Q Codes Commonly Used by Radio Amateurs
| Code | Meaning | Sample use |
|---|---|---|
| QRG | Exact frequency | HE TX ON QRG 14205 kHz |
| QRI | Tone (T in the RST code) | UR QRI 9 |
| QRK | Intelligibility (R in the RST code) | UR QRK 5 |
| QRL | This frequency is busy. | QRL? Used almost exclusively with Morse code, usually before transmitting on a new frequency |
| QRM | Man-made interference | PSE AGN HR QRM |
| QRN | Natural interference, e.g. static crashes | BAND NOISY TODAY LOTS OF QRN |
| QRO | Increase power | NEED QRO WHEN PROP POOR |
| QRP | decrease power | QRP TO 5 W |
| QRQ | Send faster | TIME SHORT PSE QRQ |
| QRR | temporarily unavailable/away, please wait | WILL BE QRR 30 MIN = THAT STN IS QRR NW |
| QRRR | Distress | Distress call recommended by ARRL |
| QRS | Send slower | PSE QRS NEW TO CW |
| QRT | Stop sending | ENJOYED TALKING 2 U = MUST QRT FER DINNER NW |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | QRU? ABOUT TO QRT |
| QRV | I am ready | WL U BE QRV IN UPCOMING CONTEST? |
| QRX | will call you again | QRX 5 MIN |
| QRZ | You are being called by ________. | QRZ? (Only someone who has previously called should reply) |
| QSA | Signal strength | UR QSA 5 |
| QSB | Fading of signal | THERE IS QSB ON UR SIG |
| QSD | Your keying is defective | QSD CK YR TX |
| QSK | Break-in | CQ DE W1AW W1AW QSK CQ DE ... (W1AW indicating that callers can break in at any time) |
| QSL | I Acknowledge receipt | QSL UR LAST TX = PSE QSL VIA BURO (i.e. please send me a card confirming this contact). |
| QSM | Repeat last message | QRM DROWNED UR LAST MSG OUT = PSE QSM |
| QSN | I heard you | QSN YESTERDAY ON 7005 kHz |
| QSO | A conversation | TNX QSO 73 |
| QSP | Relay | PSE QSP THIS MSG TO MY FRIEND |
| QST | General call to all stations | QST: QRG ALLOCS HV CHGD |
| QSX | I am listening on ... frequency | QSX 14200 TO 14210 kHz |
| QSY | Shift to transmit on ... | PSE QSY UP 5 kHz |
| QTA | Disregard last message | QTA, DID NOT MEAN THAT |
| QTC | Traffic | STN WID EMRG QTC PSE GA |
| QTH | Home Location | QTH SOUTH PARK CO |
| QTR | Exact time | QTR 2000Z |
Some of these common usages vary somewhat from their formal, official sense. There are also a few unofficial and humorous codes in use, such as QLF ("try sending with your LEFT foot") and QSC ("send cigarettes", not the official meaning of "this is a cargo vessel"). In the question form, QNB?, is supposed to mean "How many buttons does your radio have?" A reply of the form QNB 45/15 means "45, and I know what 15 of them do." QRK is sometimes used to refer to the cost of something - "I would like an FT9000 but it is too much QRK".
QSK - "I can hear you during my transmission" - refers to a particular mode of Morse code operating in which the receiver is enabled during the spaces between dots while transmitting. Some transceivers incorporate this function, sometimes referred to as full break-in as against semi-break-in in which there is a short delay before the transceiver goes to receive.
Some ham operators within the USA, particularly those traveling long distances, will monitor the National 2-meter FM calling frequency of 146.520 MHz while in their vehicles. If you see a vehicle on the road with a bumper-sticker, license plate or other sign that says QRZ 52? and a few extra antennas, that is what's happening. The reason QRZ is used instead of the more correct QSX is that QSX is not normally used in voice communications while QRZ is used extensively.
