use of 146.520 MHz FM simplex calling frequency ?

[AG6JU]

I am wondering, how should I use 146.520 MHz FM simplex calling frequency ? do I need to use like Marine VHF CH16 ? which is 146.520 MHz should be used briefly to establish communication, or calling other station, once communication is established, need to move off to other simplex frequency ? is there any rule or tradition on usage ?

[KB4QAA]

Yes, that is the definition of a calling frequency.

That said, if you live in the boondocks and the frequency is never used, it's not unheard of to just stay on the frequency and have at your QSO.

[K0RGR]

There are different philosophies. One argument for not ragchewing on the calling frequency is that if people ragchew there, nobody will monitor it, which may well be part of the problem.

We have some people here who ragchew there on occasion, and I hear some from the middle of Wisconsin fairly often, too. The funniest thing is that people will make contact on the local repeater and move off that to .52. The most active simplex users around here use to be on 146.58, but I haven't heard much there recently.

146.52 is not a lost cause. I do hear people using it when I travel, more often that you'd expect, and sometimes out in the midst of noplace, too. It's always in my scan list.

[KB9LXP]

Last summer I worked a guy in Illinois on a fluke e-skip or something. He held 52 making long distance contacts, keeping them short and on to the next guy. Sounds like he was having fun, and because many monitor 52, was able to work em.
I say....If your working a pile up on 52......keep going until your done!!!
Mike

[KD8FYI]

Channel 16 is different from .52, it's also monitored as an emergency channel so you make your contact and move quickly to another chanel. I think channel 9 is a more relaxed calling channel. .52 is calling channel but not usually too busy, go ahead and make short friendly qso's. This might help drum up more activity. If you need to make longer more serious or regularly scheduled qso's go ahead and move to a different frequency. At least that's my phylosophy.

73,
Ed

[K9STH]

My opinion on any "calling frequency" is to go ahead and have a QSO on the frequency. Especially on the SSB "calling frequencies", this can be an indication that the band is actually open. However, do not make "long winded" transmissions and leave plenty of time before the next station transmits to allow other stations a chance to "break in".

Glen, K9STH

[WA4OTD]

I figure calling frequency ends up in QSO, so all is good. Generally given the usage of 52 there isn't a problem.

[N9DSJ]

It is like any other "calling frequency"; use it but be aware that it *is* a calling frequency and leave a lot of time between transmissions in case others want to use it. If you foresee a long winded ragchew ahead, best to move off. Like most I like to see some calling frequency activity as often many listen without transmitting and hard to see openings but if there is an opening, hogging the calling frequency is not desirable.

73,

Bill N9DSJ

[KA9JLM]

I am wondering, how should I use 146.520 MHz FM simplex calling frequency ? do I need to use like Marine VHF CH16 ? which is 146.520 MHz should be used briefly to establish communication, or calling other station, once communication is established, need to move off to other simplex frequency ? is there any rule or tradition on usage ?

I would say if the Frequency is not in use then you can use it freely.

If it is busy just break in politely using your call sign, then move the party that you are calling to another frequency.

It is as a normal simplex frequency in these parts.

[KA4DPO]

I would say if the Frequency is not in use then you can use it freely.

If it is busy just break in politely using your call sign, then move the party that you are calling to another frequency.

It is as a normal simplex frequency in these parts.

That is what we do here. If someone wants to use the frequency to make a call we will move off to 58 or just stand by. Either way it's always polite to relinquish a calling frequency if asked. I would like to hear more simplex activity around here. In fact, I would like to se a resurgence of 2 meter AM simplex. There is a ton of really nice and very inexpensive old 2 meter AM gear available.