Q Codes: Morse Code Shorthand for Radio

Q Codes in Morse Code

Q codes are a standardized set of three-letter abbreviations, all starting with the letter Q, originally developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication and widely adopted by amateur radio operators.

Essential Q Codes

Station & Location:

QTH  = What is your location? / My location is...
QRZ  = Who is calling me? / You are being called by...
QSL  = Can you acknowledge receipt? / I acknowledge receipt
QSO  = Can you communicate with...? / I can communicate with...

Signal Quality:

QRM  = Are you being interfered with? / I am being interfered with
QRN  = Are you troubled by static? / I am troubled by static
QSB  = Are my signals fading? / Your signals are fading
QRS  = Shall I send more slowly? / Send more slowly
QRQ  = Shall I send faster? / Send faster

Operations:

QRP  = Shall I decrease power? / Decrease power (often means low power operation)
QRO  = Shall I increase power? / Increase power
QRT  = Shall I stop sending? / Stop sending
QRV  = Are you ready? / I am ready
QSY  = Shall I change frequency? / Change frequency to...

Q Code as Question vs Statement

Each Q code can be either a question (when followed by a question mark) or a statement:

• QTH? = "What is your location?"
• QTH = "My location is..." (followed by the location)

Usage in Modern Ham Radio

While originally designed for CW, Q codes have crossed over into voice communication. You will hear operators say "my QTH is New York" even on phone (voice) mode, though purists prefer to use plain language on voice.