Asking for 6 digit grid square via CW

[AI7NN]

What is the best/clearest/shortest way to ask someone for their 6 digit grid square via CW?

Would we send QTH LOC? in hope for at least a 4 digit grid square?

[EI3LH]

When I did the quadruple* with @EI4JY on his activation the other day, we exchanged squares during the FM and SSB QSO’s so it helped a bit at the CW stage.

*-Quadruple = 2m FM, SSB, CW and 70cm = SSB. I think the IRTS, RSGB, AARL etc should come up with a Riyadh-esque ‘Golden VHF/UHF QSO’ so if you get a full sweep eg FM, SSB and CW across the lot, you get the chance to go for the big one, the Golden QSO.

A Golden QSO would be an 80m QSO in any mode. The caveats being, it must be done using a kite antenna, and during the QSO you must inform the recipient that you either have some sort of ailment, or that you have gout.

The star prize is minus 5 Pesetas. Or you could gamble for what’s behind the scoreboard…

A speedboat…or…BFH.

[G8ADD]

I’m not a CW op so I offer in all humility, MDH LOC? MDH for Maidenhead.

[EI4JY]

I liked the way Don @GW0PLP has submitted his locator - QRA xx00xx
I guess if a ham doesn’t understand QRA? or LOC?, perhaps that is not a ham?

[G4AZS]

@G8ADD

MDH LOC? MDH for Maidenhead.

I’ve not heard “MDH” in this context, though I see the logic.

I’d suggest just “LOC?” which I have often heard and used in the odd VHF contest I’ve dabbled in. If we were to standardise on that I guess it would soon be widely understood.

Of course, it would break the “multiple standards” standard

[K6YK]

You could just ask for “GRID” ? I know some folks use “LOC”. Actually, “QRA” does
not mean your location, it means “What is the name of your station” or your callsign.
I’ll bet a lot of folks don’t know their 6 digit grid locator. Although nowadays with GPS
units, cell phones, etc. they might have instant access to that info.
I have run into this issue working maritime mobile stations, sometimes finally having
to just ask them where the heck are you? Latitude and longitude and I’ll figure it out
myself.
What with the CQ Grid Field Award coming into existence, grids have become more
interesting on the HF bands.

73,
John, K6YK

[JP3PPL]

For CW, you can ask “GL?” I used it and they instantly responded with the 6-digit GL. Now, if someone sends you only 4 digits, you could do the following: Repeat the GL they sent you and add two "?"s. If they still don’t understand, send them your 6-digit “GL” so they understand it’s a 6-digit number. And if they still don’t understand, send 73 and continue with a new CQ.

[EI4JY]

There used to be a thing called ‘QRA locator’ many years ago, I suppose older hams remember that. Then it was renamed to ‘QTH locator’, then grid square and now … all the monkeys in a zoo…

To me, there is no question, it could be anything, QRA, LOC, GRID et cetera. Once I am on V/UHF CW/SSB I know by default, that folks are more likely looking for my locator, not my town. Accordingly, I would expect a person on another end to be in the know

Although, I would associate ‘GL’ solely with Good Luck
If anyone sends me a ‘GL?’ I would reply with ‘GL’

[F5JKK]

Grid or Loc

[K6YK]

Actually it’s amazing how many stations (operators) are “not in the know” these days.
Maybe it’s not just these days and I just notice it more these days because I’m getting
older and grumpier?
Many stations don’t know their basic grid square, and a lot of other things that are pretty
common operating practices or skills. I hear it every day, and some of those folks are not
newbies, either.
K6YK

[VK3SQ]

…agree with that John, much the same in VK

Geoff vk3sq

[JP3PPL]

Amen!
I believe the only truly successful way to run an activation for the “Challenge” is if the operators on the other end are Chasers/Activators who understand the characteristics of the Challenge.
If the people calling are not interested in or don’t follow the SOTA program, then they would need to be “old‑school” operators (though this is not a guarantee of success), because unfortunately most operators only listen for their callsign, 5NN, and 73 — and they panic at anything that comes after a question mark.

[VK5CZ]

I would send the word Grid? then hope folks know the rule and their grid reference. I agree with Takeo 100%, some ops may not have a clue what you are asking. Also one would hope the activator has schooled his chasers on what the challenge is all about or they are up to speed with it.

Regards Ian vk5cz ..

[IU1KGS]

@JP3PPL

For CW, you can ask “GL?

I’m afraid I’d reply with GL 73 TU. Actually I’m 100% certain I would even after having read this.

[GM3GAV]

I would send

PSE UR GRID? or PSE UR LOC?

73 Gavin

GM3GAV

[JP3PPL]

Well, AI7NN asked for the ¨Best/clearest/shortest¨ and if you read my answer I said ¨I used it and they instantly responded with the 6 digit GL¨
Possibly it is not the best and the clearest but for me was the shortest and effective.
And one more thing, if I send ¨UR GL?¨ with a QUESTION MARK this doesn´t mean ¨Your good luck?¨ and if the other end send me a ¨?¨ because did not understand the question I can send ¨UR GRID?¨ or ¨UR LOC?¨ but as you can see ¨GL?¨ is the shortest and I simply responded with what worked for me. Now, if everyone thinks “GL?” is some kind of greeting, just don’t use it.

[F5JKK]

Hi all

Since 1982, I’ve been a fanatic of the 6-meter band, a little less so for the higher frequency bands, although…

I’ve always exchanged and received grid squares during my contacts. You can see the countries I’ve visited and activated on my QRZ.com page.
Today, if you listen to and answer calls on 6 meters, your contact(s) will transmit their locators.
On 2 meters in France, which is a little less used, SSB/CW exchanges will always include locators.
Now, perhaps new operators overlook this detail due to a lack of knowledge?

73, Éric F5JKK

[M6GYU]

I don’t think there’s a need to abbreviate everything in morse/cw.

QRA is, “The name of my station is……..”, was used sometimes when operating at sea/land when you were communicating with a callsign you couldn’t find the callsign in one of the ACPs or other lists of callsigns. I have used it as a ham when communicating with ship/MM stations, and of course they will give me the name of their ship.

However, I aware that some hams use it to ask for your call……….God knows why, when “UR CALL agn ?? is quite clear and enough.

QTH? What is your position?, which I have been asked whilst both mobile and at home. My answer is Whitby or the relevant location in plain language. Maybe its just me, but QTH LOC ? Or even MDH LOC ? would have me puzzled. However, “QTH Maidenhead location ? “ would be perfectly clear. Yes, its a 5 or 6 seconds, but are you in that much of a hurry?
If I was away from home, portable, I would have no idea and my response would simply be, “Look up my QRZ page pse”

David

[F5JKK]

@F5JKK

Today, if you listen to and answer calls on 6 meters, your contact(s) will transmit their locators.

That is for SSB or CW For digital modes, it is not the operator who provides this information, but their software.

[G8CPZ]

We already discussed this question about 4 weeks ago on the SOTA 2026 Challenge (Part 1) topic.

@JP3PPL

¨UR GRID?¨ or ¨UR LOC?¨

I think these two are the most widely understood. ‘GL’ already means something else. “UR GRID REF?” is clear.

I’ve had six 2m CW QSOs on three activations so far this year [more on 2m SSB], and in each case, the chasers (none of them on a SOTA summit) either sent me their 6-digit grid square - twice - without my having to ask or after my sending “UR LOC?”.

I think chasers are either already aware of the Challenge and the need to provide their locators or are experienced VHF ops who routinely provide them. Of course, this awareness might vary from one Association to another.