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AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/ham-answer-cq

How should you answer a station calling CQ?

Say their call sign, then yours.

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  1. Your call sign, then their call sign
  2. CQ, then their call sign
  3. Their call sign, then your call sign ✔

Why: Say the other station's call sign first so they know you mean them, then give your own. CQ means calling any station.

Huh, didn't know that: To call a specific station on a repeater, say their call sign, then identify with yours.

The dad joke
Why did the ham answer CQ so fast? He did not want to seek you later.
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References

Answer: Their call sign, then your call sign. Say the other station's call sign first so they know you mean them, then give your own. CQ means calling any station.

  1. HamStudy 2026-2030 Technician pool, section T2A hamstudy.org/browse/E2_2026/T2A
    Transmit the other station’s call sign followed by your call sign
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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