Morse Code Abbreviations and Prosigns
Morse operators rarely spell words out. They use short abbreviations and procedural signals that every operator understands, whatever their language. Tap any code to hear it.
Prosigns
A prosign is sent as one signal, with no gap between its letters, and is written with a line over the top. The International Morse code standard defines these: K (−·−) invitation to transmit, AR (·−·−·) end of transmission, AS (·−···) wait, SK (···−·−) end of work, HH (········) error, CT (−·−·−) starting signal and SN (···−·) understood. SOS (···−−−···) is the distress signal. In the translator, type a prosign in angle brackets, like <SK>, to send it as one signal.
A typical short contact
One station calls CQ CQ DE followed by its call sign and K: calling anyone, this is, over. The other replies with both call signs and KN: over to you only. They exchange a signal report such as RST 5NN (599 in cut numbers), their location (QTH) and name, and close with 73 (best regards) and SK. Very few words are spelled out, which is why operators with no common language can still hold a conversation.
Common Morse code abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Morse | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | All after (used after question mark to request a repetition) | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| AB | All before (similarly) | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| ADRS | Address | ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| ADS | Address | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| AGN | Again | operating signal | |
| ANT | Antenna | ||
| AR | End of transmission. | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| AS | Wait | operating signal | |
| BK | Break (to pause transmission of a message, say) | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| BN | All between | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| C | Yes; correct; affirmative | operating signal | |
| CFM | Confirm | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| CK | Check | ||
| CL | Closing (I am closing my station) | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| CP | Calling several stations (followed by the call signs of two or more stations, e.g. CP T4SRJ C5ADK for "calling stations T4SRJ and C5ADK") | operating signal | |
| CQ | Calling (calling all stations / any station) (do not follow with PLS or PSE; see LID) | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| CQD | All stations distress (used prior to replacement by SOS to let all operators know of an impending distress signal) | operating signal | |
| CS | Calling station (followed by the call sign of a particular station, e.g. CS F3TL for "calling station F3TL") | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| CS? | What call sign? (used with "?" to request a contact's call sign) | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| DE | From (or "this is") | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| DX | Long distance, foreign countries (sometimes refers to long distance contact) | ||
| ES | And / [ & ] / also / et | American Morse code | |
| FB | Good (literal abbr. "fine business") | Amateur radio slang; suspected euphemism | |
| FM | From (see DE) | operating signal | |
| FWD | Forward | ||
| I I | I say again; I repeat; ditto; alt. European: "<station> out". | ||
| K | Invitation to transmit | ITU-R M.1172, ITU-R M.1677-1 | |
| KN | Over to you; only the previously named station should respond (e.g. after K6PCH DE W1AW KN; only station K6PCH should reply to W1AW) | ITU-R M.1677-1 | |
| MSG | Prefix indicating a message to or from the master of a ship concerning its operation or navigation | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| N | No; nine | ||
| NIL | I have nothing to send you | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| NR | Number follows | operating signal | |
| OK | Okay | ITU-R M.1172, ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| OM | Old Man (any male radio operator or male spouse of radio operator, both regardless of age) | Amateur radio slang | |
| PLS | Please (not appropriate after CQ; see LID) | ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| PPR | Paper | ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| PSE | Please | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| PX | Prefix | ||
| R | Received as transmitted (origin of "Roger") | ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| RX | Receiver / Receive | ||
| RPT | Report / Repeat please / I repeat as follows | ITU-R M.1172, ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| RSN | Readability (1-5) / Strength (1-9) / Noise (1-9) | Not yet in widespread use | |
| RST | Signal report format (Readability / Signal Strength / Tone) | In universal amateur radio use | |
| SFR | So far (proword) | ||
| SIG | Signature | ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| SK | Out (prosign), end of contact | operating signal | |
| SK | Silent Key (a deceased radio amateur) | Amateur radio slang; from SK, the last signal received from a radio contact | |
| SVP | Please (French: "S'il vous plaît") | ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| SX | Dollars | Phillips Code | |
| THX | Thanks, Thank You | ||
| TU | Thank You | ||
| TX | Transmitter / Transmit | ||
| W | Word / Words | ITU-T Rec. F.1 | |
| WA | Word after | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| WB | Word before | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| WC | Wilco; "Will comply" | operating signal | |
| WD | Word / Words | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| WX | Weather / Weather report follows | ITU-R M.1172 | |
| XCVR | Transceiver | ||
| XYL | Former Young Lady (female spouse of radio operator, regardless of age) | Amateur radio slang | |
| YL | Young Lady (any female radio operator, regardless of age) | Amateur radio slang | |
| Z | Zulu time i.e. UTC | operating signal | |
| 161 | Best regards + Love and kisses; used on YL networks as a sign-off | sum of two 92 Codes | |
| 30 | No more; this is the end; finished | Not used in radiotelegraphy | |
| 72 | Best regards | Amateur radio slang. While operating QRP / low power | |
| 73 | Best regards | 92 Code | |
| 77 | Long Live CW (Morse Code), wishing you many happy CW contacts | ||
| 88 | Love and kisses | 92 Code |
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