In the realm of ham radio communication, understanding the language of Q codes is akin to holding a passport to a global community. Initially devised by the British government in the early 20th century to facilitate maritime wireless communication, Q codes have since been adopted by amateur radio operators, or ‘hams,’ worldwide as a succinct and universal language. This post explores the comprehensive list of these abbreviations, serving as a guide to ham radio enthusiasts.
Origins of Q Codes
The inception of Q codes can be traced back to 1912, when the British government, aiming to streamline and simplify maritime communication, established a set of three-letter codes, all beginning with the letter ‘Q.’ Each code was designed to convey a specific question or statement, thus allowing wireless operators to communicate quickly and efficiently, even under challenging conditions.
While originally employed for Morse code operations, Q codes have found their place in voice transmissions and are now an integral part of the ham radio lexicon.
Understanding Q Codes
A Q code consists of three letters starting with ‘Q,’ and depending on the context, can be either a question or a statement.
For example, the Q code ‘QRL’ in a question form would be “Are you busy?” However, when used as a statement, ‘QRL’ would mean “I am busy.” It is essential to note that while some Q codes are used frequently in amateur radio, others are more common in specific areas such as maritime or aviation communication.
Key Q Codes in Ham Radio
Let’s explore some commonly used Q codes in ham radio communication:
- QRL: Indicates whether a frequency is in use. If asked as a question, it means “Is this frequency in use?” and as a statement, it means “This frequency is in use.”
- QRZ: Used to ask for the calling station’s identity. “Who is calling me?”
- QRM: Refers to interference from other stations. If asked as a question, it means “Are you experiencing interference?” As a statement, it means “I am experiencing interference.”
- QRT: Signifies stopping a transmission or asking if the other party has stopped transmitting.
- QRU: Indicates no more messages to transmit.
- QTH: Asks for or provides the location.
- QSL: Can either question or confirm receipt of a message.
(Note: A more exhaustive list of Q codes can be found in the reference manuals of the International Telecommunication Union or other amateur radio handbooks. But below this article will be a list of some of the most common used Q codes.)
Like any specialized field, ham radio communication comes with its own set of jargon, codes, and abbreviations, of which Q codes form a significant part. While they may seem daunting at first, understanding and using these codes can greatly enhance your efficiency and enjoyment of ham radio communication, allowing you to connect with fellow enthusiasts across the globe seamlessly.
So next time you’re on the air, remember – a Q code is not just a combination of letters. It’s a testament to the rich history of radio communication and a tool that unites a diverse community of amateur radio operators worldwide. Tune in, speak in Q, and keep the airwaves alive with your words.
Here are some of the most commonly used Q codes that I have come across.
Now before some of you think my list is inadequate, I would like to refer back to the name of this website. “Ham Radio Rookie“. I am sure I have missed some and some that may not be needed here. So be polite and in the comments section below let me know what I have missed or what I have used that is pointless. Also a explanation helps as well.
| Q Code | Question Form | Statement Form |
|---|---|---|
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy. |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | |
| QRM | Do you have interference? | I have interference. |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static. |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? | Decrease power. |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Send faster. |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly. |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending. |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRX | When will you call me again? | I will call you again at… |
| QRY | What is my turn? | Your turn is numbered… |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals? | The strength of your signals is… |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt. |
| QSO | Can you communicate with … direct or by relay? | I can communicate with … direct (or by relay through …). |
| QSY | Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? | Change to transmission on another frequency. |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is … |
Note that context is critical with Q codes. The question or statement form is determined by the syntax of the transmission. The first meaning given is the interrogative form (when asking a question), and the second is the declarative form (when making a statement).
