Amateur radio jargon
Amateur Radio Etiquette, On-Air Slang, and Communication Culture
The term Ham is the traditional and affectionate global name for an amateur radio operator. Over more than a century, the ham community has developed a distinct operational culture rooted in courtesy, camaraderie, and standardized procedures.
1. Core Rules of Amateur Radio Etiquette
- First Name Basis: Hams always address one another by their first name (or handle), never using formal titles such as „Mr.“, „Mrs.“, „Ms.“, or last names, even in written correspondence.
- Informal Camaraderie: Addressing fellow hams casually is not a sign of disrespect, but rather an emblem of equality and friendship across the global amateur fraternity.
- The Traditional „73“ Greeting: Operational etiquette dictates closing a contact with the concise code „73“ (Best regards). Redundant expressions like „best 73s“ or „many 73s“ are grammatically incorrect as the code itself is inherently plural.
- Abandoning CB Slang: Former Citizen’s Band (CB) operators should shed CB jargon. Using authentic amateur radio terminology demonstrates technical proficiency and operational maturity.
2. Using Q-Codes in Voice Operations (Phone / SSB / FM)
While originally created to speed up CW telegraphy, several Q-codes have become standard international terminology in voice communications:
| Q-Code / Term | Voice Operational Meaning and Amateur Slang |
|---|---|
| QRG | Operating frequency or band segment. |
| QRM | Man-made interference from other stations or electronic devices. |
| QRN | Natural atmospheric noise and static discharge. |
| QRP | Low power operation (typically ≤5W CW / ≤10W SSB); in ham slang, humorously refers to a „child“ or „grandchild“ (meaning „little one“). |
| QRT | Ceasing transmission / shutting down the station. |
| QRV | Ready and available to operate on frequency. |
| QRX | Stand by / wait a moment. |
| QRZ? | Who is calling me? (Query for station identification). |
| QSB | Signal fading due to ionospheric changes. |
| QSL / QSL Card | Confirmation of contact / Written confirmation card. |
| QSO | A completed radio contact / conversation. |
| QSY | Changing to another frequency. |
| QTH | Station location (city, town, or grid square). |
In addition to Q-codes, voice operators frequently adopt classic CW terms such as OM (Old Man — male operator), YL (Young Lady — female operator), and XYL (wife).
3. Phonetic Spelling and Language Norms
Always use the standardized international phonetic alphabet (ICAO / ITU) when spelling callsigns or words. Avoid made-up or humorous phonetics (e.g., use strictly Lima Zulu instead of Lima Zanzibar), which cause confusion among international operators.
