A 'Q-code' consists of three letters starting with the letter 'Q'. Q-codes are devised to facilitate faster communication in Morse code. Instead of sending a long sentence, the amateur radio operator can just send a combination of three letters to represent a long sentence. There are hundreds of Q-codes used by the marine radio operators, but an amateur radio operator needs to learn only a few of them. The Q-code which is not followed by a 'question mark' is a 'statement' and the one which is followed by a 'question mark' is to request some information.
The Q-codes
QRA? What is the name of your station?
QRA The name of my station is .........
QRG? Will you tell me
my exact frequency (or, that of ..............)?
QRG Your exact frequency (or, that of ...........) is .........kHz (or ........MHz).
QRH? Does my
frequency vary?
QRH Your frequency varies.
QRI? How is the tone
of my transmission?
QRI The tone of your transmission is: (1) Good. (2) Variable. (3) Bad.
QRK? What is the
readability of my signals (or, those of..............)?
QRK Readability is: (1) Unreadable. (2) Readable now and then. (3) Readable with
difficulty. (4) Readable. (5) Perfectly readable.
QRL? Are you busy?
QRL I am busy (or, busy with .........). Please do not interfere.
QRM? Are you being
interfered with?
QRM I am being interfered with.
QRN? Are you troubled
by static noise?
QRN I am troubled by static noise.
QRQ? Shall I send
faster?
QRQ Send faster (....... wpm)
QRS? Shall I send more slowly?
QRS Send more slowly.
QRT? Shall I stop
sending?
QRT Stop sending
QRU? Have you
anything for me?
QRU I have nothing for you.
QRV? Are you ready?
QRV I am ready.
QRW? Shall I inform
....... that you are calling him on
kHz?
QRW Please inform .......That I am calling him on
.. kHz.
QRX? When will you
call me again?
QRX I will call you again at .............hours.
QRZ? Who is calling
me?
QRZ You are being called by.
QSA? What is the
strength of my signals (or those of ...............?
QSA Your signals are (1) Scarcely perceptible. (2) Weak. (3) Fairly good. (4) Good. (5)
Very good.
QSB? Are my signals fading?
QSB Your signals are fading.
QSL? Can you
acknowledge receipt?
QSL I am acknowledging receipt.
QSO? Can you communicate with............ direct or by relay?
QSO I can communicate with.............Direct or by relay through
.
QSU? Shall I send or
reply on this frequency (or, on .............kHz)(with emissions of class...........)?
QSU Send or reply on this frequency (or, on ............KHz) (with emissions of
class............).
QSV? Shall I send a
series of 'V's on this frequency (or,......... KHz).
QSV Send a series of 'V's on this frequency (or, .........kHz).
QSW? Will you send on
this frequency (or, .........kHz)(with emissions of class........)?
QSW I am going to send on this frequency (or, ........kHz) (with emissions of class
........).
QSX? Will you listen
to .........(call-sign) on .........kHz?
QSX I am listening to .......... (call-sign) on ..........kHz.
QSY? Shall I change
my transmission to another frequency?
QSY Change your transmission to another frequency.
QSZ? Shall I send
each word or group more than once?
QSZ Send each word or group twice (or, .......... times).
QTC? How many
telegrams have you to send?
QTC I have........... telegrams for you (or, for ..............).
QTH? What is your
position in latitude and longitude (or, according to any other indication)
QTH My position is ........latitude ...............longitude (or, according to any other
indication).
QTR? What is the
correct time?
QTR The correct time is ...............hours.
QUM? Is the distress
traffic ended?
QUM The distress traffic is ended.