This group covers how to find a frequency, call other stations, and understand the standard frequencies and offsets used on VHF and UHF. These are habits and conventions more than legal rules, but they keep the bands orderly.
Simplex versus repeaters
Simplex means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency, taking turns. A repeater instead receives on one frequency (its input) and retransmits on another (its output). The gap between them is the repeater offset. Your radio transmits on the repeater’s input and listens on its output.
Simplex channels are designated in band plans so stations within range of each other can talk directly without tying up a repeater. The national FM simplex calling frequency on 2 meters is 146.520 MHz. You call there, then agree to move to another simplex frequency so the calling channel stays free. On 70 cm the FM calling frequency is 446.000 MHz.
Repeater offsets
Band
Common offset
2 meters
600 kHz (plus or minus)
70 centimeters
5 MHz (plus or minus)
Whether the input is above or below the output depends on where in the band the repeater sits. Most radios have an automatic offset setting for each frequency range.
Calling other stations
On a repeater, to reach a specific station: say their call sign, then yours (“W1ABC, this is K2XYZ”). No special words are needed.
On a repeater, to show you are available: give your call sign and say you are listening (“K2XYZ listening”). Long CQ calls are an HF habit.
Responding to a CQ: the called station’s call sign first, then yours.
Off a repeater, to find any contact: call “CQ” a few times, say “this is” and your call sign, then pause and listen. If nobody answers, repeat or change frequency.
CQ is a general call meaning any station may reply. It is not a quality report and does not mean only one station should answer.
Choosing a frequency
Before you transmit, listen first to make sure the frequency is not in use, and ask if it is in use. Nobody owns a frequency, and being there first does not give you a right to it. If two stations interfere, they should talk it over and agree on who continues or moves. Moving to a different frequency after a calling contact is called QSY, which is also the Q signal meaning you are changing frequency.
Band plans
A band plan is a voluntary guideline for where different modes and activities go within an amateur band, such as CW, digital, voice, repeaters, and simplex. It exists beyond the privileges set by the FCC. The FCC rules are the law; band plans are community agreements that help avoid interference between users of different modes. Follow them out of courtesy to others.
Key facts to memorize
2-meter repeater offset: plus or minus 600 kHz
70 cm repeater offset: plus or minus 5 MHz
2-meter FM simplex calling frequency: 146.520 MHz
70 cm FM simplex calling frequency: 446.000 MHz
Repeater offset is the difference between a repeater’s transmit and receive frequencies
Simplex: transmit and receive on the same frequency
Answering a CQ: their call sign, then yours
Band plans are voluntary; FCC privileges are mandatory
Memory hooks
2 meters has the small offset (600 kHz); 70 cm, with the bigger band, has the bigger offset (5 MHz).
“Simplex = Same frequency.”
Questions in this group (11): answers shown
T2A01
What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 2-meter band?
A. Plus or minus 5 MHz
B. Plus or minus 600 kHz ✓ Correct answer
C. Plus or minus 500 kHz
D. Plus or minus 1 MHz
On 2 meters the standard repeater split is 600 kHz, with the input either above or below the output depending on the part of the band. The 5 MHz split is the common one on 70 cm instead, and 500 kHz or 1 MHz are not standard 2-meter offsets.
T2A02
What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 2-meter band?
A. 146.520 MHz ✓ Correct answer
B. 145.000 MHz
C. 432.100 MHz
D. 446.000 MHz
146.520 MHz is the national simplex calling frequency on 2 meters, where you can announce yourself and then move to another simplex frequency. 446.000 MHz is the 70 cm FM calling frequency, and 145.000 MHz is not a calling frequency.
T2A03
What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 70-centimeter band?
A. Plus or minus 5 MHz ✓ Correct answer
B. Plus or minus 600 kHz
C. Plus or minus 500 kHz
D. Plus or minus 1 MHz
The common 70-centimeter repeater offset is 5 MHz, much wider than the 600 kHz used on 2 meters. The 70 cm band is wide enough to support that bigger spacing between a repeater's input and output.
