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Author Topic: QRL / "?" response  (Read 1913 times)

K4EMF

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QRL / "?" response
« on: May 31, 2021, 09:41:03 AM »

Is there a standard CW response to someone transmitting a "?" or QRL on a frequency you're using?
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K7AAT

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2021, 10:00:34 AM »


What I understand is QRL ?  means,   " are you busy ".   Responding with QRL   means "I am busy".

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K7MEM

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2021, 10:07:48 AM »

Is there a standard CW response to someone transmitting a "?" or QRL on a frequency you're using?

The operator is just asking "Is this frequency in use?" If he sent "QRL?", and you are working that frequency, then the answer should be "QRL", without the question mark. "QRL", without the question mark means "This frequency is in use.". Sometimes a user shortens that to "?", but it means the same thing and the answer should also be "QRL". While a "?" is short and less intrusive, I prefer to use "QRL?".

It may be that the other station can not hear you. It has happened to me several times.

Edited to add this link to Q-Signals.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2021, 10:15:23 AM by K7MEM »
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K4EMF

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2021, 11:35:55 AM »

Is there a standard CW response to someone transmitting a "?" or QRL on a frequency you're using?

The operator is just asking "Is this frequency in use?" If he sent "QRL?", and you are working that frequency, then the answer should be "QRL", without the question mark. "QRL", without the question mark means "This frequency is in use.". Sometimes a user shortens that to "?", but it means the same thing and the answer should also be "QRL". While a "?" is short and less intrusive, I prefer to use "QRL?".

It may be that the other station can not hear you. It has happened to me several times.

Edited to add this link to Q-Signals.
Thanks guys.
I should have been more specific.  I was wondering if besides responding with QRL if there was a more abbreviated standard response.  A "dit dit" or some such. 
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K1VSK

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2021, 12:10:45 PM »

Thanks guys.
I should have been more specific.  I was wondering if besides responding with QRL if there was a more abbreviated standard response.  A "dit dit" or some such.
It is traditional to send the letter C in response to a QRL query but there are a lot of newer hams who don’t know that and respond with another QRL which can serve only to confuse the first query into thinking two people are asking the same thing.
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W0CKI

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2021, 02:14:53 PM »

QRL on CW is the same as asking on SSB is the frequency in use. You can simply send YES. Hopefully the sendor will hear you and move on. If you’re sending QRL and there is no answer, go ahead and call CQ.
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K4EMF

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2021, 02:55:51 PM »

Thanks guys.
I should have been more specific.  I was wondering if besides responding with QRL if there was a more abbreviated standard response.  A "dit dit" or some such.
It is traditional to send the letter C in response to a QRL query but there are a lot of newer hams who don’t know that and respond with another QRL which can serve only to confuse the first query into thinking two people are asking the same thing.

Thank You, this is what I was looking for.
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M0LEP

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2021, 02:47:39 AM »

I was wondering if besides responding with QRL if there was a more abbreviated standard response.  A "dit dit" or some such.
Given the only time a response is needed is when the answer's affirmative, something very short and clear is needed so as to cause least disruption to the QSO that's in progress, and the OTs at my first club usually suggested "A" was enough.

At the other end, if you've sent "?" or "QRL?" and you get any response, it's probably safe to assume the answer's affirmative, and you should try somewhere else.
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N2HUN

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2021, 03:24:43 AM »

I just quickly send a few R's.
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K4EMF

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2021, 04:43:16 AM »

Given the only time a response is needed is when the answer's affirmative, something very short and clear is needed so as to cause least disruption to the QSO that's in progress, and the OTs at my first club usually suggested "A" was enough.

At the other end, if you've sent "?" or "QRL?" and you get any response, it's probably safe to assume the answer's affirmative, and you should try somewhere else.
Oh I agree I was just curious if there was any generally accepted abbreviated response to a QRL, such as the "C" mentioned earlier.
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AE0Q

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2021, 11:11:41 AM »

Oh I agree I was just curious if there was any generally accepted abbreviated response to a QRL, such as the "C" mentioned earlier.

In a contest the normal response is to call CQ again.
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AA4Q

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2021, 03:54:00 PM »

I agree almost any response means "yes", but "r" or "c" is more of an answer (technically, "r" = "received" not "yes", same with "roger" in voice.)

here's a similar question:

decades ago someone told me didit dit  (.. .   or "i e") can be used to mean "is the freq in use" or "QRL?") who else uses that? I think I heard it used back in the 70's but not since then. I use it all the time, since its much faster and less interfering than all the symbols needed to send "QRL?" (7 vs 54 dit-lengths).

so, didit dit as the question and dit as the answer is about as short and low impact as you could get!

AA4Q
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W1TAG

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2021, 05:16:31 PM »

Didi dit is “C” in American Morse.

John, W1TAG
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K1VSK

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2021, 06:58:49 AM »

Didi dit is “C” in American Morse.

John, W1TAG
Which is where the “C” response originated. Unfortunately, we did a poor job apparently of teaching newer hams.
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K4EMF

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Re: QRL / "?" response
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2021, 07:32:03 AM »

Didi dit is “C” in American Morse.

John, W1TAG
Which is where the “C” response originated. Unfortunately, we did a poor job apparently of teaching newer hams.

Interesting John.....and....unfortunate.
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