The Q Code
Newcomers are often puzzled by the codes and abbreviations used by radio amateurs. These codes make international communication possible with operators with little knowledge of English and they save time conveying information.
A full listing of the Q Code can be found in publications of the International Telecommunication Union.
Listed below are some Q-codes used by radio amateurs.
The Q Code is used in two ways - with or without a question mark. Sometimes a figure, a callsign or a frequency, accompanies a Q-code. For example:
QTC?
QTC3
QRG
QRH
QRK
QRL
QRM
QRN
QRO
QRP
QRQ
QRS
QRT
QRW
QRX
QRZ
QSA
QSB
QSK
QSL
QSO
QSY
QTC
QTH
(the question mark) means "have you any messages for me?".
means "I have three messages for you".
Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ...)? Your exact frequency (or that of ...) is ... kHz
Does my frequency vary? Your frequency varies
How intelligible are my transmissions? The intelligibility of your signal is ... (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Are you busy? I am busy
Am I being interfered with? You are being interfered with
Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static
Shall I increase power? Increase power
Shall I decrease power? Decrease power
Shall I send faster? Send faster
Shall I send slower? Send slower
Shall I stop sending? Stop sending
Shall I inform ... that you are calling him on ... kHz? Please inform ... that I am calling on ... kHz
When will you call me again? I will call you again at ... hours.
Who is calling me? You are being called by ...
What is my signal strength? Your signal strength is ... (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading
Can you hear me between your signals? I can hear you between my signals
Please acknowledge receipt. I acknowledge receipt (See OPERATING for examples)
Can you communicate with ... ? I can communicate with ...
Shall I shift frequency? Shift frequency to ...
Have you any messages? I have ... messages for you
What is your location? My location is ...
