Q Codes

The Q code is a standard collection of three-letter message encodings, all starting with the letter "Q"

It was first developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication, but later was also adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. Although Q codes were created when radio used Morse code exclusively, they continued to be used after the introduction of voice transmissions.

To avoid confusion, transmitter call signs have often been limited to restrict ones starting with "Q" or having a three-letter Q sequence.

Below are some of the common Q codes you may hear on the air, alot of which i have never heard spoken,but will know doubt be used more in morse code.

QRG - Exact frequency
QRI - Tone (T in the RST code)
QRK - Intelligibility (R in the RST code)
QRL - This frequency is busy.
QRM - Man-made interference
QRN - Natural interference
QRO - Increase power
QRP - decrease power
QRQ - Send faster
QRR - temporarily unavailable/away, please wait
QRRR - Distress call recommended by ARRL
QRS - Send slower
QRT - Stop sending
QRU - Have you anything for me?
QRV - I am ready
QRX - will call you again
QRZ - You are being called by ________
QSA - Signal strength
QSB - Fading of signal
QSD - Your keying is defective
QSK - Break-in
QSL - I Acknowledge receipt
QSM - Repeat last message
QSN - I heard you
QSO - A conversation
QSP - Relay
QST - General call to all stations
QSX - I am listening on ... frequency
QSY - Shift to transmit on ...
QTA - Disregard last message
QTC - Traffic
QTH - Location
QTR - Exact time

Copyright © R.Cook 2008.All rights reserved