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The Q-code is a standardised collection of three-letter codes that each start with the letter "Q". It is an operating signal initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. To distinguish the use of a Q-code transmitted as a question from the same Q-code transmitted as a statement, operators either prefixed it with the military network question marker "INT" ( ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ) or suffixed it with the standard Morse question mark UD ( ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄ ).

Although Q-codes were created when radio used Morse code exclusively, they continued to be employed after the introduction of voice transmissions. To avoid confusion, transmitter call signs are restricted; countries can be issued unused Q-Codes as their ITU prefix e.g. Qatar is QAT.

Codes in the range QAA–QNZ are reserved for aeronautical use; QOA–QQZ for maritime use and QRA–QUZ for all services.

"Q" has no official meaning, but it is sometimes assigned a word with mnemonic value, such as "question" or "query", for example in QFE: "query field elevation".cite-ref-1[1]

• Early development

• Later use

• Listing according to service

• Aeronautical Code signals (QAA–QNZ; ICAO)

• Maritime Mobile Service (QOA–QQZ)

• All services (QRA–QUZ)

• Amateur radio

• See also

• Footnotes

• References

• External links

The original Q-codes were created, circa 1909, by the British government as a "List of abbreviations ... prepared for the use of British ships and coast stations licensed by the Postmaster General".cite-ref-2[2] The Q-codes facilitated communication between maritime radio operators speaking different languages, so they were soon adopted internationally. A total of forty-five Q-codes appeared in the "List of Abbreviations to be used in Radio Communications", which was included in the Service Regulations affixed to the Second International Radiotelegraph Convention in London (The convention was signed on July 5, 1912, and became effective July 1, 1913.)

The following table reviews a sample of the all-services Q-codes adopted by the 1912 convention:

| Code | Question | Answer or notice |

|---|---|---|

| QRA | What ship or coast station is that? | This is ____. |

| QRB | What is your distance? | My distance is ____. |

| QRC | What is your true bearing? | My true bearing is ____ degrees. |

| QRD | Where are you bound for? | I am bound for ____. |

| QRF | Where are you bound from? | I am bound from ____. |

| QRG | What line do you belong to? | I belong to the ____ Line. |

| QRH | What is your wavelength in meters? | My wavelength is ____ meters. |

| QRJ | How many words have you to send? | I have ____ words to send. |

| QRK | How do you receive me? | I am receiving (1–5). (1) is unreadable… |

| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy. |

| QRM | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with. |

| QRN | Are the atmospherics strong? | Atmospherics (noise) are very strong. |

Over the years the original Q-codes were modified to reflect changes in radio practice. For example, QSW / QSX originally stood for, "Shall I increase / decrease my spark frequency?", but in the 1920s spark-gap transmitters were gradually being banned from land stations, making that meaning obsolete.cite-ref-3[3] By the 1970s, the Post Office Handbook for Radio Operators listed over a hundred Q-codes,cite-ref-4[4] covering a wide range of subjects including radio procedures, meteorology, radio direction finding, and search and rescue.

Some Q-codes are also used in aviation, in particular QNE, QNH and QFE, referring to certain altimeter settings. These codes are used in radiotelephone conversations with air traffic control as unambiguous shorthand, where safety and efficiency are of vital importance. A subset of Q-codes is used by the Miami-Dade County, Florida local government for law enforcement and fire rescue communications, one of the few instances where Q-codes are used in ground voice communication.cite-ref-5[5]

The QAA–QNZ code range includes phrases applicable primarily to the aeronautical service,cite-ref-6[6] as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization.cite-ref-7[7] The QOA–QQZ code range is reserved for the maritime service. The QRA–QUZ code range includes phrases applicable to all services and is allocated to the International Telecommunication Union.cite-ref-8[8] QVA–QZZ are not allocated.cite-ref-9[9] Many codes have no immediate applicability outside one individual service, such as maritime operation (many QO or QU series codes) or radioteletype operation (the QJ series).cite-ref-10[10]

Many military and other organisations that use Morse code have adopted additional codes, including the Z code used by most European and NATO countries. The Z code adds commands and questions adapted for military radio transmissions, for example, "ZBW 2", which means "change to backup frequency number 2", and "ZNB abc", which means "my checksum is abc, what is yours?"cite-ref-11[11]

Used in their formal question / answer sense, the meaning of a Q-code varies depending on whether the individual Q-code is sent as a question or an answer. For example, the message "QRP?" means "Shall I decrease transmitter power?", and a reply of "QRP" means "Yes, decrease your transmitter power", whereas an unprompted statement "QRP" means "Please decrease your transmitter power". This structured use of Q-codes is fairly rare and now mainly limited to amateur radio and military Morse code (CW) traffic networks.

