#hf operation

So HF equipment is usually what General folks like using because HF frequencies are where most of the voice privileges equate long distance contacts.  As a result, most HF equipment is designed for continuous tuning.  The nice big knob on the front of HF rigs is known as the VFO - variable frequency oscillator, and takes nice small steps, usually less than 100Hz with each little tick. 

The manual says that calling CQ on VHF/UHF channels is rare, but that's pretty much how I make my contacts.  Though perhaps they're talking about repeaters in which you need to have the "password" anyway.  But I do CQ on the calling frequencies for 2m and 70cm.  That being said, CQ is how most contacts are made on HF.

CQ CQ CQ, this is [call sign] x2-3. or CQ CQ CQ from [call sign] x2-3.

Some variations involve saying CQ DX which usually means outside of the calling station's country.  Or CQ for stations in a contest/special event, etc.

Joining in an ongoing QSO or "breaking in" is also common.  On phone, the normal procedure is to just say your call sign during a pause in conversation or in CW/digital, send a "BK". 

So when we were messing around with 2m/70cm (can't remember which), we were driving in Denver CO and heard a few people talking.  I was so excited that when I heard a pause in their chatting, I quickly called a CQ.  They said that I was on their repeater network and that I couldn't call CQ on it.  *sadface*.  But it was our fault for not going onto the universal calling frequency.  Needless to say, I didn't call CQ for a while after that!

So one of the first things you need to do is to select a frequency to operate on.  If you're interested in short-range, regional contacts, 80 or 40m would be good.  Longer range contacts are easiest on 30-10m depending on solar conditions.  If someone locally responds on a long distance band, it'd be a good idea to move to a shorter distance band or even VHF/UHF.

You want to make sure that you adhere to frequency privileges given to Generals but also band plans - this is where you see where the repeater networks are and so on and so forth.

Really, your goal is to find a frequency on which your transmissions minimized interference to nearby stations.  Recommended station spaces are as follows:

CW: 150-500Hz

SSB: ~3kHz

RTTY: 250-500Hz

PSK31: 150-500Hz

Ask "Is the frequency in use? This is [call sign]" once or twice before starting the CQ.  And on CW/digital modes you can ask "QRL? DE [call sign]"  If it is occupied, they'll say "yes it is" or send "C".  And then you just change to another frequency and try again.