Q Codes

Q codes are three-letter codes starting with Q that stand for a whole question or answer. They let operators with no common language talk in Morse code. Tap any code to hear it.

How Q codes work

Each Q code has two meanings. Followed by a question mark, it asks: QTH? means “What is your position?”. Without one, it answers: QTH Paris means “My position is Paris”. In everyday amateur use some have drifted: QTH is used for “my location” and QSL for “I confirm”, which also gave its name to the postcards amateurs exchange to confirm a contact.

Where they come from

Q codes were created for radiotelegraphy in the early 20th century and are set out in international radio regulations. The table below is the set most used in amateur radio, from English Wikipedia's Q code article.

Q codes used in amateur radio

Q	As a question (with ?)	As an answer or statement
QRA	What is the name (or call sign) of your station?	The name (or call sign) of my station is ____
QRG	Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ____)?	Your exact frequency (or that of ____ ) is ____ kHz (or MHz).
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	How many voice contacts do you want to make?	I want to make ____ voice contacts.
QRK	What is the readability of my signals (or those of ____)?	The readability of your signals (or those of ____) is ____ (1 to 5).
QRL	Are you busy?	I am busy (in contact with ____ ). Please do not interfere.
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 (____ wpm).
QRS	Shall I send more slowly?	Send more slowly (____ wpm).
QRT	Shall I stop sending?	Stop sending.
QRU	Have you anything for me?	I have ____ messages for you.
QRV	Are you ready?	I am ready.
QRW	Shall I inform ____ that you are calling (him) on ____ kHz (or MHz)?	Please inform ____ that I am calling (him) on ____ kHz (or MHz).
QRX	Shall I standby? / When will you call me again?	Please standby / I will call you again at ____ (hours) on ____ kHz (or MHz)
QRZ	Who is calling me?	You are being called by ____ on ____ kHz (or MHz)
QSA	What is the strength of my signals (or those of ____ )?	The strength of your signals (or those of ____) is ____ (1 to 5).
QSB	Are my signals fading?	Your signals are fading.
QSD	Is my keying defective?	Your keying is defective.
QSG	Shall I send ____ telegrams (messages) at a time?	Send ____ telegrams (messages) at a time.
QSK	Can you hear me between your signals?	I can hear you between my signals.
QSL	Can you acknowledge receipt?	I will acknowledge receipt.
QSM	Shall I repeat the last telegram (message) which I sent you, or some previous telegram (message)?	Repeat the last telegram (message) which you sent me (or telegram(s) / message(s) numbers(s) ____ ).
QSN	Did you hear me (or ____ (call sign)) on ____ kHz (or MHz)?	I did hear you (or ____ (call sign)) on ____ kHz (or MHz).
QSO	Can you communicate with ____ direct or by relay?	I can communicate with ____ direct (or by relay through ____ ).
QSP	Will you relay a message to ____ ?	I will relay a message to ____ .
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 (or MHz).
QST	Should I repeat the prior message to all amateurs I contact?	Here follows a broadcast message to all amateurs.
QSU	Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on ____ kHz (or MHz))?	Send or reply on this frequency (or on ____ kHz (or MHz)).
QSW	Will you send on this frequency (or on ____ kHz (or MHz))?	I am going to send on this frequency (or on ____ kHz (or MHz)).
QSX	Will you listen to ____ (call sign(s) on ____ kHz (or MHz))?	I am listening to ____ (call sign(s) on ____ kHz (or MHz))
QSY	Shall I change to transmission on another frequency?	Change to transmission on another frequency (or on ____ kHz (or MHz)).
QSZ	Shall I send each word or group more than once?	Send each word or group twice (or ____ times).
QTA	Shall I cancel telegram (message) number ____ as if it had not been sent?	Cancel telegram (message) number ____ as if it had not been sent.
QTC	How many telegrams (messages) have you to send?	I have ____ telegrams (messages) for you (or for ____ ).
QTH	What is your position in latitude and longitude? (or according to any other indication)	My position is ____ latitude ____ longitude.
QTR	What is the correct time?	The correct time is ____ hours UTC.
QTU	At what times are you operating?	I am operating from ____ to ____ hours.
QTX	Will you keep your station open for further communication with me until further notice (or until ____ hours)?	I will keep my station open for further communication with you until further notice (or until ____ hours).
QUA	Have you news of ____ (call sign)?	Here is news of ____ (call sign).
QUC	What is the number (or other indication) of the last message you received from me (or from ____ (call sign))?	The number (or other indication) of the last message I received from you (or from ____ (call sign)) is ____.
QUD	Have you received the urgency signal sent by ____ (call sign of mobile station)?	I have received the urgency signal sent by ____ (call sign of mobile station) at ____ hours.
QUE	Can you speak in ____ (language), with interpreter if necessary, if so, on what frequencies?	I can speak in ____ (language) on ____ kHz (or MHz).
QUF	Have you received the distress signal sent by ____ (call sign of mobile station)?	I have received the distress signal sent by ____ (call sign of mobile station) at ____ hours.

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