Under U.S. F.C.C. Regulations, CFR 47 97.113(a)(4), Amateurs are not permitted to 'transmit codes or ciphers' (historical description), allowing only that 'plain- language communications' may be transmitted. The term 'Q-Signal' has been historically used in that context, not 'Q-Code,' - the use of 'Code' is technically a violation of F.C.C. Regulations. This essentially examples, in the U.S. the historic separation between Amateur and Commercial/Military radio services

• QAA to QNZ – Assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

• QNA to QNZ – The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has also developed its own QN Signals for message handling located in this range. Even though they overlap with other signals, the ARRL determined that their exclusive use in NTS nets limits confusion.

• QOA to QQZ – For the Maritime Mobile Service.

• QRA to QUZ – Assigned by the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).

First defined in ICAO publication "Doc 6100-COM/504/1" and in "ICAO Procedures for Air Navigation Services, Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)" [Doc8400-4] (4th edition 1989), the majority of the Q-codes have fallen out of common use; for example today reports such as QAU ("I am about to jettison fuel") and QAZ ("I am flying in a storm") would be voice or computerised transmissions. But several remain part of the standard ICAO radiotelephony phraseology in aviation. These are also part of ACP131, which lists all ITU-R Q-codes, without grouping them by aeronautical/marine/general use.cite-ref-12[12]

| | Question? | Answer or advice |

|---|---|---|

| QAB | May I have clearance (for ____) from __… | You are cleared ( or ____ is cleared) b… |

| QAF | Will you advise me when you are (were)… | I am (was) at (over) ____ ( place ) (at… |

| QAG | | Arrange your flight in order to arrive… |

| QAH | What is your height above ____ ( datum… | I am at ____ flight level / altitude __… |

| QAI | What is the essential traffic respectin… | The essential traffic respecting your a… |

| QAK | Is there any risk of collision? | There is risk of collision. |

| QAL | Are you going to land at ____ ( place )… | I am going to land at ____ ( place ). o… |

| QAM | What is the latest available meteorolog… | Meteorological observation made at ____… |

| QAN | What is the surface wind direction and… | The surface wind direction and speed at… |

| QAO | What is the wind direction in degrees T… | The wind direction and speed at ( posit… |

| QAP | Shall I listen for you ( or for ____) o… | Listen for me ( or for ____) on ____ kH… |

| QAQ | Am I near a prohibited, restricted, or… | You are ____ ( number ) area ____ ( ide… |

| QAR | May I stop listening on the watch frequ… | You may stop listening on the watch fre… |

| QAU | Where may I jettison fuel? | I am about to jettison fuel. or Jettiso… |

| QAW | | I am about to carry out overshoot proce… |

| QAY | Will you advise me when you pass (passe… | I passed ____ ( place ) bearing ____ de… |

| QAZ | Are you experiencing communication diff… | I am experiencing communication difficu… |

| QBA | What is the horizontal visibility at __… | The horizontal visibility at ____ ( pla… |

| QBB | What is the amount, type and height abo… | The amount, type and height above offic… |

| QBC | Report meteorological conditions as obs… | The meteorological conditions as observ… |

| QBD | How much fuel have you remaining ( expr… | My fuel will endure for ____ ( hours an… |

| QBE | | I am about to wind in my aerial. |

| QBF | Are you flying in cloud? | I am flying in cloud at ____ flight lev… |

| QBG | Are you flying above cloud? | I am flying above cloud and at flight l… |

| QBH | Are you flying below cloud? | I am flying below cloud and at flight l… |

| QBI | Is flight under IFR compulsory at ____… | Flight under IFR is compulsory at ____… |

| QBJ | What is the amount, type and height abo… | At ____ hours at ____ ( position or zon… |

