[CQ-Contest] Ending a Contest QSO on Phone

[k1dg at ix.netcom.com]

There's no single correct answer. You should end a QSO with the shortest possible transmission that communicates the following messages as needed:

1. I have copied your exchange and our QSO is over. You are free to go. Turn that big knob in the middle of the radio and call someone else.

1a (optional). I appreciate this QSO. Please accept my thanks and heartfelt gratitude. You are a fine person and I really enjoyed meeting you. Perhaps you will do me the honor of calling me in another contest or on another band in this contest. I will be looking forward to it and will always chreish the memory of this QSO, my dear friend.

2. I am ready to have a QSO with another station, and am hereby soliciting a call.

3. This is my callsign.

It is up to you to determine what constitutes the minimum transmission to accomplish these. 

If you do not have a pileup, you need to do all three. Adding 1(a) will sometimes help by making a QSO with you more appealing to a casual op tuning by. It's also more polite and adds to the enjoyment for everyone. 

Good: "Thanks, WZ3AR QRZ." Use this most of the time.
Bad: "Thanks."
Bad: "QSL QRZ."    This one raises my blood pressure when I hear it.
Bad: "WZ3AR".      Are you calling a station or CQing?

If you have a pileup calling you, sometimes you can speed things up by signing your callsign less frequently, because most of the people listening to you already know who you are. This is dangerous if you aren't used to this style, because it's easy to forget to sign your call at all. If you have a big pileup calling, signing your call every time will slow you down, and possibly attract an even bigger pileup, slowing you down further. 

Good: "Thanks". (QSO ensues). "Thanks, WZ3AR".

Not quite as good: "Thanks, WZ3AR". (QSO ensues). "Thanks, WZ3AR" etc."

Bad: "Thanks". (QSO ensues). "Thanks". (QSO ensues). "Thanks". (continue until entire pile up is yelling "Watzyercall?!?!?!?")

Pretty good: "WZ3AR" (QSO ensues) "WZ3AR". This works when the pileup is big and building, and establishes a rhythm while identifying yourself. Your tone of voice, how well the pileup synchronizes with you, how well your callsign is known, and what you do if you need a repeat will determine how well this works for you.

It gets better if you can pick out part of another callsign (or a full call) because the transmission that ends one can also get you halfway through the next one.

Very good: (QSO takes place) "Thanks, now K1something 5905" (QSO ensues) "K1DG thanks, WZ3AR QRZ".

In general, every transmission should be as short as possible to communicate what is required, but not shorter. The best ops know how to adjust their transmission speed and content to match the conditions. 

And as simple and easy as it sounds, it takes years of practice to figure it all out. I am still learning. 

73, and keep the rate up,

Doug K1DG


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