BasicB-002-005-002
How should you answer a routine Morse code "CQ" call?
C
Answer
Licensing, station identification, and operation
Type
A
Send your call sign four times
B
Send your call sign followed by your name, station location and a signal report
C
Send the other station's call sign twice, followed by the word "DE," followed by your call sign twice
D
Send the other station's call sign once, followed by the word "DE," followed by your call sign four times
Answer Notes
When replying to a routine Morse code CQ call, the accepted practice is the '2x2' format. You send the calling station's call sign twice, followed by 'DE' (from), and then your own call sign twice.
Sending the other station's call sign twice is sufficient because they are already actively listening for a response. Sending your own call sign twice strikes the right balance between being easily copied through noise and not being overly repetitive.
You should never include your name, location, or signal report in the initial response. You must first establish that the other station has heard you and is ready to exchange that information.
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