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T2A08

OPERATING PROCEDURES · Station operation: choosing an operating frequency, calling another station, test transmissions; Band plans: calling frequencies, repeater offsets

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What is the meaning of the procedural signal "CQ"?

  1. AA shortened form of the term "Contest QSO"
  2. B"Communication Quality," used to indicate transmitted audio clarity
  3. COnly the called station should transmit
  4. DCalling any station
Why CQ is the universal call meaning "I am seeking a contact with anyone who hears me." It is a general call, not addressed to a particular station, so any station hearing it may reply. Directed forms exist too, like "CQ DX" for distant stations or "CQ contest," but the base meaning is a call to any station.
Watch out "Contest QSO" is a made-up expansion; CQ predates and is independent of contesting, and "CQ contest" simply narrows the general call to contest participants.
CQ sounds like "seek you" - seeking anyone who will answer.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
← T2A07 All of T2A T2A09 →

The rest of T2A

  1. T2A01 What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 2-meter band?
  2. T2A02 What is the national calling frequency for FM simplex operations in the 2-meter band?
  3. T2A03 What is a common repeater frequency offset in the 70-centimeter band?
  4. T2A04 What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station's call sign?
  5. T2A05 How should you respond to a station calling CQ?
  6. T2A06 What is an effective way to seek a call from any phone station when not using a repeater?
  7. T2A07 What does the term "repeater offset" mean?
  8. T2A08 What is the meaning of the procedural signal "CQ"?
  9. T2A09 Which of the following is a customary way to indicate a station is listening on a repeater and looking for a …
  10. T2A10 What is a band plan, beyond the privileges established by the FCC?
  11. T2A11 What term describes an amateur station that is transmitting and receiving on the same frequency?
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