Question
When sending CW, what does a “C” mean when added to the RST report?
Answer Options
- A) Chirpy or unstable signal
- B) Report was read from an S meter rather than estimated
- C) 100 percent copy
- D) Key clicks
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
The RST system is used to give a standardized report of the Readability (R), Signal Strength (S), and Tone (T) of a CW signal. The Tone report is a single digit from 1 (very bad tone) to 9 (perfect tone). If the signal has an unstable tone that varies noticeably in frequency when keyed, it is described as ‘chirpy.’
This chirping, a sign of poor keying or frequency stability, is indicated by adding the letter ‘C’ after the Tone report. For example, ‘579C’ means the signal is readable (5), strong (7), but has a chirpy tone (C). A perfect tone is typically reported as ‘599’.
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