Amateur Radio Q-Codes
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3 min read
• Updated Oct 1, 2025
Q-Codes are a set of three-letter codes beginning with the letter “Q” that were originally developed in the early 1900s for commercial and maritime Morse code transmissions. They provide a quick, standardized way of asking and answering common questions, regardless of language barriers.
In amateur radio, Q-Codes are still widely used both in Morse code (CW) and voice communications. While many exist, radio amateurs typically use a smaller subset relevant to day-to-day contacts. Each Q-Code can be used as a question (when followed by a ?) or as a statement.
For example:
- QTH? → “What is your location?”
- QTH London → “My location is London.”
Common Amateur Radio Q-Codes
| Q-Code | Question Meaning | Statement Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| QRA | What is your station name/call sign? | My station name/call sign is … |
| QRG | What is my exact frequency? | Your exact frequency is … |
| QRH | Does my frequency vary? | Your frequency varies. |
| QRI | How is my tone? | Your tone is … (1 = good, 2 = variable, 3 = bad) |
| QRK | What is the readability of my signals? | The readability is … (1–5) |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy / this frequency is in use. |
| QRM | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with. |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static. |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? | Decrease power. |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Send faster. |
| QRS | Shall I send slower? | Send slower. |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending. |
| QRU | Do you have anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRX | When will you call me again? | I will call you again at … |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by … |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I acknowledge receipt / I confirm contact (also used for QSL cards). |
| QSO | Can you communicate with me directly? | I can communicate directly. |
| QSP | Will you relay a message? | I will relay a message. |
| QSY | Shall I change frequency? | Change frequency to … |
| QTC | How many messages do you have? | I have … messages. |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is … |
| QTR | What is the correct time? | The correct time is … |
Notes on Usage
- On Voice (Phone): Q-Codes are often used casually, especially QTH, QSL, QRM, QSY, QRP, and QRZ. For example, “My QTH is Manchester” or “Let’s QSY to 14.200 MHz.”
- On Morse (CW): Q-Codes are extremely useful for brevity and efficiency. Instead of spelling out entire questions or statements, operators use these codes to save time and avoid misunderstandings.
- In Logging: QSL is strongly associated with confirmation of a contact, whether by card, bureau, or online systems like LoTW.
References
- ITU-R Recommendation for Q-Code usage
- Amateur Radio operating practice guides