| QBK | Are you flying with no cloud in your vi… | I am flying with no cloud in my vicinit… |

| QBM | Has ____ sent any messages for me? | Here is the message sent by ____ at ___… |

| QBN | Are you flying between two layers of cl… | I am flying between two layers of cloud… |

| QBO | What is the nearest aerodrome at which… | Flying under VFR is permissible at ____… |

| QBP | Are you flying in and out of cloud? | I am flying in and out of cloud and at… |

| QBS | | Ascend ( or descend) to ____ ( figures… |

| QBT | What is the runway visual range at ____… | The runway visual range at ____ ( place… |

| QBV | Have you reached flight level/altitude… | I have reached ____ flight level/altitu… |

| QBX | Have you left ____ flight level/altitud… | I have left ____ flight level/altitude… |

| QBZ | Report your flying conditions in relati… | The reply to QBZ ? is given by the appr… |

| QCA | May I change my flight level/altitude f… | You may change your flight level/altitu… |

| QCB | | Delay is being caused by ____. 1. you'r… |

| QCE | When may I expect approach clearance? | Expect approach clearance at ____ hours… |

| QCF | | Delay indefinite. Expect approach clear… |

| QCH | May I taxi to ____ ( place )? | Cleared to taxi to ____ ( place ). |

| QCI | | Make a 360-degree turn immediately (tur… |

| QCS | | My reception on ____ frequency has brok… |

| QCX | What is your full call sign? | My full call sign is ____ . or Use your… |

| QCY | | I am working on a trailing aerial. or W… |

| QDB | Have you sent message ____ to ____ ? | I have sent message ____ to ____. |

| QDF | What is your D-Value at ____ ( position… | My D-Value at ____ ( position ) at ____… |

| QDL | Do you intend to ask me for a series of… | I intend to ask you for a series of bea… |

| QDM | Will you indicate the magnetic heading… | The magnetic heading for you to steer t… |

| QDP | Will you accept control ( or responsibi… | I will accept control ( or responsibili… |

| QDR | What is my magnetic bearing from you (… | Your magnetic bearing from me ( or from… |

| QDT | Are you flying in visual meteorological… | I am flying in visual meteorological co… |

| QDU | | Cancelling my IFR flight. or IFR flight… |

| QDV | Are you flying in a flight visibility o… | I am flying in a flight visibility of l… |

| QEA | May I cross the runway ahead of me? | You may cross the runway ahead of you. |

| QEB | May I turn at the intersection? | Taxi as follows at the intersection ___… |

| QEC | May I make a 180-degree turn and return… | You may make a 180-degree turn and retu… |

| QED | Shall I follow the pilot vehicle? | Follow the pilot vehicle. |

| QEF | Have I reached my parking area? or Have… | You have reached your parking area. or… |

| QEG | May I leave the parking area? or Have y… | You may leave the parking area. or I ha… |

| QEH | May I move to the holding position for… | Cleared to the holding position for run… |

| QEJ | May I assume position for take-off? or… | Cleared to hold at take-off position fo… |

| QEK | Are you ready for immediate take-off? | I am ready for immediate take-off. |

| QEL | May I take-off (and make a ____ hand tu… | You are cleared to take-off (turn as fo… |

| QEM | What is the condition of the landing su… | The condition of the landing surface at… |

| QEN | Shall I hold my position? | Hold your position |

| QEO | Shall I clear the runway ( or landing a… | Clear the runway ( or landing area). or… |

| QES | Is a right-hand circuit in force at ___… | A right-hand circuit is in force at ___… |

| QFA | What is the meteorological forecast for… | The meteorological forecast for ____ (… |

| QFB | | The ____ 1) approach 2) runway 3) appro… |

| QFC | What is the amount, the type and the he… | At ____ ( place, position or zone ) the… |

| QFD | 1. Is the ____ visual beacon [at ____ (… | 1. The ____ visual beacon [at ____ ( pl… |

| QFE | What should I set on the subscale of my… | If you set the subscale of your altimet… |

| QFF | [At ____ ( place )] what is the present… | At ____ ( place ) the atmospheric press… |

| QFG | Am I overhead? | You are overhead. |

| QFH | May I descend below the clouds? | You may descend below the clouds. |

| QFI | Are the aerodrome lights lit? | The aerodrome lights are lit. or Please… |