And finally the exhaustive list of Q codes:
| Q Code | Question Form | Statement Form |
| QRA | What is the name of your station? | The name of my station is… |
| QRB | How far are you from my station? | I am … km from you. |
| QRC | By what authority are you operating? | I am operating by authority of… |
| QRD | Where are you bound and where are you coming from? | I am bound… from… |
| QRE | What is your estimated time of arrival at… (or over…) | My estimated time of arrival is… |
| QRF | Are you returning to… | I am returning to… |
| QRG | What is my exact frequency? | Your exact frequency is… |
| QRH | Does my frequency vary? | Your frequency varies. |
| QRI | How is the tone of my transmission? | The tone of your transmission is… |
| QRJ | Are you receiving me badly? | I cannot receive you, your signal is too weak. |
| QRK | What is the intelligibility of my signals? | The intelligibility of your signals is… |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy. |
| QRM | Do you have interference? | I have interference. |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static. |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? | Decrease power. |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Send faster. |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly. |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending. |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRW | Shall I inform … that you are calling on … kHz/MHz? | Please inform … that I am calling on … kHz/MHz. |
| QRX | When will you call me again? | I will call you again at… |
| QRY | What is my turn? | Your turn is numbered… |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals? | The strength of your signals is… |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |
| QSC | Are you a cargo vessel? | I am a cargo vessel. |
| QSD | Is my keying defective? | Your keying is defective. |
| QSE | What is the estimated drift of the survival craft? | The estimated drift of the survival craft is … |
| QSF | Have you effected rescue? | I have effected rescue. |
| QSG | Shall I send … telegrams (or messages) at a time? | Send … telegrams (or messages) at a time. |
| QSH | Are you able to home on your D/F equipment? | I am able to home on my D/F equipment. |
| QSI | Will you inform … that I have been unable to break in? | I will inform … that I have been unable to break in. |
| QSJ | What is the charge to be collected per word to … including your international telegraph charge? | The charge to be collected per word to … including my international telegraph charge is… |
| QSK | Can you hear me between your signals? | I can hear you between my signals. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt. |
| QSM | Shall I repeat the last telegram (or message) which I sent you? | Repeat the last telegram (or message) which you sent me. |
| QSN | Did you hear me (or … ) on … kHz/MHz? | I did hear you (or …) on … kHz/MHz. |
| QSO | Can you communicate with … direct or by relay? | I can communicate with … direct (or by relay through …). |
| QSP | Will you relay to …? | I will relay to … |
| QSQ | Have you a doctor on board? (or is … on board?) | I have a doctor on board (or … is on board). |
| QSR | Do you want me to repeat my call? | Please repeat your call; I did not hear you. |
| QSS | What working frequency will you use? | I will use the working frequency … kHz/MHz. |
| QST | Here is a broadcast message to all amateurs. | |
| QSU | Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on … kHz/MHz)? | Send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on … kHz/MHz). |
| QSV | Shall I send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on … kHz/MHz)? | Send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on … kHz/MHz). |
| QSW | Will you send on this frequency (or on … kHz/MHz)? | I am going to send on this frequency (or on … kHz/MHz). |
| QSX | Will you listen to … on … kHz/MHz? | I am listening to … on … kHz/MHz. |
| QSY | Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? | Change to transmission on another frequency. |
| QSZ | Shall I send each word or group more than once? | Send each word or group twice (or … times). |
| QTA | Shall I cancel telegram (or message) number …? | Cancel telegram (or message) number … |
| QTB | Do you agree with my counting of words? | I do not agree with your counting of words. I will repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group. |
| QTC | How many telegrams (or messages) have you to send? | I have … telegrams (or messages) for you (or for …). |
| QTE | What is my true bearing from you? | Your true bearing from me is … degrees. |
| QTF | Will you give me the position of my station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations of the net? | The position of your station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations of the net is … |
| QTG | Will you send two dashes of 10 seconds each followed by your call sign (repeated … times) (on … kHz/MHz)? | I am going to send two dashes of 10 seconds each followed by my call sign (repeated … times) (on … kHz/MHz). |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is … |
| QTI | What is your true track? | My true track is … degrees. |
| QTJ | What is your speed (in …)? | My speed (in …) is … |
| QTK | What is the speed of your aircraft in relation to the surface of the Earth? | The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the Earth is … km/h (or … m/s or … knots). |
| QTL | What is your true heading? | My true heading |
Remember, these are the meanings set out by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In practice, especially in amateur radio, some of these codes may not be used or may have slightly different meanings.
No… Not comprehensive but a good listing of commonly used ones.
Thanks Greg. Can you lead me to an online source that is comprehensive so I can update this article?
Yes, we used QRUQ, QALQ, etc. in the FAA Flight Service Station (FSS) for Search and Rescue of overdue aircraft.