General exam question G2C05
Subelement G2, OPERATING PROCEDURES· Group G2C
What is the best speed to use when answering a CQ in Morse code?
- A.The fastest speed at which you are comfortable copying, but no slower than the CQ
- B.The fastest speed at which you are comfortable copying, but no faster than the CQ (correct answer)
- C.At the standard calling speed of 10 wpm
- D.At the standard calling speed of 5 wpm
WhyThe best speed for answering a CQ in Morse code is the fastest you're comfortable copying, but no faster than the CQ itself was sent. The accepted etiquette answering a CQ in Morse code is to send as fast as you're comfortable copying, but not faster than the calling station sent, so you don't outrun their own copying ability, answer B. There's no fixed 5 or 10 wpm standard calling speed, and sending faster than the CQ itself risks the other operator not being able to copy your reply.
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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