ARRL Technician Practice Exam

What brief statement is often transmitted in place of "CQ" to indicate that you are listening on a repeater?

1. Your station's location

2. Your call sign

3. The time and date

4. A status update

The correct answer is: Your call sign

Transmitting your call sign serves as a fundamental identification method in amateur radio communication. When using a repeater, sending your call sign is the standard practice to indicate to others that you are listening and available to communicate. This practice helps in ensuring that others know who is on the frequency and allows them to respond appropriately. Using the call sign not only fulfills regulatory requirements but also helps promote effective communication among operators, creating a structured and identifiable interaction on the airwaves. In contrast, conveying your station's location, the time and date, or a status update does not serve the same immediate purpose of inviting others to engage with you on the repeater, making them less effective for this particular communication context.