Why do radio hams always say cq?

Question

Why do radio hams always say cq?

Answer 1

The origins of that expression are a little complicated:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CQ_(call)

All it means is "I am calling out for any station to reply".

Answer 2

It means are you receiving me.

Answer 3

CQ is a general call to all stations listening on a frequency on which the call is placed.

Which is why I called my website CQ VoIP Call:

http://www.cqvoip.info

It's a general call to anyone interested in using VoIP.

http://cqvoipcall.googlepages.com/whatis...

_._.   _ _._

Answer 4

I was told many years ago that it is derived from, " seek you".  It is a general call meaning that you seek someone to talk to, thus CQ.  For instance saying "CQ CQ CQ this is k5gek listening for a call." means that k5gek wants someone to talk to.  It can be done by voice or in morse code.  It is internationally understood.  Hams all around the world know what it means even if they speak a language other than English.

Have fun and 73 from the Fisherman