Q-Codes
The Q-Code was first developed in 1912 as a way to facilitate communications between maritime stations of different nationalities using Morse code or CW. The use of Q-Codes also allowed some lengthy messages to be shortened. To avoid confusion callsigns never begin with Q. Q-Codes are still used in CW contacts but have also found their way into voice communication.
Most Q-Codes can be used as either a question or an answer, and therefore can have a different meaning depending on whether a question mark is used (or not). The most common Q-Codes used on the Amateur bands are presented below (there may be others used in other services):
| Q-Code | Question | Answer/Statement |
|---|---|---|
| QRA | What is the name of your station? | The name of my station is .... |
| QRB | How far are you from my station? | The distance between our stations is .... (nm or km) |
| QRG | Will you tell me my exact frequency? | Your exact frequency is .... |
| QRH | Does my frequency vary? | Your frequency varies. |
| QRK | What is the itelligibility of my signals? | The intelligibility of your signals are (1-5) |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy (or busy with ...) |
| QRM | Are you troubled by interference? | I am troubled by interference (1-5) |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static (1-5) |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? | Decrease power / Operating at low 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 / Closing down. |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRX | When will you call me again? | I will call you again at ... on ... (freq) |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by ... |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signal? | The strength of your signal is (1-5) |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I acknowledge receipt. |
| QSO | Can you communicate with ... | I can/am communicat/ing with ... |
| QSP | Can you relay to ...? | I will relay to ... |
| QSX | Will you listen to ... on ... (freq)? | I am listening to ... on ... (freq) |
| QSY | Shall I change transmission frequency? | Please change transmission frequency. |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is ... |
| QUM | May I resume normal working? | Normal working may be resumed. |
NOTES:
“QTHR” is used to indicate the Amateur’s address appears in the ham callbook.
“QSO” is often used in voice communication to refer to a conversation with another station.
“QSL” is also used in voice communication to refer to the card sent to confirm you have made contact with a station.