Q-Code
Master Table of International Q-Codes in the Amateur Radio Service
International Q-codes are standardized three-letter combinations starting with „Q“, originally devised for Morse telegraphy (CW) and digital operating to eliminate language barriers and speed up transmissions. Every Q-code serves a dual purpose: when followed by a question mark (?), it acts as a query; without a question mark, it represents an answer or operational statement.
1. Core Q-Code Directory
| Code | Query (When sent with „?“) | Answer, Statement, or Command |
|---|---|---|
| QRG | What is my exact frequency? | Your exact frequency is … kHz (or MHz). |
| QRK | What is the readability of my signal? | The readability of your signal is: 1 (bad), 2 (fairly bad), 3 (fairly good), 4 (good), 5 (excellent). |
| QRL | Is this frequency in use? / Are you busy? | The frequency is in use. Please do not interfere. |
| QRM | Are you experiencing man-made interference? | I am experiencing interference: 1 (none), 2 (slight), 3 (moderate), 4 (severe), 5 (extreme). |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static/atmospheric noise? | I am troubled by static: 1 (none), 2 (slight), 3 (moderate), 4 (severe), 5 (extreme). |
| QRO | Should I increase transmitter power? | Increase power. |
| QRP | Should I decrease transmitter power? | Decrease power. / Operating low power. |
| QRS | Should I send slower? | Send slower (reduce keying speed). |
| QRT | Shall I stop transmitting? | Stop transmitting. / Closing down station. |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready / standing by. |
| QRX | When will you call me again? | I will call you again at … hours. / Stand by, wait. |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by … (callsign). |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signal? | Your signal strength is: 1 (barely perceptible), 2 (weak), 3 (fairly good), 4 (good), 5 (very good). |
| QSB | Is my signal fading? | Your signal is fading. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt / QSL card? | I acknowledge receipt. / Will send QSL card. |
| QSO | Can you communicate with … directly? | I can communicate with … / Contact established. |
| QSX | Will you listen on … kHz? | I am listening on … kHz (or MHz). |
| QSY | Shall I change transmission frequency? | Change frequency to … kHz (or MHz). |
| QTC | Have you any messages for me? | I have a message for you. |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is … (town, coordinates, or Grid Square). |
| QTR | What is the exact time? | The exact time is … (in UTC). |
Operator’s Note:
Always transmit QRL? („Is this frequency in use?“) prior to initiating calls to avoid stepping on an existing contact.
