What Are Q-Codes And Are They Lawful
The international Q-codes are a collection of abbreviations that was created to simplify Morse code communications.
Each individual code is comprised of three letters always prefixed with a “Q” hence the name of “Q-codes”.
The codes are structured in such a way so that it may be used as either a question or an answer (or statement).
The Amateur radio Q-Codes are only a small subset of the full international Q-code set which includes codes for nautical and aeronautical purposes.
In the UK, the radio amateur licence states that the use of codes and cyphers are not to be used, however to dispel any confusion, this does not include the use of Q-Codes or a few other “shorthand” codes which are in common use, primarily in CW. Instead, the rule refers to codes used between individuals to hide the meaning of their transmissions.
Amateur radio informal Q-codes
Quite often Q-codes are used by amateurs in an informal manner, the original meaning being slightly altered. Scroll down for the original version of the Q-codes.
Q Code | Formal meaning |
---|---|
QRA | Name |
QRB | Distance |
QRG | Frequency |
QRK | Intelligibility |
QRL | Busy |
QRM | Interference |
QRN | Noise |
QRO | High power |
QRP | Low power |
QRQ | High speed CW |
QRS | Low speed CW |
QRSS | Very low speed CW |
QRT | Shut down the station |
QRV | Ready |
QRX | Stand by |
QRZ? | Who is calling me? |
QSB | Fading |
QSD | Defective keying |
QSK | Break in |
QSL | Confirmation or card to confirm contact |
QSO | Radio contact |
QSY | Change frequency |
QTC | Message |
QTH | Location |
QTR | Time |
International Q-Codes
The original set of Q-codes are listed below.
Code | Used as a question | Used as an answer or statement |
---|---|---|
QRA | What is the name (or callsign) of your station? | The name (or callsign) of my station is … |
QRB | How far are you from my station? | The distance between our stations is … nautical miles (or km) |
QRG | Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of …)? | Your exact frequency (or that of … ) is … kHz (or MHz) |
QRH | Does my frequency vary? | Your frequency varies |
QRI | How is the tone of my transmission? | The tone of your transmission is (1: good, 2: variable 3: bad) |
QRK | What is the readability of my signals (or those of …)? | The readability of your signals (or those of …) is … (1: bad … 5: excellent) |
QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy. (or I am busy with … ) Please do not interfere |
QRM | Do you have interference? | I have interference |
QRN | Are you troubled by static noise? | I am troubled by static noise |
QRO | Shall I increase transmit power? | Please increase transmit power |
QRP | Shall I decrease transmit power? | Please decrease transmit power |
QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Please send faster (… words per minute) |
QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Please send more slowly (… words per minute) |
QRT | Shall I cease or suspend operation? | I am suspending operation |
QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you |
QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready |
QRX | Shall I standby? / When will you call me again? | Please standby. / I will call you again at … (hours) on … kHz (or MHz) |
QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by … |
QSA | What is the strength of my signals (or those of … )? | The strength of your signals (or those of …) is … (1: very weak .. 5: very strong). |
QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading |
QSD | Is my keying defective? | Your keying is defective |
QSK | Can you hear me between your signals (while transmitting), and if so can I break in on your transmission? | I can hear you between my signals (while transmitting); break in on my transmission |
QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt |
QSM | Shall I repeat the last message which I sent you, or some previous message? | Repeat the last message which you sent me |
QSN | Did you hear me (or …) on … kHz (or MHz)? | I did hear you (or …) on … kHz (or MHz) |
QSO | Can you communicate with … direct or by relay? | I can communicate with … direct (or by relay through …) |
QSP | Will you relay a message to …? | I will relay a message to … . |
QSS | What working frequency will you use? | I will use … kHz (or MHz) |
QSU | Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on … kHz (or MHz))? | Please send or reply on this frequency (or on … kHz (or MHz)). |
QSV | Shall I send a series of "V" on this frequency? | Please send a series of "V" on this frequency |
QSX | Will you listen to … on … kHz (or MHz)? | I am listening to … on … kHz (or MHz). |
QSY | Shall I change transmission frequency (to … kHz (or MHz))? | Please change transmission frequency (to … kHz (or MHz)). |
QSZ | Shall I send each word or group more than once? | Send each word or group twice (or … times). |
QTC | How many telegrams (messages) have you to send? | I have … telegrams (messages) for you (or for …). |
QTH | What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)? | My position is … latitude, … longitude |
QTR | What is the correct time? | The correct time is … hours |