Question
Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX”?
Answer Options
- A) Any caller is welcome to respond
- B) Only stations in Germany
- C) Any stations outside the lower 48 states
- D) Only contest stations
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
When a station in the contiguous 48 United States (the lower 48 or ‘L-48’) calls ‘CQ DX’ (Calling any distant station), it is a voluntary convention indicating that the operator is seeking contacts with stations that are outside the L-48 states. This includes foreign countries, Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, and potentially other areas outside the immediate geographic region.
According to widely accepted amateur practice, stations within the contiguous 48 states should generally refrain from answering such a call to leave the frequency open for the intended distant stations. This maximizes the opportunity for the calling station to make a long-distance (DX) contact, promoting international and long-haul domestic communication.
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