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Amateur Radio Q Codes

International Q Code is an abbreviated way to exchange a great deal of information with a simple code. Sometimes spelled as "qcode".

The Q Code consists of three-letter groups with each group having a specific meaning. Each group begins with the letter Q. Auxiliary letter groups or numbers are also used to help define the information that is need or passed with certain Q Code three-letter groups.

The International Q Code can be arranged in three types of code groups according to the second letter in the three-letter Q Code.

The Q Code comprises:

Presented in the table below are some common Q-Codes used by radio amateurs. These codes were found on the inside cover of a 1965 ARRL Amateur Radio Station Log Book. The ARRL is the American Radio Relay League, the American organisation that represents amateur radio operators. The older kilocycle has been replace with kiloHertz.

Coloured Q Codes in the list below are the most commonly used. A question is indicated by the use of the question mark, "?", after the Q signal.

Signal Question Answer, Advice or Order
QRG Will you indicate my exact frequency in kiloHertz? Your frequency is ... kHz.
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.
QRJ Are you receiving me badly? Are my signals weak? I cannot receive you. Your signals are too weak.
QRK What is the legibility of my signals (1 to 5)? The legibility of your signals is ... (1 to 5).
QRL Are you busy? I am busy (or busy with...). Please do not interfere.
QRM Are you being interfered with? I am being interfered with.
QRN Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static.
QRO Must I increase power? Increase power.
QRP Must I decrease power? Decrease power.
QRQ Must I send faster? Send faster ... (words per min.).
QRS Must I send more slowly? Transmit more slowly ... (w.p.m.).
QRT Must I stop transmission? Stop transmission.
QRU Have you anything for me? I have nothing for you.
QRV Are you ready? I am ready.
QRW Must I advise ... that you are calling him on ... kHz? Please advise ... that I am calling him on ... kHz.
QRX When will you call again? I will call you again at ... hours (on ... kHz.).
QRZ By whom am I being called? You are being called by ...
QSA What is the strength of my signals (1 to 5)? The strength of your signals is ... (1 to 5).
QSB Does the strength of my signals vary? The strength of your signals varies.
QSD Is my keying correct? Are my signals distinct? Your keying is incorrect; your signals are bad.
QSG Must I transmit ... telegrams (or one telegram) at a time? Transmit ... telegrams (or one telegram) at a time.
QSK Shall I continue the transmission of all my traffic? I can hear you between my signals. Continue: I shall interrupt you if necessary.
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt? I am acknowledging receipt.
QSM Shall I repeat the last telegram I sent you? Repeat the last telegram you sent me.
QSO Can you communicate with ... directly (or through...)? I can communicate with ... direct (or through...).
QSP Will you relay to ...? I will relay to ... free of charge.
QSV Shall I send a series of VVV...? Send a series of VVV.
QSX Will you listen for ... (call sign) on ... kHz? I am listening for ... on ... kHz.
QSY Shall I change to ... kiloHertz without changing the type of wave? Change to ... kHz. without changing type of wave.
QSZ Shall I send each word or group twice? Send each word or group twice.
QTA Shall I cancel nr ... as if it had not been sent? Cancel nr ... as if it had not been sent.
QTB Do you agree with my word count? I do not agree with your word count; I shall repeat the first letter of each word and the first figure of each number.
QTC How many telegrams have you to send? I have ... telegrams for you or for ...
QTH What is your position (location)? My position (location) is ...
QTR What is the exact time? The exact time is ...