CQ CQ CQ Mystery Cache

In the U.S., The FCC regulates Licensing of Ham Radio Stations. At the time this cache was published, there were 3 classes of licenses. With each higher class, you have more Privileges and frequencies you can use. There is one catch; you must pass an exam to get your license. When you pass your exam, you are issued a "CALLSIGN," Such as the callsign you hear during the commercial break for your favorite radio station.

Remember the movie “Contact?” In the beginning, the little girl was calling “CQ,” the international code for, “I would like to talk; is there anyone there?” Then you heard a reply from the speaker and from that reply the girl determined where in the world, or in her case, in the U.S. the person on the other end was from.

When we got home after passing our exams, we turned on the radio, called “CQ” and were surprised when we got an answer from a ham in Pennsylvania. He said he’d just passed his exam too, which he had to go take in Maryland.

After chatting a few moments, we picked up several voices calling, “CQ, CQ, new ham operator.” Seemed everyone wanted a chance to talk to the new hams. The calls were from Delaware, Minnesota and Texas. That was pretty cool. Then a radio operator in West Virginia told us to QSY to a different frequency, where we were able to talk to fellow hams in Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont and Arizona. We were hoping we’d chat with someone from Rhode Island – as long as we were getting people from that part of the country, but no dice.

Finally we decided to sign off for the night, but before we did we heard another “CQ, CQ.” It was a gal that said she was glad to hear another female ham in Mrs. TSC. She was interesting as she said she was calling from New Hampshire, but was originally from Colorado, and now lived in Washington.

Finally we really had to turn of the radio for the night, but not before talking to one last ham in New York. It was amazing to talk to people in so many different states all in one evening!

You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.