CQ DX 11 ... a Ham Poem
April 1962 Popular Electronics

April 1962 Popular Electronics Table of Contents Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Popular Electronics, published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

David Moore's 1962 poem "CQ DX 11" which appeared in Popular Electronics magazine, captures the vibrant culture of amateur radio operation during CB radio's golden age. The poem meticulously documents the technical jargon and operational procedures of ham radio enthusiasts like "Gus," celebrating homemade equipment, signal reports, and international contacts ("DX hauls"). The final stanza's twist reveals regulatory intervention - "The FCC has seen to that" - hinting at growing government oversight that would eventually constrain the freewheeling CB community. This work perfectly encapsulates the early 1960s amateur radio scene when citizens band radio represented cutting-edge communication technology and a genuine subculture. The poem serves as both technical documentation and cultural artifact, preserving the specific vernacular and practices of radio operators before excessive regulation and later technological innovations diminished this grassroots communications movement. Moore's closing appeal - "only YOU can save CB" - reflects the community's awareness of its fragile position between technological freedom and government control.

BTW, "CQ DX 11" roughly translates to: "Calling all distant stations on the 11-meter band."

CQ DX 11 Poem

CQ DX 11

By David Moore

"Okay, fine," said the CB fan.
"Thanks a lot for the call, of man.
Real good signal; S-9 plus;
And by the way, the handle's Gus.

"The QTH is Maplewood,
And the elevation's pretty good.
The height's just right for long-range calls,
And our logbook shows some DX hauls.

"The entire station here's home-brew,
With VOX, and key, and a phone patch, too!
Certainly think this band is swell,
And by the way, please QSL.

"Well, guess I'll turn it back to you.
Please tie the ribbons on this chew.
It's 1800 GMT,
And I have a sked with a VE 3 ...."

So the QSO finished here.
Gus comes out some time next year.
No more will ol' Gus chew the fat -
The FCC has seen to that.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only YOU can save CB.