Q-codes are often used in ham radio communications, day to day but you may also encounter them used elsewhere, Some more then others. Some I have honest to God, never heard and others I hear daily. The ones I decided to compile here are somewhat in order of how often I encounter them. Many, if not most, can be used in question form or response form meaning slightly different things at time yet complementary.
| Q-Code | Statement / Answer Form | Question Form |
|---|---|---|
| QSL | I acknowledge receipt / Got it OK | Can you acknowledge receipt? |
| QRZ | You are being called by (Station) | Who is calling me? |
| QTH | My location / Operating Location | Where are you? / Location? |
| QSY | Change Frequency to | Should I change frequency? |
| QRM | There is man made interference | Is there any (Man made) interference? |
| QRN | There is atmospheric noise | Is there any atmospheric noise? |
| QSB | Signal is fading. | Is my signal fading? |
| QST | Attention all stations / Announcement | None |
| QRV | I am / Station is ready to receive | Are you ready to receive? |
| QRP | Decrease power / Sending low power | Shall I decrease power? |
| QRO | Increase power / Sending high power | Shall I increase power? |
| QRT | Stop sending / Station is shutting down | Should I stop sending? |
| QRX | Stand by | Should I stand by? |
| QRL | I am busy | Are you busy? |
| QSK | Break in / I can hear between signals | Can you hear me while transmitting? (Between signals) |
| QRQ | Speed up CW | Should I speed up my CW? |
| QRS | Slow down CW | Should I slow down my CW? |
| QSP | I can relay a message. | Can you relay a message? |
| QRU | I have no messages for you. | Do you have any messages for me? |
The above are the most common Q-Codes you are likely to encounter. You may however encounter some additional ones and if you are curious as to their meaning, your best resource is the Wikipedia Q-Codes Page.
If you find something incorrect and/or have an update, I would really appreciate if you could let me know by contacting me. I like to keep things as up-to-date as possible. Thank you! – Lucas / W6AER
