More SSB...

[Tinker53]

So now I have SSB and am enjoying it greatly. But it seems the folks on SSB are a heck of a lot friendlier than the usual CB folks, which is just fine with me. My question now, is there a proper way to "cut in" to a conversation on SSB? I don't think saying something like, "Hey, what's happening"?, or "Yo!" for example, would be a very good way to start something.
I've been listening to what others do, but most of the time I get into hearing conversations that were already started.
Also, do you use a handle like with the CB?

Tanks!

#smilies-42765#

[mrgumby OT21]

some people say CQ and some go QSK in between key ups and when they hear you the usually we have a CQ or a QSK out there and then they say go ahead when the are ready to let you in ...73s oh yeah I just use my first name and some use numbers like your OTC number you can get from grumpy

[hotrod]

to add to that you can also say station by or
station on the side
when dxing i usually call cqdx cqdx folloed by my numbers in the keystone standing by

[Tinker53]

Ok! That all sounds good to me!

Thanks!

[Sandbagger]

nosocks said:

So now I have SSB and am enjoying it greatly. But it seems the folks on SSB are a heck of a lot friendlier than the usual CB folks, which is just fine with me. My question now, is there a proper way to "cut in" to a conversation on SSB? I don't think saying something like, "Hey, what's happening"?, or "Yo!" for example, would be a very good way to start something.
I've been listening to what others do, but most of the time I get into hearing conversations that were already started.
Also, do you use a handle like with the CB?

Tanks!

#smilies-42765#

Well, back in the old days, the guys on SSB used to be quite the stuffed shirts when it came to adherence to the SSB "code of ettiquette". You used unit numbers and first names (referred to as "personals"). There was liberal usage of the Q-code as well. The emphasis on these things seemed to me to be the SSB operator's way of proclaiming their differences (and in some ways superiority) over the guys who used handles, 10 codes, and talked on AM. But at the end of the day, it's just two different sides of the same coin.

Now, as the years have gone by, the whole thing seems silly. In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter how you talk, or what codes you use (or don't use), as long as you're having fun. If someone gives you grief because you don't sign with a unit number, or don't use the "correct" Q-code (And since the Q-codes were developed for CW use, I find that a bit ironic), I'd wonder if perhaps they take themselves and their hobby a bit too seriously.

I talk on the radio on any band, mode or frequency in the exact same way. I use plain English and talk as if I were face-to-face with the people. The only time I might use some sort of code or lingo is when I feel like lampo0ning someone else who overuses them, or when the situation allows for it to work (like asking for a 10-36 at 10:36) in a humorous way. IMHO you'll sound less like a greenhorn if you just talk natural, than if you try to emulate the guys throwing out the codes and the lingo, and not quite getting it right.

The bottom line: Be yourself.

[Tinker53]

Well it seems I ran across a couple of "stuffed shirts" who have their own "code" or different way of making their presence known. And there were about four or five talking intermittently, so I'm thinking maybe it was a club because they all knew each other.
I just came in with a, "Hi, from northern NJ." They heard it and some asked "Who's that?" But they weren't asking me, but each other. Then the sarcastic comments came about, I rolled my eyes and left with a "23-skidoo" from the old movies. Its obvious I ran into a few who felt they had that station just for themselves. But the 23-skidoo thing left them speechless for a few moments and I had a good laugh.

So its just something to get used to over time.

"23 skidoo (sometimes 23 skiddoo) is an American slang phrase popularized in the early twentieth century, first appearing before World War I and becoming popular in the Roaring Twenties. It generally refers to leaving quickly, being forced to leave quickly by someone else or taking advantage of a propitious opportunity to leave, that is, "getting [out] while the getting's good."

[2IR473]

Well it seems I ran across a couple of "stuffed shirts" who have their own "code" or different way of making their presence known

Well, thats not uncommon. I have found many groups to be protective of their frequency, and often "territorial" when a new operator comes on. I have seen that occur on CB and ham radio, and chalk it up to human nature. Don't let it turn you off to radio in general.

Around these parts, a local SSB group will announce their presence on the frequency by saying "Hello radio", since they all know each other pretty well. When a new visitor to the frequency comes in, they usually say "CQ" or "QSK" and they will acknowledge them, but the group will usually just speak in plain, everyday conversational english, using first names.

