Question E2C11:
How should you generally identify your station when attempting to contact a DX station during a contest or in a pileup?  

Choices:  
A: Send your full call sign once or twice  
B: Send only the last two letters of your call sign until you make contact  
C: Send your full call sign and grid square  
D: Send the call sign of the DX station three times, the words “this is,” then your call sign three times    

Correct Answer is  A: Send your full call sign once or twice  

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Correct answer: A — Send your full call sign once or twice.

1) Why this is correct:
- In a contest or pileup, brevity and clarity are essential. The DX operator needs complete call signs to log correctly.
- Sending your full call sign once (or twice if QRM/QSB is heavy) gives the operator exactly what they need without wasting time.
- This practice aligns with good operating etiquette (DX Code of Conduct) and reduces busted calls.

2) Why the other choices are incorrect:
- B: Send only the last two letters of your call sign
  - Poor practice in pileups; multiple stations may share those letters, causing confusion and delays.
  - The DX can only work a complete call sign; partials waste time and increase errors.

- C: Send your full call sign and grid square
  - Unnecessary on HF DX and most contests; grid squares are generally relevant for VHF/UHF or specific contest formats.
  - Extra info slows the pileup.

- D: Send the DX call three times, “this is,” then your call three times
  - Overly long and inefficient; the DX knows their own call.
  - Clutters the pileup; standard practice is to give only your call, once or twice.

3) Useful rules of thumb:
- Give your complete call sign, once or twice: “KX1ABC” or “KX1ABC KX1ABC.”
- Use standard phonetics when needed for clarity; otherwise keep it short.
- Transmit only when the DX is listening for callers and leave gaps to hear instructions (e.g., “QRZ?,” “XX1?,” or split instructions).
- Never call with partials unless the DX specifically requests them (e.g., “station ending in ABC?”).