All about amateur radio Regulations and Operating practices This relates to Section 23 and 24 of the NZART Radio Syllabus and may be used to teach this section of the exam.

1. We are part of the world regulation of all
things Broadcasting, Communications,
Television and Radio. The regulating
body is the ITU, the International
Telecommunications Union
23 – Radio Regulation In New23 – Radio Regulation In New
ZealandZealand

3.  Frequency BandFrequency Band
 1800-1950 kHz1800-1950 kHz
 3.50-3.90 MHz3.50-3.90 MHz
 7.00-7.30 MHz7.00-7.30 MHz
 14.00-14.350 MHz14.00-14.350 MHz
 21.00-21.45MHz21.00-21.45MHz
 28.00-29.70 MHz28.00-29.70 MHz
 50.00-54.00 MHz50.00-54.00 MHz
 144.0-148.0 MHz144.0-148.0 MHz
 430-440 MHz430-440 MHz
 Metre BandMetre Band
 160 metres160 metres
 80 metres80 metres
 40 metres40 metres
 20 metres20 metres
 15 metres15 metres
 10 metres10 metres
 6 metres6 metres
 2 metres2 metres
 70 centimetres70 centimetres
The ZL Amateur Radio BandsThe ZL Amateur Radio Bands

4. • Signal Reporting
• Q-Codes
• Phonetic Alphabet
• Abbreviations
• Split Frequencies
• Repeaters
• Having a QSO
Operating PracticesOperating Practices

5. Golden Rules of Operating
LISTEN: Reason: You won't interfere with anyone already using the frequency.
Reason: Listening will tell you a great deal about the condition of the bands.
KEEP IT SHORT:
If we all listened and never called, the bands would be very quiet indeed.
After listening, you have not made a contact, call CQ.
THE RULES FOR CALLING CQ ARE:
1. Use your callsign frequently. Whoever you are calling knows their own callsign. They
are interested in finding out yours.
2. Keep it short. Either they have heard you or they haven't. Either way, it is a waste of
time giving a long call. If they are having difficulty in hearing you, use phonetics, but
keep the overs as short as possible.

6. How to make a CQ CALL on HF
 For voice operation you should repeat your call
phonetically, for example:
 “CQ CQ CQ from (or)
ZL2XY - ZULU LIMA TWO XRAY YANKEE”
 maybe 2 or 3 times and finish with “Calling CQ
and listening”.
And then Listen, Listen and LISTEN!!!
**If nothing happens – Call CQ again

7. Good God – Somebody just
called me ……….. HELP!!!!!
Don’t Panic! In a clear slow voice :
“ZL1ABC” this is ZL2XY….. “Good evening your
signal report is 5 and 9 into Napier and my
name is {YOUR NAME}
“How’s the copy? ZL1 Alpha Bravo Charlie from
ZL2XY Over”
TWO RULES:
1. The other station’s call first and yours last
2. “Over” and not “Back to You”

8. Signal Reporting
How Honest should you be? 
Readability 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 (5 is max)
Strength 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 7 – 8 – 9 (9 is max)
Tone 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 7 – 8 – 9 (9 is max)
The first 2 numbers are used on phone modes and
the 3rd
number is used on CW
SSB CW
5 and 9 or 599 is a really strong signal
5 and 7 or 579 is a good signal with some QRN
5 and 5 or 559 is pretty average
4 and 4 is below average
3 and 3 (You are struggling)
2 and 3 (You are heavily into ESP)

9. Q Codes
• These abbreviated three letter “Q” Codes were evolved by old-time telegraphy operators
as a shorthand means for exchanging information.
• You will be tested on only 10 of the 40 or so Q Code messages that are used in amateur
radio communication. Pay attention to the 10 below!!!
• All Q codes may be used while operating CW and some are used during phone
transmissions.
QRL? QRM
QRN QRP?
QRQ QRS
QRZ? QSB
QSY? QTH?

10. Q Codes
• These abbreviated three letter “Q” Codes were evolved by old-time telegraphy
operators as a shorthand means for exchanging information.
• You will be tested on only 10 of the 40 or so Q Code messages that are used in
amateur radio communication. Pay attention to the 10 below!!!
• All Q codes may be used while operating CW and some are used during phone
transmissions.
QRL? “Are you Busy” or “Is the Frequency in Use?” QRM “Your transmission is being interfered
with”
QRN “I am troubled by static” QRP ? “Shall I decrease transmitter
power?”
QRQ “Please send faster” QRS “Please send slower”
QRZ? “Who is calling me?” QSB “your signals are
fading”
QSY? “Shall I change to another frequency?” QTH? “What is your location?”

11. QUESTION FILE 25 (1 question)
Q CODES
You will be tested on 10 of the 40 or so Q Code messages that are used in amateur radio.
Many are used as a query if followed by a question mark, e.g. QRM? QTH? or as an answer to a
query or as a statement of fact with no question mark; QTH Auckland or QTH San Francisco
All Q codes may be used while operating CW and some are used during phone transmissions.
QRL? Means “Are you busy” [25.6] Commonly means “is the frequency in use?”
QRM Means “Your transmission is being interfered with” [25.1]
QRN Means “I am troubled by static” [25.2]
QRP? Means “Shall I decrease transmitter power?” [25.7]
Without the query means “I am running low power”
QRQ Means “Please send faster” [25.10]
QRS Means “Please send slower” [25.3]
With a query could mean “shall I (or we) send slower?”
QRZ? Means “Who is calling me?” [25.4]
Commonly means “who is on this frequency?” if you were unable to copy a callsign
QSB As part of a signal report means “your signals are fading” [25.8]
QSY? Means “Shall I change to transmission on another frequency?” [25.9]
Without the query means “I am going to change frequency/up 5 (kHZ)/ to 28.459 etc.”
QTH? Means “What is your location?” [25.5]
Without the query “QTH Melbourne” means “my location is Melbourne”

12. The Phonetic Alphabet
A ALPHA J JULIET S SIERRA
B BRAVO K KILO T TANGO
C CHARLIE L LIMA U UNIFORM
D DELTA M MIKE V VICTOR
E ECHO N NOVEMBER W WHISKY
F FOXTROT O OSCAR X X-RAY
G GOLF P PAPA Y YANKEE
H HOTEL Q QUEBEC Z ZULU
I INDIA R ROMEO
These phonetics are often spoken evenly when communication is
good, sometimes with heavy emphasis when receiving conditions are
poor. A natural, unforced, speaking voice is best, but try to make
each word clear to the last syllable.

13. QSLing – Confirming the Contact
It is a nice gesture to send a card and
sometimes very necessary as many
awards require written proof of the
QSO.
John sent me this card on the left
I returned my card (on the right) A
QSL card must have DATE – TIME –
BAND – MODE – REPORT and THE
COUNTRY or ISLAND to be legal for
awards. You should also state your
address, equipment, zones, grid
square etc to tell the other station
about you.