How to not be a “LID”

Mark WA5MA

“Lid” is ham-speak to denote a poor operator; one who is inept at the practice of the radio amateur art.  It is someone with very poor operating technique, a newbie or an experienced ham that acts like a neophyte. This old term likely originated from the days of wired telegraphy.

There are some bad habits certain hams need to break, mainly because it demonstrates ignorance and carelessness.  Other amateurs may not take you seriously if you practice these things.  Numerous ham websites list pet peeves containing these bad practices.

Some liddish behavior is understandable or excusable in a brand new ham but habits form quickly.  These are generally frowned upon and the perpetrator may find themselves publicly shamed (in a hammy context).  Don’t let it happen to you!

Does anyone have any history on the term “lid” when referring to a telegrapher’s capability? How did it originate and what is the significance if any of each letter?

One explanation was that when a relay office Telegrapher couldn’t handle the work on the wire he was assigned to, he was “lifted” off the job and reassigned or let go. In telegrapher parlance, when discussing such events over the wires, other operators shortened the word ” lifted” to ” li’d”. Over time a poor or incapable operator that had been or was about to be “lifted” became known as a “LID”.

This explanation is a new one for me. The story that most often makes the rounds in amateur radio circles is that some telegraphers used the lid of a Prince Albert tobacco can to better hear the sounder. These fellows were, in general, poor operators, and “lid” became the designation of any poor operator.

I like this explanation better, though. It just makes more sense. It was always unclear to me how strategically placing a tobacco can lid near a sounder would make it louder or more intelligible.

Let’s make sure you’re not going to be labelled a LID!

Listed below are ten Q-codes the average ham is most likely to hear (in the author’s opinion), along with their meaning and common usage:

• QRM- Man-made interference, interference from other stations.
• QRN- Natural interference, typically static or crashing from thunderstorms.
• QRP- Low power transmit, generally 5W or less.
• QRO – High power transmit, increase power
• QRT- Quitting; stopping transmission or shutting down station.
• QRZ- Who is calling me?

By the way, QRZ is properly pronounced, “Cue Are Zed”

• QSB- Fading signal.
• QSL- I acknowledge receipt; also confirmation of contact.
• QSO- Conversation, radio contact and exchange.
• QSY- Change frequency.
• QTH- Location.

CW Q-codes

• QRL – Equivalent of asking if frequency is in use.
• QRS – Slow down you speed.

 

Here are some things to help you know what not to say:

• Use of CB lingo and police/public safety codes.  “10-4″,”what’s your 20?”, and “breaker” are particularly egregious.
• Calling CQ or another station on an occupied frequency.  This is the worst form of QRM.  Hams should always ask if a frequency is in use (QRL?) first.
• Checking into a net or answering a CQ without identifying phonetically.  But once you are acknowledged you should ID without phonetics.
• Partial phonetics is also bad form (e.g., KG5-alpha-bravo-charlie).
• Talking too far from or directly into the mic.  See our microphone technique topic. Faint audio or mic “POPs”. Let’s also look at ALC and Compression.
• Using the term “broadcasting”.  Hams never, ever broadcast; they transmit.  The word broadcast has a very particular meaning to the FCC.
• Using too much power or audio level (splatter) on digital modes
• Adding an S to 73.  73 by itself is fine, but pluralizing it (73s or 73’s) is the equivalent of saying “best regardses”, which doesn’t make sense.

• All hams, don’t hesitate… on the air.  With your mic keyed to transmit, don’t fill up time and space with “um…”, “well…”, “er…”, “aah…” and other such sounds of hesitation.

 

• What can you talk about?
• Discussions of politics and religion tend to attract controversy and start arguments on the air, so if it looks like your conversation is heading in those directions it might be an idea to finish the QSO or change the topic.
• Worried about saying the right thing or using the right abreviation? You don’t have to use ham jargon, plain language is always acceptable.
• Worried about getting tongue tied?… Don’t worry…we all do it.
• Still not sure what to say? Make a list and post it in front of you. Create a list of subjects such as “What radio and antenna are you using?”, “What modes do you operate?”, “What town are you from and what’s great about it?”, “Do you like POTA, SOTA, contesting or special event stations?”, “What clubs do you belong to? ARES, RACES?”
• At the end of the QSO wish the other station “73” – which is the Q code for best wishes – and say you are now QRT if closing down or QRZ for another conversation.