| QFL | Will you send up pyrotechnical lights? | I will send up pyrotechnical lights. |

| QFM | What flight level/altitude ____. 1. sho… | ____ ____. 1. Maintain ( or fly at) fli… |

| QFO | May I land immediately? | You may land immediately. |

| QFP | Will you give me the latest information… | The latest information concerning ____… |

| QFQ | Are the approach and runway lights lit? | The approach and runway lights are lit.… |

| QFR | Does my landing gear appear damaged? | Your landing gear appears damaged. |

| QFS | Is the radio facility at ____ ( place )… | The radio facility at ____ ( place ) is… |

| QFT | Between what heights above ____ ( datum… | Ice formation has been observed at ____… |

| QFU | What is the magnetic direction ( or run… | The magnetic direction ( or runway numb… |

| QFV | Are the floodlights switched on? | The floodlights are switched on. or Ple… |

| QFW | What is the length of the runway in use… | The length of runway ____ now in use is… |

| QFX | | I am working ( or am going to work) on… |

| QFY | Please report the present meteorologica… | The present meteorological landing cond… |

| QFZ | What is the aerodrome meteorological fo… | The aerodrome meteorological forecast f… |

| QGC | | There are obstructions to the ____ of _… |

| QGD | Are there on my track any obstructions… | There are obstructions on your track __… |

| QGE | What is my distance to your station ( o… | Your distance to my station ( or to ___… |

| QGH | May I land using ____ ( procedure or fa… | You may land using ____ ( procedure or… |

| QGK | What track should I make good? or What… | Make good a track from ____ ( place ) o… |

| QGL | May I enter the ____ ( control area or… | You may enter the ____ ( control area o… |

| QGM | | Leave the ____ ( control area or zone ). |

| QGN | May I be cleared to land [at ____ ( pla… | You are cleared to land [at ____ ( plac… |

| QGO | | Landing is prohibited at ____ ( place ). |

| QGP | What is my number for landing? | You are number ____ to land. |

| QGQ | May I hold at ____ ( place )? | Hold at ____ ( place ) at flight level/… |

| QGT | | Fly for ____ minutes on a heading what… |

| QGU | | Fly for ____ minutes on a magnetic head… |

| QGV | Do you see me? or Can you see the aerod… | I see you at ____ ( cardinal or quadran… |

| QGW | Does my landing gear appear to be down… | Your landing gear appears to be down an… |

| QGZ | | Hold on ____ direction of ____ facility. |

| QHE | Will you inform me when you are on ____… | I am on ____ of approach. 1. cross-wind… |

| QHG | May I enter traffic circuit at flight l… | Cleared to enter traffic circuit at fli… |

| QHH | Are you making an emergency landing? | I am making an emergency landing. or Em… |

| QHI | Are you [ or is ____( place )] ____. 1.… | I am [ or ____ ( place ) is] ____ at __… |

| QHQ | May I make a ____ approach [at ____ ( p… | You may make a ____ approach [at ____ (… |

| QHZ | Shall I circle the aerodrome ( or go ar… | Circle the aerodrome ( or go around). |

| QIC | May I establish communication with ____… | Establish communication with ____ radio… |

| QIF | What frequency is ____ using? | ____ is using ____ kHz ( or MHz). |

| QJA | Is my ____ reversed? 1. tape 2. mark an… | Your ____ is reversed. 1. tape 2. mark… |

| QJB | Will you use ____. 1. radio? 2. cable?… | I will use ____. 1. radio. 2. cable. 3.… |

| QJC | Will you check your ____. 1. transmitte… | I will check my ____. 1. transmitter di… |

| QJD | Am I transmitting ____. 1. in letters?… | You are transmitting ____. 1. in letter… |

| QJE | Is my frequency shift ____. 1. too wide… | Your frequency shift is ____. 1. too wi… |

| QJF | | My signal as checked by monitor ____ is… |

| QJG | Shall I revert to automatic relay? | Revert to automatic relay. |

| QJH | Shall I run ____ 1. my test tape? 2. a… | Run ____ 1. your test tape. 2. a test s… |

| QJI | Will you transmit a continuous ____. 1.… | I am transmitting a continuous ____. 1.… |

