These worldwide QSX / 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.