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Amateur Radio Q-Codes

International Q Code is an abbreviated way to exchange a great deal of information with a simple code. The Q Code consists of three-letter groups with each group having a specific meaning. Each group begins with the letter Q. Auxiliary letter groups or numbers are also used to help define the information that is need or passed with certain Q Code three-letter groups.

The International Q Code can be arranged in three types of code groups according to the second letter in the three-letter Q Code.

The Q Code comprises :
A. General Codes, second letter of which is R, S, T or U. (Some used by Hams).
B. Maritime Service Codes, second letter of which is O, P or Q.
C. Aeronautical Codes, second letter of which is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M or N.

Some common Q-Codes used by Amateur Radio Operators are:

Signal	Question	Answer, Advice or Order
QRG	Will you indicate my exact frequency in kilocycles?	Your frequency is ... kc.
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	Are you receiving me badly? Are my signals weak?	I cannot receive you. Your signals are too weak.
QRK	What is the legibility of my signals (1 to 5)?	The legibility of your signals is ... (1 to 5).
QRL	Are you busy?	I am busy (or busy with....). Please do not interfere.
QRM	Are you being interfered with?	I am being interfered with.
QRN	Are you troubled by static?	I am troubled by static.
QRO	Must I increase power?	Increase power.
QRP	Must I decrease power?	Decrease power.
QRQ	Must I send faster?	Send faster ... (words per min.).
QRS	Must I send more slowly?	Transmit more slowly ... (w.p.m.).
QRT	Must I stop transmission?	Stop transmission.
QRU	Have you anything for me?	I have nothing for you.
QRV	Are you ready?	I am ready.
QRW	Must I advise ... that you are calling him on ... kc?	Please advise ... that I am calling him on ... kc.
QRX	When will you call again?	I will call you again at ... hours (on ... kc.).
QRZ	By whom am I being called?	You are being called by ...
QSA	What is the strength of my signals (1 to 5)?	The strength of your signals is ... (1 to 5).
QSB	Does the strength of my signals vary?	The strength of your signals varies.
QSD	Is my keying correct? Are my signals distinct?	Your keying is incorrect; your signals are bad.
QSG	Must I transmit ... telegrams (or one telegram) at a time?	Transmit ... telegrams (or one telegram) at a time.
QSK	Shall I continue the transmission of all my traffic?	I can hear you between my signals. Continue: I shall interrupt you if necessary.
QSL	Can you acknowledge receipt?	I am acknowledging receipt.
QSM	Shall I repeat the last telegram I sent you?	Repeat the last telegram you sent me.
QSO	Can you communicate with ... directly (or through...)?	I can communicate with ... direct (or through...).
QSP	Will you relay to ...?	I will relay to ... free of charge.
QSV	Shall I send a series of VVV....?	Send a series of VVV.
QSX	Will you listen for ... (call sign) on ... kcs?	I am listening for ... on ... kcs.
QSY	Shall I change to ... kilocycles without changing the type of wave?	Change to ... kc. without changing type of wave.
QSZ	Shall I send each word or group twice?	Send each word or group twice.
QTA	Shall I cancel nr ... as if it had not been sent?	Cancel nr ... as if it had not been sent.
QTB	Do you agree with my word count?	I do not agree with your word count; I shall repeat the first letter of each word and the first figure of each number.
QTC	How many telegrams have you to send?	I have ... telegrams for you or for ....
QTH	What is your position (location)?	My position (location) is ....
QTR	What is the exact time?	The exact time is ....