Group of three letters codes, always beginning with Q character,
used to speed up message transmission, mainly in
CW. They are used very often by amateurs,
even in phone modes, because their meaning is standard and common to
all languages.
Hams use only a subset of Q code, not being interested in the words
created for aircrafts, ships and postal messages. Each code has two
different meanings (although usually related) when used alone (affirmative)
meaning) or followed by a question mark (interrogative meaning).
Most popular Q codes used by radio amateurs
Code Affirmative Interrogative
----- ------------------------------ ---------------------------------
QRA My name is ... What is your name ?
QRB Distance is ... Km What is the distance ?
QRG Frequency is ... What is the frequency ?
QRK Understandability is ... Am I understandable ?
QRL I am busy Are you busy ?
QRM There are interferences Are there interferences ?
QRN There is static noise Is there static noise ?
QRO I augment power Should I augment power ?
QRP I diminish power Should I diminish power ?
QRQ Please transmit quicker Should I transmit quicker ?
QRS Please transmit slower Should I transmit slower ?
QRT I stop transmitting Should I stop transmitting ?
QRV I am ready Are you ready ?
QRX I'll call at ... on ... When will you call again ?
QRZ You are called by ... Who is calling me ?
QSA Your signal strength is ... What is my signal strength ?
QSB Your signal strength is varying Does my signal strength vary ?
QSK I can hear while transmitting Can you hear while transmitting ?
QSL I received well Did you receive well ?
QSO You can talk with ... Can I talk with ... ?
QSY Please change tr. frequency Should I change tr. frequency ?
QTC I have messages for you Have you messages for me ?
QTH My exact position is ... What is your exact position ?
QTR Current time is ... What time is it ?