I heard some groundwave from your area last night on Ch. 37 and I hear guys using numbers, rather than their names, and thats fine, but I think the people that have been on SSB for a long time tend to just use their names for local chat, and if the skip is rolling, then they'll use unit numbers or CB callsigns...like 2 India Romeo 473, or Oscar Tango 8412, or Charlie Delta X-ray 8412, or SSB-69U from way back in the day

Sandbagger alluded to this...sidebanders used to be like the pretend-hams of CB radio (I am guilty of this one), so they made up callsigns, or had them issued to them by SSB groups, and used the Q codes from ham radio (although usually didn't use them correctly and like Dave said, they were really only for morse code use, not for talking). That has changed with the newer generation of radio operators, who don't have the history of being on the air back in the 1970s or 80s (hell,I was talking to one of our members, Qamsolo, last night on the air, and he never heard of a GI Joe with the Kung Fu grip ... kids )

Have fun on SSB, and we'll try to work you some night when groundwave in enhanced.

[Tinker53]

Don't let it turn you off to radio in general.

Ohhh, that won't happen for a lonnnggg time! ;D I'm too hooked already.

Thanks!

[Sandbagger]

2ir473 said:

hell,I was talking to one of our members, Qamsolo, last night on the air, and he never heard of a GI Joe with the Kung Fu grip ... kids )

I'll bet he never had a pet rock or a mood ring either.

You know, I remember when I was younger, sitting there and listening to old timers telling stories of their youth and not knowing some of the things they were talking about (Cars were referred to as "machines", and telephone poles were "telegraph poles"). I wasn't around when Coke was a nickel, and I was still pretty young when drive-in burger joints went the way of the dinosaur. FM Stereo did not exist, Dick Clark was a young man, and Hi Lit was one of the more popular radio personalities. Heck, when my parents first moved from Phila out to East Norriton, they only had party line phone service.

I'm just starting to realize that there are a great many people alive now that never witnessed quite a few pop culture items that I still fondly remember, from a time that doesn't seem all that long ago. I guess I'm becoming an old timer and am experiencing the massive time distortion that happens. Yep, the good old days. 7 channels on the black and white TV that you had to actually get up to change channels on. Who woulda thunk it?

[2IR473]

Thats kind of whats happening to sideband with this newer generation on CB'er. Time is passing, and the way we did things 30-40 + years ago is becoming "history".The newer CB'er doesn't have the history of working CB radio when there was a "gentleman's agreement" to leave the top 5 channels for sideband use.

I have heard many SSB operators ask AM operators to go below channel 36, and the AM'ers argue (usually quite rudely) that there is no designated SSB channel. Well, thats true, but there was an unwritten rule that people used to respect. That sort of respect is gone from our society in general. (like, people used to yield to the cars already on the highway, when merging into traffic...not anymore )

Isn't it funny though, as soon as you pop up on a lower channel (ch.16 for example) on SSB, the AMers are all over you like white on rice.

[Tombstone (R.I.P.)]

Hmm..........I still try to adhere to the Gentlmen's Agreement when using the sideband mode. Channels 36 and up. I also think that channels 16 and 17 should be reserved for sideband. Probably that comes from being an "Olde Timer". Yeah, Sandbagger, I remeber a lot of stuff that you mentioned. Yes, technology has been racing ahead, who would have thunk it?

Tombstone

[hotrod]

i wasnt around for the gentlemans agreement.however i respect it
and only use 1-35 am/36-40 ssb.sometimes when dx is rolling 16lsb seems
like a quiet place to chat locally though

[radiofan]

Hi, Getting back to the original question How to cut in on sideband? Back in the late 70's and early 80's people on AM use to use the word "BREAK" Where as Sidebanders used the word "CONTACT". It did not matter if you were in the same club or different clubs talking together. When there were only 23 channels available, channels 16 and 17 were left to sideband use only (unwritten rule). When the 40 opened-up it was channels 31 thru 40 for sideband. Nowadays it seems like a free for all as to where you can talk on sideband and most clubs in the west are gone.

[doctor]

Try 37-40 although 40 is full of am guys, the upper channels are loaded with ssb.

DOCTOR/OT795

[bioman]

a few different PROPER ways to "Cut in" on sideband <IMO>


1: if working DX try calling CQ as in "CQ CQ CQDX OT-1557 Reading Pennsylvania standing by"

2: if you would like to break into some local guys QSO you could try just letting them know that you are there...between keys pop in there with a "OT-1557 listening" or simply say "QSK" so they know someone is on the frequency and wait for them to acknowledge you

3: if calling a specific station try something like "OT-235 OT-235 are you there Jim? OT-1557 calling" if you are not sure if they are on frequency or something like "OT-235 OT-235 ,OT-1557 calling"

these always seem to work fine for me........

if you dont belong to any club you can simplly make up numbers to use

i usually only use my numbers when in the begining and signing off from a conversation with another staion///the rest of the time I'm just "scott"

of course every now and then I start to say my "ham" call sign on 11M and usually catch myself before it all comes out

SSB is NORMALLY worked channels 36-40 with a few die-hard old guys on 16

"freeband" frequencies are normally SSB as well

hope this helps

scott