Radio reference
Q-codes
Search common operating codes used to ask and answer routine radio questions. Q-codes are sent as three ordinary Morse letters, not as one continuous prosign.
Common Q signals.
17 codes shown
| Code | Question | Answer / statement | Typical use | Play | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QRL--.- .-. .-.. |
Are you busy? | I am busy. Please do not interfere. | Checking whether a frequency is already in use. | ||
QRM--.- .-. -- |
Is my transmission being interfered with? | Your transmission is being interfered with. | Reporting interference from other stations. | ||
QRN--.- .-. -. |
Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static. | Describing atmospheric or electrical noise. | ||
QRO--.- .-. --- |
Shall I increase transmitter power? | Increase transmitter power. | Adjusting signal strength upward. | ||
QRP--.- .-. .--. |
Shall I decrease transmitter power? | Decrease transmitter power. | Low-power operation and power reduction. | ||
QRQ--.- .-. --.- |
Shall I send faster? | Send faster. | Requesting a higher sending speed. | ||
QRS--.- .-. ... |
Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly. | Requesting slower Morse transmission. | ||
QRT--.- .-. - |
Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending. | Ending or stopping a transmission. | ||
QRU--.- .-. ..- |
Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. | Checking whether traffic or a message is waiting. | ||
QRV--.- .-. ...- |
Are you ready? | I am ready. | Confirming readiness to receive or proceed. | ||
QRX--.- .-. -..- |
When will you call me again? | I will call you again at the stated time. | Arranging a later contact. | ||
QRZ--.- .-. --.. |
Who is calling me? | You are being called by the named station. | Asking an unidentified caller to repeat a call sign. | ||
QSB--.- ... -... |
Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. | Describing signal strength that rises and falls. | ||
QSL--.- ... .-.. |
Can you acknowledge receipt? | I acknowledge receipt. | Confirming that a message or contact was received. | ||
QSO--.- ... --- |
Can you communicate with the named station? | I can communicate with the named station. | Referring to a radio contact or conversation. | ||
QSY--.- ... -.-- |
Shall I change frequency? | Change to the stated frequency. | Moving an ongoing contact to another frequency. | ||
QTH--.- - .... |
What is your location? | My location is the stated place. | Requesting or giving a station location. |
No matching Q-code. Try a code, action, or radio condition.
A question mark changes the operating sense.
A Q-code followed by a question mark asks the formal question. The same three letters without a question mark can state the answer or instruction.
For example, QRS? asks whether the sender should slow down; QRS tells the other station to send more slowly.
Open the next reference.
Q-code questions.
What are Q-codes?
Q-codes are standardized three-letter operating codes that compress common radio questions and statements.
Does every Q-code mean the same thing in every service?
Formal meanings come from international radio procedures, but conversational amateur-radio usage can be shorter or more informal.
Are Q-codes sent as prosigns?
No. A Q-code is normally sent as three separate letters with normal letter spacing.