In December, 1915, the American Radio Relay League began publication of a magazine titled QST, named after the Q code for "General call to all stations". In amateur radio, the Q codes were originally used in Morse code transmissions to shorten lengthy phrases and were followed by a Morse code question mark (..--..) if the phrase was a question.
Q codes are commonly used in voice communications as shorthand nouns, verbs, and adjectives making up phrases. For example, an amateur radio operator will complain about QRM (man-made interference), or tell another operator that there is "QSB on the signal"; "to QSY" is to change your operating frequency.
| Code |
Question |
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. (or I am busy 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 nothing 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 |
When will you call me again? |
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 am acknowledging 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 |
- |
Here is 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) No. ... as if it had not been sent? |
Cancel telegram (message) No. ... 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 |
| 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. |
