Q Codes
Q-Codes
This post is a test for a quickly searchable (via the theme used) reference of Q-Codes2 3, with a focus on their use in amateur radio1. They may also be referred to as “Q Signals”5.
Morse code is the focus, they originated when it was the only show in town. However some q-codes seeped into voice transmissions and have become commonplace. (Overuse in voice not recommended.)
ITU Q Codes (subset)
When using q-codes, they may be a statement, or a question. Various modifiers may be used to clarify when a statement, a question or an affirmative / negative reply 1
The QOA to QQZ series are reserved for the maritime mobile service.
Here below is a subset, which can probably be further trimmed for common-use codes.
- Those marked with “H” are in scope for the HAREC exam 6
QR*
| QR Code | Meaning | Use Q/S | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| QRA | Station name/call. | What is it / It is. | |
| QRB | Our intra station distance | What is it / It is. | |
| QRD | (travelling) Journey Source & Destination | What is it / It is. | |
| QRE | (travelling) ETA / est time of arrival | What is it / It is. | |
| QRF | (travelling) return to (place) | Are you / Please do. | |
| QRG | Exact frequency (kHz,MHz, etc) | What is it / It is. | y, a freq |
| QRH | Frequency varing | Is my / Yours is | |
| QRI | Transmission Tone | 1-good to 3-bad | |
| QRK H | Signals Readability | 1-bad to 5-good | |
| QRL | Busy Transmitting | Are you / I am (with | |
| QRM H | Interference (huMan) | 1-nil to 5-extreme | y |
| QRN H | Static (Natural) | 1-nil to 5-extreme | y |
| QRO H | Transmitter Power Increase. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QRP H | Transmitter Power Decrease. | Shall I / Please do. | y, low power |
| QRQ | Speed up. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QRS | Slow down. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QRT H | Stop sending. | Shall I / Please do. | y, going off-line/off-air |
| QRU | Messages for me. | Have u / I Have. | |
| QRV H | Ready. | Are u / I am | y |
| QRX H | Call Again. | Will I / I Will | y |
| QRZ H | Caller. (you are qrz by | Who is / I am | y, who’s calling |
QS*
| QS Code | Meaning/Use | Use Q/S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| QSA | Signal Strength. | 1-terrible to 5-fab | |
| QSB H | Signal Fading. | Is it / It is | y |
| QSG | Send at time. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QSK | Break in on transmission. | May I / Please do. | |
| QSL H | Acknowledge Receipt. | Do you / Yes I do. | y |
| QSM | Message Repeat. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QSN | Heard Station. | Did I / Yes I did. | |
| QSO H | Communicate with. | Will you / Yes I will. | y, a contact |
| QSP | Relay Message. | Will you / Yes I will. | |
| QSQ | Doctor. | Have u / I Have. | |
| QSR | Calling Freq Repeat. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QSS | Working Freq. | What will u use / I will use | |
| QSU | Reply on this Freq. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QSW | Send on this Freq. | Will you / I will (send on …) | |
| QSX | Listen on this Freq. | Will you / I will (listen on …) | |
| QSY H | Change Frequency | Shall I / Please do. (to …) | y |
| QSZ | Send each word >1. | Shall I / Please do. |
QT*
| QT Code | Meaning/Use | Use Q/S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| QTA | Cancel Message. | Shall I / Please do. | |
| QTC | Message count to send. | How many have u / I have | |
| QTH H | Position Lat/Lon. | What is it / It is. | y, location |
| QTI | Course TRUE in degrees. | What is it / It is. | |
| QTJ | Speed. | What is it / It is. | |
| QTK | Speed. (aircraft) | What is it / It is. | |
| QTL | Heading TRUE. | What is it / It is. | |
| QTM | Heading MAgnetic. | What is it / It is. | |
| QTR | Time. UTC | What is it / It is. | |
| QTU | Operating Times. | When do u / I operate at | |
| QTX | Remain open for further comms. | Will you / Yes I will. | |
| QTZ | Continuing the search (emrgncy) | Are you / I am |
QU*
(QU* omitted, emergency, search and rescue related)
References
This post is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 by the author.