HAM Radio Glossary of Terms
This is, by far, nothing close to the amount of terms use in Ham radio, however, these are some of the most used and ones you will hear getting on the air for the first time.
| HAM Term | Meaning | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Best wishes, have a good one | 73, this is [your call sign] |
| Roger | got it, understood | roger that |
| Copy | understand | copy that |
| QSO | conversation | I just had a QSO with another ham in my area |
| Clear | good-bye / off the air | this is [your call sign] clear |
| Mobile | traveling | [your call sign] mobile |
| Monitor | listen | This is [your call sign] monitoring |
| QSY | changing frequency | I am going to QSY over to '62 |
| Double | talking simultaneously | you two doubled with each other |
| Step on | talk over | I apologize, I stepped on you |
| PTT | Push-To-Talk | Push your PTT button to talk |
| HT | Handy Talkie | My radio is an HT |
| Rubber Duck | Stock antenna that usually comes with your HT radio | I'm using a rubber duck |
| Stand by | Wait / Pause | This is [your call sign] stand by |
| NET | On-Air Gathering | The NET is at noon |
| In and Out | Offline Check-In | This is, [your call sign], I am in and out |
| Elmer | Ham Radio Mentor | John is my Elmer |
| Final | Concluding Transmission | I'll be clear on your final |
| Kerchunk | keying up silently | All i could hear is someone kerchunking |
| Picket Fencing | Fluttering transmission | Your signal is picket fencing |
| Ragchew | shooting the breeze | We're just rag chewing right now |
| Shack | Your radio room | My shack is downstairs |
| silent key / SK | Deceased Ham | My Dad is a silent key |
| Full Quieting | No background noise | You're full quieting in the repeater |
| Relay | Pass a Message | Could you please relay? |
| Key Up | Transmit | Key up when you are ready to speak |
| Unkey | Stop Transmitting | Release the PTT button |
| Ticket | Ham Radio License | When did you get your ticket |
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