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:
- General Codes, second letter of which is R, S, T or U. (Some used by Amateur Radio operators).
- Maritime Service Codes, second letter of which is O, P or Q.
- Aeronautical Codes, second letter of which is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M or N.
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 ... |