ARRL Technician Practice Exam

What is an appropriate way to call another station on a repeater if you know the other station's call sign?

1. Wait for the station to call you

2. Say your call sign first

3. Say the station's call sign then identify with your call sign

4. Transmit a test signal before calling

The correct answer is: Say the station's call sign then identify with your call sign

When calling another station on a repeater and you know their call sign, the appropriate way to initiate communication is to say the other station's call sign followed by your own call sign. This method is consistent with proper operating procedures in amateur radio. By stating the call sign of the station you wish to contact first, you immediately identify to all users of the repeater that you are trying to reach a specific operator. This is courteous and helps in ensuring clarity in communication, especially in busy or crowded repeater environments. After mentioning the other station’s call sign, you then identify yourself, which fulfills the requirement of identifying your own call sign as mandated by FCC regulations. This approach is preferred for establishing a clear contact and represents proper etiquette in amateur radio, facilitating effective communication among operators.