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Ham Radio · General

Ham Radio Contesting and DXing Basics

Contest exchange formats, logging, and long distance DX operating techniques for amateur radio operators.

28 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

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What does RST stand for in amateur radio?
Readability, Strength, Tone
What is a contest exchange?
The minimum required information exchanged during a contest QSO, typically call sign, RST report, serial number, and contest-specific data
What is a serial number in a contest exchange?
A sequential number assigned to count each QSO made by a station during the contest
What is a multiplier in a contest?
A countable factor beyond QSO count used to calculate score, such as states, countries, or zones worked
What does DX mean in ham radio?
Distance, or long-distance communication, typically international or intercontinental
What is a QSL card?
A postcard confirming a radio contact, sent between operators to verify communication took place
What is a DXpedition?
An expedition by operators to a rare or remote country to operate from that DXCC entity and make contacts worldwide
What is a pile-up in DX operating?
A situation where many stations attempt to contact a rare or desirable DX station simultaneously, creating RF chaos
What is a DXCC entity?
A country or territory counted separately for the DXCC (DX Century Club) award, based on political or geographic divisions
What propagation mode allows long-distance HF communication via the F-layer?
Skywave propagation, enabling ionospheric reflection for intercontinental contacts
What does the solar flux index predict?
Ionospheric conditions and HF propagation quality, higher values generally indicate better propagation
What does the K-index measure?
The level of geomagnetic disturbance, used to predict HF propagation (higher K-index indicates worse propagation)
What is a DX window?
A time period designated by contest rules or DXing etiquette during which a band is primarily for DX activity
What is a DXcluster?
A network system used to spot and share information about rare DX stations and propagation conditions in near real-time
What is the Cabrillo format?
A standardized plain-text file format for submitting amateur radio contest logs to contest organizers

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