Every Q-code used in amateur radio — meanings, usage context, and examples. Printable for the shack.
| Code | Question Form | Answer / Statement | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| QRG | What is my exact frequency? | Your frequency is ___ kHz/MHz | Asking or stating operating frequency |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy / the frequency is in use | Checking if a frequency is occupied |
| QRM | Is my transmission being interfered with? | Your transmission is being interfered with | Man-made interference from another station |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static | Atmospheric noise, lightning crashes |
| QRO | Shall I increase transmitter power? | Increase transmitter power | Requesting or indicating high power |
| QRP | Shall I decrease transmitter power? | Decrease transmitter power | Low-power operating (5W or less) |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Send faster (___ wpm) | CW speed requests |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly (___ wpm) | Slowing CW speed for readability |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending / closing station | Ending operation for the session |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you | Checking for traffic; "QRU" = nothing waiting |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready | Confirming readiness to receive or operate |
| QRX | When will you call me again? | I will call you again at ___ UTC | Scheduling a callback; "standby" |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by ___ | Asking who just called; "QRZ?" on a clear frequency |
| Code | Question Form | Answer / Statement | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals? | Strength is ___ (1–5) | Signal strength report (older system) |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading | Ionospheric fading, signal variation |
| QSD | Is my keying defective? | Your keying is defective | Poorly shaped CW characters |
| QSK | Can you hear me between your signals? | I can hear you between my signals | Full break-in CW operation |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt | "QSL" = got it / confirmed; also QSL cards |
| QSM | Shall I repeat the last message? | Repeat your last message | Requesting message repeat |
| QSO | Can you communicate with ___ directly? | I can communicate with ___ | A two-way contact/conversation |
| QSP | Will you relay to ___? | I will relay to ___ | Third-party message relay |
| QST | — | General call preceding public information | "QST de ARRL" — broadcast message to all |
| QSX | Will you listen to ___ on ___ kHz? | I am listening on ___ kHz | Indicates split frequency operation |
| QSY | Shall I change to another frequency? | Change to ___ kHz/MHz | Moving to another frequency; "QSY up 5" |
| QSZ | Shall I send each word more than once? | Send each word ___ times | Difficult conditions requiring repetition |
| Code | Question Form | Answer / Statement | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| QTB | Do you agree with my word count? | I agree / word count is ___ | Formal traffic handling |
| QTC | How many messages do you have? | I have ___ messages for you | NTS traffic nets |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is ___ | Giving your operating location |
| QTR | What is the correct time? | The time is ___ | UTC time checks during nets |
| QUA | Have you news of ___? | Here is news of ___ | Welfare traffic during emergencies |
Q-codes are three-letter codes beginning with Q developed for international radiotelegraph communication. On voice (SSB, FM), they're used conversationally as shorthand. On CW, they're essential procedure. Each code can be a question (when followed by ?) or a statement. In casual voice operation, "QSL?" means "do you copy?" and "QSL" means "I copy" or "confirmed."
Not all Q-codes are used in amateur radio. The list above covers the codes you'll hear regularly on HF and VHF amateur bands. For the complete ITU Q-code list including maritime and aeronautical codes, see ITU Radio Regulations Appendix 14.