General exam question G2B06
Subelement G2, OPERATING PROCEDURES· Group G2B
How can you avoid harmful interference on an apparently clear frequency before calling CQ on CW or phone?
- A.Send “QRL?” on CW, followed by your call sign; or, if using phone, ask if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign (correct answer)
- B.Listen for 2 minutes before calling CQ
- C.Send the letter “V” in Morse code several times and listen for a response, or say “test” several times and listen for a response
- D.Send “QSY” on CW or if using phone, announce “the frequency is in use,” then give your call sign and listen for a response
WhySending QRL? on CW, or asking verbally if the frequency is in use, before calling CQ is the way to avoid causing harmful interference on an apparently clear frequency. Before calling CQ, sending "QRL?" on CW or asking verbally if the frequency is in use, followed by your call sign, lets any station already using the frequency (who might not be transmitting at that exact moment) let you know before you start calling, answer A. Just listening without asking can miss a station that's mid-contact but briefly silent, and "QSY" or sending a "V" aren't the accepted way to check if a frequency is clear.
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Question text is verbatim from the 2023-2027 NCVEC Element 3 pool (public domain); the explanation above is original writing, see our methodology.
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