I'm going to throw out something for discussion....
If you want to initiate a contact on a repeater for a QSO or a radio check, whatever.... hit the PTT, pause for 2-3 seconds, give your call, what you want, and then state what frequency or repeater you are on (or talkgroup/reflector/etc if digital).
I usually have my 2m/440 radios scanning all the local/regional repeaters and a couple of common simplex frequencies. My DMR is scanning a couple of repeaters and a dozen talkgroups.
It's become a bit of a pet peeve when all I hear is the last letter of a call sign because you don't give scanning radios time to lock onto your carrier, and then say something like "on frequency" or "can I get a radio check?"
Well, no. Sorry, I can't give you a signal report... By the time I look at my radio, especially if I'm driving or standing in the other room, etc, my radio is scanning again and I have NO idea what frequency you are on. Oh, you're "on frequency?" great... what frequency? Guess I'll just start with memory location #1 calling "station ending in 'YZ,' are you on THIS frequency?"
It easy to start with: "[long pause] This is [call sign], I'm looking for a signal report on the 146.88 repeater, please." Cool, then I can take my radio out of scan, turn to that frequency, and answer.
Seems lately I've heard a LOT of un-answered call outs and I suspect this is a big reason why.
rant over.
-rvb
If you want to initiate a contact on a repeater for a QSO or a radio check, whatever.... hit the PTT, pause for 2-3 seconds, give your call, what you want, and then state what frequency or repeater you are on (or talkgroup/reflector/etc if digital).
I usually have my 2m/440 radios scanning all the local/regional repeaters and a couple of common simplex frequencies. My DMR is scanning a couple of repeaters and a dozen talkgroups.
It's become a bit of a pet peeve when all I hear is the last letter of a call sign because you don't give scanning radios time to lock onto your carrier, and then say something like "on frequency" or "can I get a radio check?"
Well, no. Sorry, I can't give you a signal report... By the time I look at my radio, especially if I'm driving or standing in the other room, etc, my radio is scanning again and I have NO idea what frequency you are on. Oh, you're "on frequency?" great... what frequency? Guess I'll just start with memory location #1 calling "station ending in 'YZ,' are you on THIS frequency?"
It easy to start with: "[long pause] This is [call sign], I'm looking for a signal report on the 146.88 repeater, please." Cool, then I can take my radio out of scan, turn to that frequency, and answer.
Seems lately I've heard a LOT of un-answered call outs and I suspect this is a big reason why.
rant over.
-rvb
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