Ham Radio Glossary: 50 Terms Every Beginner Should Know
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Stop Feeling Lost in Conversations
Ham operators speak their own language. QSO, CQ, 73, simplex, repeater, offset — it is overwhelming on day one. Here are the 50 terms you actually need to know.
A-F
Term
Meaning
APRS
Automatic Packet Reporting System — GPS position reporting via radio
Band
A range of frequencies (2m, 70cm, etc.)
CHIRP
Free programming software for ham radios
CTCSS
Sub-audible tone for repeater access
CQ
Calling any station — "Is anyone out there?"
CW
Continuous Wave — Morse code
DMR
Digital Mobile Radio — digital voice mode
DTMF
Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency — keypad tones for repeater control
DX
Long-distance contact
Elmer
An experienced ham who mentors newcomers
N-S
Net
Organized on-air meeting
Offset
Frequency difference between TX and RX on repeaters
QSO
A conversation between two stations
QTH
Location — "My QTH is New York"
Repeater
A relay station that extends your range
Simplex
Direct radio-to-radio communication, no repeater
Squelch
Filters out background noise when no signal is present
Numbers
73
Best regards — the universal sign-off
88
Love and kisses — used occasionally, mostly archaic