Two-way Radio Q Signals, or Q-Codes, are 3-letter abbreviations that have been used since the early days of Morse code transmissions (CW mode). By using a Q-signal or code, it meant the operator could save much time in sending out his radio signals in the dits and dahs of C.W.

The other advantages of using Q-Signals is that you can send “QRA” in cw to any radio operator (who understands Morse code) and they will know you want to be told the name of their radio station, i.e. its call letters or callsign. The other guy doesn’t need to speak English fluently.

Amateur Radio operators often use the Q-codes to abbreviate or clarify their speech. If I tell someone “You have a lot of QRN and QRM”, then he knows I am experiencing difficulties with radio static (QRN) and another station or stations who are transmitting on a frequency that is too close to mine (that’s QRM). And I may repeat myself for clarity and speak the letters as “QR-Novenber” or “QR-Mike” since the first two letters are a given, but the third and last letter is one that could be misunderstood when I am transmitting a voice signal. (It is almost impossible to listen to the difference between a spoken “EN” sound and an “EM” sound when heard over a two-way radio circuit.)

Some of the Q-Signals are so well understood that they almost take on an identity of their own. For example, QRP means low-power, while QRP refers to high-power transmissions. Since the majority of HF radio transceivers today are 100 Watts PEP, any rig more powerful than this is a QRO station. While people who enjoy the challenge of making contacts with low power (less than 5 watts) are known as QRP stations. (There are also many QRP radio clubs around the world.)

Here are some of the more commonly-used Q-Signals. There are many others that are very specialized signals, like those used by ships at sea and aircraft for search and rescue.

QRA        What is the name of your station?
QRG        What’s my exact frequency?
QRH        Does my frequency vary?
QRI        How is my tone? (1-3)
QRK        What is my signal intelligibility?  (1-5)
QRL        Are you busy?
QRM        Is my transmission being interfered with?
QRN        Are you troubled by static?
QRO        Shall I increase transmitter power?
QRP        Shall I decrease transmitte power?
QRQ        Shall I send faster?
QRS        Shall I send slower?
QRT        Shall I stop sending?
QRU        Have you anything for me?
QRV        Are you ready?
QRW        Shall I tell …….. you’re calling him?
QRX        When will you call again?
QRZ        Who is calling me?
QSA        What is my signal strength? (1-5)
QSB        Are my signals fading?
QSD        Is my (Morse code) keying defective?
QTA        Shall I cancel number …….. ?
QTB        Do you agree with my word count?
QTC        How many messages have you to send?
QTH        What is your location?
QTR        What is your time?
QTV        Shall I stand guard for you ….. ?
QTX        Will you keep your station open for further communication with me?
QUA        Have you news of …………. ?
QSG        Shall I send …….. messages at a time?
QSK        Can you work break-in?
QSL        Can you acknowledge receipt?
QSM        Shall I repeat the last message sent?
QSO        Can you communicate with …………. directly?
QSP        Will you relay to ……… ?
QSV        Shall I send a series of V’s?
QSW        Will you transmit on ……… ?
QSX        Will you listen for ……. on ……. ?
QSY        Shall I change frequency?
QSZ        Shall I send each word/group more than once?

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