T2A04
What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station's call sign?
A. Say "break, break," then the other station’s call sign, followed by your call sign
B. Say the station's call sign, then identify with your call sign ✓ Correct answer
C. Say "CQ" three times, then the other station's call sign, followed by your call sign
D. Wait for the station to call CQ, then answer with your call sign
On a repeater, say the other station's call sign and then your own, such as "W1ABC, this is K2XYZ." Break-break is reserved for urgent or emergency traffic, and CQ is a general call, not a way to reach a specific station.
T2A05
How should you respond to a station calling CQ?
A. Transmit "CQ" followed by the other station’s call sign
B. Transmit your call sign followed by the other station’s call sign
C. Transmit the other station’s call sign followed by your call sign ✓ Correct answer
D. Transmit a signal report followed by your call sign
When someone calls CQ, answer with their call sign first and then yours, so they know who you are answering. For example, "W1ABC, this is K2XYZ." Sending only your own call sign or a signal report does not clearly address the caller.
T2A06
What is an effective way to seek a call from any phone station when not using a repeater?
A. Sign your call sign once, followed by the words “listening for a call;” if there is no answer, change the frequency and repeat
B. Say “QTC,” followed by “this is” and your call sign; if there is no answer, change the frequency and repeat
C. Transmit an unmodulated carrier for approximately 10 seconds, followed by “this is” and your call sign, and pause to listen; repeat as necessary
D. Repeat “CQ” a few times, followed by “this is,” and your call sign, then pause to listen; repeat as necessary ✓ Correct answer
Off a repeater, call CQ a few times, say "this is" with your call sign, then pause and listen, repeating as needed. Signing once with "listening" suits a repeater, where everyone monitors one channel, but is easily missed elsewhere. QTC means you have messages to send, and an unmodulated carrier is not a call.
T2A07
What does the term "repeater offset" mean?
A. The difference between a repeater’s transmit and receive frequencies ✓ Correct answer
B. The repeater has a time delay to prevent interference
C. The approximately half-second delay to allow for the “squelch tail” to be removed
D. The fee charged by the repeater owner or club to provide for maintenance
Repeater offset is the difference between the frequency a repeater receives on (its input) and the one it transmits on (its output). Your radio transmits on the input and listens on the output, so the offset must be set correctly. It is not a delay or a fee.
T2A08
What is the meaning of the procedural signal “CQ”?
A. A shortened form of the term “Contest QSO”
B. “Communication Quality,” used to indicate transmitted audio clarity
C. Only the called station should transmit
D. Calling any station ✓ Correct answer
CQ is a general call meaning any station may answer. It is not a contest abbreviation, an audio-quality report, or an instruction that only a particular station should transmit.
T2A09
Which of the following is a customary way to indicate a station is listening on a repeater and looking for a contact?
A. “CQ CQ” followed by the repeater’s call sign
B. The station’s call sign followed by the word “listening” ✓ Correct answer
C. The repeater’s call sign followed by the station’s call sign
D. “QSY” followed by your call sign
On a repeater, the customary way to show you are listening for a contact is to give your call sign and say you are listening, like "K2XYZ listening." CQ is more of an HF custom, and QSY means changing frequency, not listening.
T2A10
What is a band plan, beyond the privileges established by the FCC?
A. A voluntary guideline for using different modes or activities within an amateur band ✓ Correct answer
B. A list of operating schedules
C. A list of available net frequencies
D. A plan devised by a club to indicate frequency band usage
A band plan is a voluntary guideline, developed by the amateur community, suggesting where modes and activities should operate within a band. FCC rules set the legal privileges; band plans only encourage orderly sharing within them.
T2A11
What term describes an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency?
A. Full duplex
B. Diplex
C. Simplex ✓ Correct answer
D. Multiplex
Simplex means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency, taking turns. Full duplex is transmitting and receiving at once, which needs different frequencies. Diplex and multiplex describe combining signals, not same-frequency operation.