DX Code Of Conduct

The  Canton Area Radio Emergency Services (CARES) radio club prides itself in having licensed Amateur members who follow  good operating and communication practices. DX or not, members are highly encouraged  to follow the DX Code of Conduct. About half of these items are actually  not only guidelines, but in fact are part of the FCC Part 97 regulations which can be viewed here.  In other words, items amateur operators have already agreed to abide by  when signing for their amateur radio license. Therefore, they are actually  our rules! Please see below for a friendly reminder of these items.

From the original author of the DX Code of Conduct, Randy Johnson, W6SJ: "As a reference  for myself, and for all those engaged in amateur radio, here is a copy  of the DX code of conduct. You are encouraged to copy it wherever you  like. To make things clearer, I numbered each rule of conduct and  highlighted the most important parts."

1. I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.
2. I will only call, if I can copy the DX station properly.
3. I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station’s call sign before calling.
4. I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.
5. I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.
6. I will always send my full call sign.
7. I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.
8. I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.
9. I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.
10. I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine.
11. When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.
12. I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.
13. I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.

We encourage all radio operators (GMRS, CB, Commercial, Public Safety, Marine, Military, etc) that are members of our club to follow these same code of conduct rules when communicating over their two-way radios.