ARRL Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following is good procedure when contacting another station in a radio contest?

1. Send a detailed personal message

2. Check-in multiple times for confirmation

3. Send only the minimum information needed for proper identification and the contest exchange

4. Wait for a reply before providing additional information

The correct answer is: Send only the minimum information needed for proper identification and the contest exchange

In the context of a radio contest, efficiency and clarity are paramount due to the high volume of operators and the fast-paced nature of the event. Sending only the minimum information needed serves this purpose effectively. In a contest, operators are typically trained to exchange specific pieces of information quickly to keep the contest moving smoothly. This usually includes identification of the operator's call sign and a specific contest exchange (which could involve scoring information or geographical location). Providing only the essentials helps streamline communication, reducing the chance of miscommunication and minimizing the time each contact takes. This allows both operators to quickly move on to the next exchange, maximizing their chances of making more contacts and thereby improving their contest score. In contrast, providing a detailed personal message, checking in multiple times for confirmation, or waiting too long for a reply before offering additional information would be less effective, as these actions could cause unnecessary delays and detract from the contest's fast-paced nature.