| QJK | Are you receiving ____. 1. a continuous… | I am receiving ____. 1. a continuous ma… |

| QKC | | The sea conditions (at ____ position) _… |

| QKF | May I be relieved (at ____ hours)? | You may expect to be relieved at ____ h… |

| QKG | Will relief take place when ____ ( iden… | Relief will take place when ____ ( iden… |

| QKH | Report details of the parallel sweep (t… | The parallel sweep (track) search is be… |

| QKN | | Aircraft plotted (believed to be you) i… |

| QKO | What other units are ( or will be) taki… | In the operation [____ ( identification… |

| QKP | Which pattern of search is being follow… | The search pattern is ____. 1. parallel… |

| QLB | Will you monitor ____ station and repor… | I have monitored ____ station and repor… |

| QLH | Will you use simultaneous keying on ___… | I will now key simultaneously on ____ f… |

| QLV | Is the ____ radio facility still requir… | The ____ radio facility is still requir… |

| QMH | | Shift to transmit and receive on ____ k… |

| QMI | Report the vertical distribution of clo… | The vertical distribution of cloud as o… |

| QMU | What is the surface temperature at ____… | The surface temperature at ____ ( place… |

| QMW | At ____ ( position or zone ) what is (a… | At ____ ( position or zone ) the zero C… |

| QMX | What is the air temperature [at ____ (… | At ____ ( position or zone ) at ____ ho… |

| QMZ | Have you any amendments to the flight f… | The following amendment(s) should be ma… |

| QNE | What indication will my altimeter give… | On landing at ____ ( place ) at ____ ho… |

| QNH | What should I set on the subscale of my… | If you set the subscale of your altimet… |

| QNI | Between what heights above ____ ( datum… | Turbulence has been observed at ____ (… |

| QNO | | I am not equipped to give the informati… |

| QNR | | I am approaching my point of no return. |

| QNT | What is the maximum speed of the surfac… | The maximum speed of the surface wind a… |

| QNY | What is the present weather and the int… | The present weather and intensity there… |

This assignment is specified in RECOMMENDATION ITU-R M.1172.cite-ref-25[13]

Q signals are not substantially used in the maritime service. Morse code is now very rarely used for maritime communications, but in isolated maritime regions like Antarctica and the South Pacific the use of Q-codes continues. Q-codes still work when HF voice circuits are not possible due to atmospherics and the nearest vessel is one ionospheric hop away.

First defined by the Washington 1927 ITU Radio Regulations. Later defined by ITU-R in Appendix 9 to the Radio Regulations Annex to the International Telecommunications Convention (Atlantic City, 1947). The current callsign table is found in ITU-R Appendix 42. Current interpretation of the Q-code can be found in ITU-R Appendices 14 and 15.

ITU Radio Regulations 1990, Appendix 13: Miscellaneous Abbreviations and Signals to be Used in Radiotelegraphy Communications Except in the Maritime Mobile Service:cite-ref-ap-1994-ch13-26-0[14]

Amateur radio has adapted two different sets of Q-codes for use in amateur communications. The first set comes from the ITU civil series QRA through QUZ. Most of the meanings are identical to the ITU definitions, however, they must be looked at in the context of amateur communications. For example, QSJ? asks what the charges are for sending the telegraph. Since by regulation amateur communications are without charge, this Q-code couldn't make sense.

The second set is the set of QN Signals, used only in ARRL NTS nets. These operating signals generally have no equivalent in the ACP 131 publication or ITU publications, and are specifically defined only for use in ARRL NTS nets. They are not used in casual amateur radio communications.cite-ref-28[16]cite-ref-29[17]

Selected Q-codes were soon adopted by amateur radio operators. In December 1915, the American Radio Relay League began publication of a magazine titled QST, named after the Q-code for "General call to all stations". In amateur radio, the Q-codes were originally used in Morse code transmissions to shorten lengthy phrases and were followed by a Morse code question mark ( ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄ ) if the phrase was a question.

