Phonetics & Q-Code Trainer

Just passed your Technician exam? Before you key up on your first net, get comfortable with the language hams use on the air. This free trainer drills the NATO phonetic alphabet, the Q-codes you’ll hear every night, common abbreviations like 73, QSL and QTH, and the words net control uses. Flip through the flash cards, take a quick quiz, practice saying random callsigns phonetically, and build your own check-in script.

Getting ready for your first net

• Learn your own callsign first. Say it phonetically out loud ten times until it rolls off your tongue. It’s the one thing you’ll say on every check-in.
• Use the standard words. “Alfa Bravo Charlie” is understood everywhere. Made-up phonetics like “Apple Boy Cat” get misheard, especially through a noisy repeater.
• Listen before you talk. Spend a net or two just listening. You’ll pick up the rhythm and hear how other stations check in.
• Pause after you key up. Our repeaters are linked, so give the system a second to open before you speak, or your first word gets cut off.
• Don’t worry about mistakes. Everyone on the net was new once. If you stumble, just say “correction” and try again.

Check in to the ACURA net

The ACURA club net meets every Thursday at 7:00 pm Eastern, and new hams are always welcome. You can check in on any of our linked repeaters: VHF 147.165 MHz (PL 91.5), UHF 445.875 MHz (PL 85.4) or 220 MHz 224.240 (PL 100). You can also join through EchoLink on node AG2NJ-R. See who is checking in tonight on the Net Check-In Board, and check whether the repeaters are up on the Repeater Status Board.

Keep learning

Ready for more? Try the Morse Code Trainer to learn CW, where many of these abbreviations came from. Look at the Interactive Band Plan to see where you can operate, or study for your next upgrade with the Practice Exams. When you’re ready to test, find a session on our Testing Schedule. New to the hobby? Start at our New Hams page.