The Q Code 

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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?    (note the question mark) means "have you any messages for me?".

QTC3    means "I have three messages for you".

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

QRK     How intelligible are my transmissions? The intelligibility of your signal is ... (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

QRL     Are you busy? I am busy

QRM    Am I being interfered with? You are being interfered with

QRN     Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static

QRO     Shall I increase power? Increase power

QRP     Shall I decrease power? Decrease power                                       

QRQ     Shall I send faster? Send faster

QRS     Shall I send slower? Send slower

QRT     Shall I stop sending? Stop sending

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

QRX     When will you call me again? I will call you again at ... hours.

QRZ     Who is calling me? You are being called by ...

QSA     What is my signal strength? Your signal strength is ... (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

QSB     Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading

QSK     Can you hear me between your signals? I can hear you between my signals

QSL     Please acknowledge receipt.  I acknowledge receipt                 (See OPERATING for examples)

QSO     Can you communicate with ... ? I can communicate with ...

QSY     Shall I shift frequency? Shift frequency to ...

QTC     Have you any messages? I have ... messages for you

QTH     What is your location? My location is ...

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