 

The Radio Amateur is:

• Considerate
  They never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
• Loyal
  They offer loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, the IARU Radio Society in their country, through which Amateur Radio in their country is represented nationally and internationally.
• Progressive
  They keeps their station up to date. It is well-built and efficient. Their operating practice is above reproach.
• Friendly
  They operate slowly and patiently when requested; offer friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.
• Balanced
  Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
• Patriotic
  Their station and skills are always ready for service to country and community.

Making your first QSO

• First of all, don’t let the “rules” make you nervous. It mainly comes down to proper identification which means giving your call sign every 10 minutes during an exchange and at the end of your last transmission. Pretty easy to remember.
• Your first contact or conversation (QSO) can be quite daunting. As said before, it might be an idea to arrange a QSO with a friend, or someone else in your radio club. That’s only one of the benefits of being in a club. That way it will be less stressful and if you make a hash of it it doesn’t really matter. For this reason it might be easier to arrange the QSO on 2m FM rather than HF SSB, which will be noisier and more prone to interference.
• First thing to do is make sure your radio is set up properly – that it is on the right mode, that you have the microphone gain set correctly – ALC and compression tutorial and you have selected the right amount of power. Generally, we should use the minimum amount of power required to guarantee a good contact. On HF, use a dummy load.
• Then you need to make sure that you are using the correct antenna and that it is matched properly, either by using an ATU or by feeding it directly. If feeding it directly, make sure that it presents a low SWR to your radio – that is, that you installed it correctly and it is working fine.
• To conduct a voice or phone QSO you have two choices: You can call “CQ” or you can answer someone who is calling CQ. A CQ is simply a general call to no one in particular. It is the traditional way of seeking random contacts.
• Before calling CQ it’s important to find a frequency that is not occupied by any other station. This may not be easy, particularly in crowded band conditions on HF.
• Always listen, listen, listen and listen again before transmitting. Make sure the frequency isn’t being used before you go barging in. If, after a reasonable time, the frequency seems clear, ask “Is this frequency in use?”, followed by your callsign. So, “Is the frequency in use? This is M6ABC.” If nobody replies, you’re clear to call.

 

• Calling CQ
• Now call CQ using the three x three method. So it is: “CQ CQ CQ this is Mike Six Alpha Bravo Charlie, Mike Six Alpha Bravo Charlie, Mike Six Alpha Bravo Charlie standing by.”
• If a station comes back to you say: “N1ABC (or whatever) N1ABC, this is Mike Six Alpha Bravo Charlie. Good evening/day, your report is 59 (or whatever it is), my name is Dave – Delta Alpha Victor Echo – and my QTH is London – Lima Oscar November Delta Oscar November.”
• Note you don’t need to spell things out phonetically more than once usually.
• If lucky, they should come back to you with your report, their name and QTH. At this point you have two choices – you can go on to give them a few more details about your station, such as the radio, power and antenna.
• But with many QSOs you may find that the other station wishes you 73 and goes – it usually means that English is not their first language and they are likely to get tongue tied or they may not be a ragchewer.
• If they do speak good English you can always tell them a little about yourself and your local area and ask them about theirs. Or you could tell them what clubs you are a member of – there is a whole host of topics you can use.

QSLing

Some hams still do send out QSL cards, or send them in reply or if requested.  Collecting cards is a fun aspect of ham radio.  Many cards are interesting or unique.

Besides tradition,  a sense of satisfaction, and general fun, QSO confirmation in the form of valid QSL is a basic requirement for most operating awards.  This may not matter to you but many other hams are eager for your QSL, particularly if they are requesting one.

All hams should QSL – eQSL, LOTW, QSL cards.

Resources for this information

NewHams.info

About

DX Code of Conduct

https://rsgb.org/main/operating/dx-code-of-conduct/

Radio Amateur’s Code of Conduct

https://www.arrl.org/amateur-code

Tulsa Amateur Radio Club website

W5ias.com

YouTube

Ham Nation Episode 36 / Transmit and receive audio

W6LG

Stuart Sheldon

N4HNH