Ham Radio General Class Test 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Sending "QRL?" followed by your call sign is a practical way to avoid harmful interference when selecting a frequency to call CQ on both CW and phone. The term "QRL?" is a question in Morse code that essentially asks, "Is this frequency in use?" By using this method before transmitting your CQ call, you are actively checking if the frequency is occupied, which helps prevent interference with other ongoing communications. Additionally, following it up with your call sign makes it clear that you are identifying yourself while inquiring about frequency use.

Listening for a period before calling CQ is a useful practice to gauge activity on a frequency, but it may not specifically address immediate interference from someone else who might start transmitting after you've begun to listen. The alternative methods provided, such as sending the letter "V" or the QSY command, do not serve the purpose of checking frequency usage in the same manner and can be less effective in communicating intent to others already using the frequency. Thus, sending "QRL?" is the most proactive approach to ensure that you can transmit without causing disruption to other operators.