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Docs Morse & Communication Q Codes

Q Codes

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The Q codes most useful for beacon work: QTH, QSY, QRM, QRN and friends, and what they mean on the air.

Q Codes

Q codes are three-letter abbreviations from the radio-telegraph era that still do real work on the air. A handful are worth knowing for anyone who listens to or reports on the beacon’s band.

The essential set

CodeQuestionStatement
QTHWhat is your position?My position is…
QSYShall I change frequency?Change to…
QRMAre you troubled by interference?I am troubled by interference
QRNAre you troubled by static?I am troubled by static
QRZWho is calling me?…is calling you
QSLDo you acknowledge receipt?I acknowledge receipt
QRXWhen will you call again?I will call again at…
QSOCan you communicate?I can communicate

In context

  • QTH 45.8325 N 6.8650 E is a position report in classic form.
  • QRM describes man-made interference; QRN describes atmospheric noise. The distinction matters when reporting band conditions (see Interference Sources).
  • QSL has drifted into general use to mean “understood, confirmed”, which is how you will hear it most often.

Q codes and the beacon

The beacon’s Morse payload does not use Q codes: it sends the payload format documented in Config Payload Format. But when you discuss the band with other radio users, Q codes are the shared vocabulary, and using them correctly marks you as someone who knows the medium.