Q-codes are commonly used in voice communications as shorthand nouns, verbs, and adjectives making up phrases. For example, an amateur radio operator will complain about QRM (man-made interference), or tell another operator that there is "QSB on the signal" (fading); "to QSY" is to change your operating frequency, or to break in on a conversation QSK is often used even on VHF and UHF frequencies. (See also Informal usage, below.)

| Code | Question | Answer or statement |

|---|---|---|

| QRA | What is the name (or call sign) of your… | The name (or call sign) of my station i… |

| QRG | Will you tell me my exact frequency (or… | Your exact frequency (or that of ____ )… |

| QRH | Does my frequency vary? | Your frequency varies. |

| QRI | How is the tone of my transmission? | The tone of your transmission is (1. Go… |

| QRJ | How many voice contacts do you want to… | I want to make ____ voice contacts. |

| QRK | What is the readability of my signals (… | The readability of your signals (or tho… |

| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy (in contact with ____ ). Plea… |

| QRM | Do you have interference? | I have interference. |

| 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 (____ WPM ). |

| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly (____ WPM ). |

| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending. Often heard colloquially… |

| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have ____ messages for you. |

| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |

| QRW | Shall I inform ____ that you are callin… | Please inform ____ that I am calling (h… |

| QRX | Shall I standby? / When will you call m… | Please standby / I will call you again… |

| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by ____ on ____ kH… |

| QSA | What is the strength of my signals (or… | The strength of your signals (or those… |

| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |

| QSD | Is my keying defective? | Your keying is defective. |

| QSG | Shall I send ____ telegrams (messages)… | Send ____ telegrams (messages) at a tim… |

| QSK | Can you hear me between your signals? | I can hear you between my signals. |

| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I will acknowledge receipt. |

| QSM | Shall I repeat the last telegram (messa… | Repeat the last telegram (message) whic… |

| QSN | Did you hear me (or ____ (call sign)) o… | I did hear you (or ____ (call sign)) on… |

| QSO | Can you communicate with ____ direct or… | I can communicate with ____ direct (or… |

| QSP | Will you relay a message to ____ ? | I will relay a message to ____ . |

| QSR | Do you want me to repeat my call? | Please repeat your call; I did not hear… |

| QSS | What working frequency will you use? | I will use the working frequency ____ k… |

| QST | Should I repeat the prior message to al… | Here follows a broadcast message to all… |

| QSU | Shall I send or reply on this frequency… | Send or reply on this frequency (or on… |

| QSW | Will you send on this frequency (or on… | I am going to send on this frequency (o… |

| QSX | Will you listen to ____ (call sign(s) o… | I am listening to ____ (call sign(s) on… |

| QSY | Shall I change to transmission on anoth… | Change to transmission on another frequ… |

| QSZ | Shall I send each word or group more th… | Send each word or group twice (or ____… |

| QTA | Shall I cancel telegram (message) numbe… | Cancel telegram (message) number ____ a… |

| QTC | How many telegrams (messages) have you… | I have ____ telegrams (messages) for yo… |

| QTH | What is your position in latitude and l… | My position is ____ latitude ____ longi… |

| QTR | What is the correct time? | The correct time is ____ hours UTC . |

| QTU | At what times are you operating? | I am operating from ____ to ____ hours. |

| QTX | Will you keep your station open for fur… | I will keep my station open for further… |

| QUA | Have you news of ____ (call sign)? | Here is news of ____ (call sign). |

| QUC | What is the number (or other indication… | The number (or other indication) of the… |

| QUD | Have you received the urgency signal se… | I have received the urgency signal sent… |

| QUE | Can you speak in ____ (language) – with… | I can speak in ____ (language) on ____… |

| QUF | Have you received the distress signal s… | I have received the distress signal sen… |

Responses to a radiotelegraph Q-code query or a Q-code assertion may vary depending upon the code. For Q-code assertions or queries which only need to be acknowledged as received, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "R" for "Roger" which means "Received correctly". Sending an "R" merely means the code has been correctly received and does not necessarily mean that the receiving operator has taken any other action.

For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the affirmative, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "C" (Sounds like the Spanish word "Si"). For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the negative, the usual practice it to respond with the letter "N" for "no". For those Q-code assertions that merely need to be acknowledged as understood, the usual practice is to respond with the prosign SN (or VE) which means "understood". On telegraph cable networks "KK" was often used at the end of a reply to a Q-code to mean "OK" or "Acknowledged". This practice predates amateur radio as telegraph operators in the late 19th century are known to have used it.

