Q codes

Jan 24, 2012

 

These international Q signals mean the same thing in all languages and are the ones whose meanings most often need to be expressed with brevity and clearness in CW amateur work.

Q abbreviations take the form of questions only when followed by a question mark.

QRG

Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ___)? Your exact frequency (or that of ___) is ___ kHz.

QRH

Does my frequency vary? Your frequency varies.

QRI

How is the tone of my transmission? The tone of your transmission is ___ (1. Good; 2. Variable; 3. Bad).

QRK

What is the intelligibility of my signals (or those of ___)? The intelligibility of your signals (or those of ___) is ___ (1. Bad; 2. Poor; 3. Fair; 4. Good; 5. Excellent).

QRL

Are you busy? I am busy (or I am busy with ___). Please do not interfere.

QRM

Is my transmission being interfered with? Your transmission is being interfered with ___ (1. Nil; 2. Slightly; 3. Moderately; 4. Severely; 5. Extremely).

QRN

Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static ___. (Usually, QRM is man-made interference and QRN is natural interference.)

QRO

Shall I increase power? Increase power.

QRP

Shall I decrease power? Decrease power.

QRQ

Shall I send faster? Send faster (___ WPM).

QRS

Shall I send more slowly? Send more slowly (___ WPM).

QRT

Shall I stop sending? Stop sending.

QRU

Have you anything for me? I have nothing for you.

QRV

Are you ready? I am ready.

QRW

Shall I inform ___ that you are calling him on ___ kHz? Please inform ___ that I am calling him on ___ kHz.

QRX

When will you call me again? I will call you again at ___ hours (on ___ kHz).

QSA

What is the strength of my signals (or those of ___)? The strength of your signals is ___ (1. Scarcely perceptible; 2. Weak; 3. Fairly good; 4. Good; 5. Very good).

QSB

Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading. (Often mistakenly used by PSK operators to mean "I have interference.)

QSD

Are my signals defective? Your signals are defective.

QSG

Shall I send ___ messages at a time? Send ___ messages at a time.

QSK

Can you hear me between your signals and if so can I break in on your transmission? I can hear you between my signals; break in on my transmission.

QSL

Can you acknowledge receipt? I am acknowledging receipt.

QSM

Shall I repeat the last message which I sent you, or some previous message? Repeat the last message you sent me (or message(s) number(s) ___).

QSN

Did you hear me (or ___) on ___ kHz? I did hear you (or ___) on ___ kHz.

QSO

Can you communicate with ___ direct or by relay? I can communicate with ___ direct (or by relay through ___).

QSP

Will you relay to ___? I will relay to ___.

QSU

Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on ___ kHz)? Send or reply on this frequency (or ___ kHz).

QSV

Shall I send a series of Vs on this frequency (or ___ kHz)? Send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on ___ kHz).

QSW

Will you send on this frequency (or on ___ kHz)? I am going to send on this frequency (or on ___ kHz).

QSX

Will you listen to ___ on ___ kHz? I am listening to ___ on ___ kHz.

QSY

Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? Change to transmission on another frequency (or on ___ kHz).

QSZ

Shall I send each word or group more than once? Send each word or group two (or ___ times).

QTA

Shall I cancel message number ___? Cancel message number ___.

QTB

Do you agree with my counting of words? I do not agree with your counting of words; I will repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group.

QTC

How many messages have you to send? I have ___ messages for you (or for ___).

QTH

What is your location? My location is ___.

QTR

What is the correct time? The time is ___.

Special Q signal adopted by ARRL:

QST

General call preceding a message atdressed to all amateurs and ARRL members.

QRRR

Official ARRL "land SOS". A distress call for emergency use only by a station in an emergency situation.

An unofficial Q signal:

QLF

Your code sounds as if it is being sent by your left foot!