When you’re just getting into ham radio, there are a ton of new features to explore — and VOX is one of those settings that sounds useful, but can catch you off guard if you’re not careful.
VOX stands for Voice-Operated Exchange. In simple terms, it lets your radio transmit automatically whenever it detects sound — no need to press the PTT (push-to-talk) button. It’s mostly used for hands-free setups, like when you’re operating in a car or using a headset at a workstation.
Sounds convenient, right? But if you don’t realize it’s on — or don’t actually need it — VOX can cause some real issues.
How I Found Out the Hard Way
I learned about VOX the hard way — during a trip out to Montauk Point State Park. I had recently installed a Retevis RT95 in my car and was still getting familiar with the settings. At some point before the trip, I must have accidentally turned VOX on while playing around with the menu. I had no idea.
While heading out with a couple of friends, I was tuned in to the East Coast Reflector. I remember someone mentioning there was a stuck mic — but I didn’t think it was me. I wasn’t touching the mic, and at the time, I didn’t even know what VOX was.
It wasn’t until the drive home, when I tried to check into a net and got no response, that I started suspecting something was off. Once I got home, I connected the radio to my laptop and looked over the settings. Sure enough, VOX was enabled. That’s when I finally looked it up — and realized that my radio had been transmitting any time it picked up sound in the car. Not exactly the kind of first impression I wanted to make on the airwaves.
Why VOX Can Be a Problem
Unless you’ve specifically set up your station for VOX, there are a few reasons to keep it off:
- Accidental transmissions: Any loud sound — road noise, music, or even conversations — can trigger VOX and cause you to transmit without realizing it.
- Disrupting nets or repeaters: If your radio keeps keying up randomly, it can interfere with other users and cause confusion.
When VOX Actually Makes Sense
VOX can be helpful — in the right situations. If you’re operating hands-free in a quiet environment (like using a headset in the shack), VOX might be just what you need. You can also adjust the sensitivity so that it won’t trigger unless your voice hits a certain level. But for most new hams, it’s something you won’t need early on.
How to Turn VOX Off
Every radio is different, but VOX is usually found in your radio’s menu settings. You can turn it off directly on the radio, or — if you have a programming cable — through the software (like CHIRP or RT Systems). On my RT95, I plugged it into my laptop and saw right away that VOX was set to ON. Flipping it to OFF solved everything instantly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re brand new to the hobby and you’re not sure whether you need VOX — you probably don’t. Keep it off until you have a reason to turn it on. Trust me, your fellow operators will thank you.
73,
Daniel // W2DIY