Those Mysterious "Q-codes"
Back in the early days of amateur radio, pretty much all contacts were in Morse code (or "CW"). A set of common abbreviations, beginning with the letter "Q" developed as a type of short hand between ham operators. Today, most contacts are in "phone" (voice mode) or "data" (computer-generated transmissions like PSK31) but occasionally the old "Q-codes" pop up in a conversation. Most emergency nets strongly discourage the use of "Q-codes" both because a person calling in with an emergency may not be an amateur radio operator, and plain language will eliminate any confusion. With that caveat, there are still ham operators out there using "Q-codes", so here's the list for reference:
The Q-codes
QRA? What is the name (call-sign) of your station?
QRA The name (call-sign) 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 radiograms have you to send?
QTC I have........... radiograms 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.
.... and no,
QTF? is NOT a valid Q-code!
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Those Mysterious "Q-codes"
