What is the DX Code of Conduct?

Imagine that on your daily commute to work, every driver decided to ignore traffic laws and cast aside common courtesies. Pass on the right—why not? Bump a subcompact into a guardrail—all’s fair. Cut off that Porsche—they probably deserved it! The result, of course, would be chaos. Now apply this to a DX pileup. Without everyone’s cooperation and understanding of operating principles, pileups would become the equivalent of on-air road rage. As members of the great Amateur Radio community, we should constantly strive to make the experience as positive as possible for everyone involved.

With this in mind, we present our Word of the Day—the DX Code of Conduct:

• I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.
• I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.
• I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station’s call sign before calling.
• 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.
• I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.
• I will always send my full call sign.
• I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.
• I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.
• I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.
• I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine. When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.
• I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.
• I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.