*Question G2A11:
Generally, who should respond to a station in the contiguous 48 states calling “CQ DX”?*  

*Correct Answer is  C: Any stations outside the lower 48 states*  

### AI Response: (may contain errors)  

When a station in the contiguous 48 states calls "CQ DX," they are specifically seeking to make contact with stations outside of the lower 48 states. "DX" stands for "distance" or "distant stations," and in this context, it refers to stations that are geographically distant from the caller.

1. **Correct Answer: C: Any stations outside the lower 48 states**
   - The purpose of calling "CQ DX" is to establish communication with stations that are not in the immediate or local area, which, for a station in the contiguous 48 states, means stations outside of those states. This could include stations in Alaska, Hawaii, other countries, or territories.

2. **Why the other choices are incorrect:**
   - **A: Any caller is welcome to respond**  
     This is incorrect because the "CQ DX" call is specifically seeking distant stations, not just any caller.
   - **B: Only stations in Germany**  
     This is incorrect because "CQ DX" is not limited to a specific country; it includes any station outside the lower 48 states, not just Germany.
   - **D: Only contest stations**  
     This is incorrect because "CQ DX" is not limited to contesting. It is a general call for distant stations, regardless of whether a contest is occurring.

3. **Useful Rules of Thumb:**
   - "CQ DX" is a general call for long-distance communication, not limited to specific countries or contesting scenarios.
   - When you hear "CQ DX," consider the caller's location and respond if you are outside their local area, which, in this case, means outside the contiguous 48 states.