QAC - Taken from the Articles of Association of the South Hampshire International Telegraphy Society, para 9: "...and amongst themselves they shall promote the Use of the Code QAC, which shall be taken as implying "All Compliments" and shall include:- VY 73 73 OM CUL BCNU & mni tnx fer nice/FB/rotten QSO GL GB hpe cuagn wid gud/btr/wrse condx mri Xms Hpi Nw Yr mni hpi rtrns gtgs fer Rosh Hoshanah/Id el Fitr/May Day/Tksgvg 88 to XYL/YL/Widow Ciao Cheerio & gud/FB/best DX or any Part or Parts thereof in any Permutation or Combination.cite-ref-32[20]

QLF – "Are you sending with your left foot? Try sending with your left foot!" A humorously derogatory comment about the quality of a person's sending.cite-ref-33[21]cite-ref-34[22]

QNB – QNB? “How many buttons on your radio?” “QNB 100/5” Means there are 100 and I know what 5 of them do.

QSK – "I can hear you during my transmission" – refers to a particular mode of Morse code operating often called QSK operation (full break-in) in which the receiver is quickly enabled during the spaces between the dits and dahs, which allows another operator to interrupt transmissions. Many modern transceivers incorporate this function, sometimes referred to as full break-in as against semi-break-in in which there is a short delay before the transceiver goes to receive.cite-ref-cios-35-0[23]

QSY – "Change to transmission on another frequency"; colloquially, "move [=change address]". E.g., "When did GKB QSY from Northolt to Portishead?"cite-ref-36[24]

QTH – "My location is ____"; colloquially in voice or writing, "location". E.g., "The OCF [antenna type] is an interesting build but at my QTH a disappointing performer."cite-ref-37[25]

QTHR – "At the registered location ____"; chiefly British use. Historically, the location in the printed Callbook; modernly, "as given in online government records for my callsign". E.g., "You can contact me QTHR".cite-ref-38[26]

QBL – “Quit Bein' a Lid” QBL is used among amateur radio operators to indicate humour in their CW transmission. While QBL is generally used by a small subsection of operators who can properly decode, it is available to anyone.

During World War II, according to Bletchley Park’s General Report on Tunny,cite-ref-39[27] German radio teleprinter networks used Q-codes to establish and maintain circuit connections.

In particular: QEP was to indicate the Lorenz cipher machine setting for each message and, QZZ to indicate that the daily key change was about to take place at the sender's station.

• ACP-131 – Defines Allied Military brevity codesPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

• Amateur radio – Use of radio frequency spectra for non-commercial purposes

• Brevity code – Radio and telegraph signals encoding longer definitions

• International Code of Signals – Maritime communication method

• International maritime signal flags – Flags used for naval communication

• Morse code – Transmission of language with brief pulses

• NOTAM Code – Brevity code for international aviationPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

• Prosigns for Morse code – Predefined shorthand signals

• QRA locator – Obsolete geographic coordination system

• QSK operation (full break-in) – Morse code operating mode

• Ten-code – Brevity codes used by a variety of US professionals

• Z code – Morse code operating signal of the US Army / NATO

cite-note-131. The information in response to QAM? may be given in Q-code form or METAR format.

cite-note-142. The answer to QBC is required to be an AIREP format message.

cite-note-153. When responding to QDF if the true altitude (radio altitude) is greater than the pressure altitude PS (Plus) is used and when it is less MS (Minus) is used.

cite-note-164. The format for response to QEM is sent as appropriate NOTAM code groups.

cite-note-175. The response format to QFP is sent using appropriate NOTAM code groups.

cite-note-186. In response to QFU the runway number is always indicated by a two-figure group and the magnetic direction by a three-figure group.

cite-note-197. When responding to QFY using other Q-codes, the information is sent in the following order: QAN, QBA, QNY, QBB, QNH and / or QFE and, if necessary, QMU, QNT, QBJ.

cite-note-208. When responding to QFZ using Q-codes the following sequence of answer (or advice) forms is to be used: QAN, QBA, QNY, QBB and, if necessary, QMU, QNT and QBJ.

cite-note-219. Aircraft reporting QMX information will transmit the temperature figures as corrected for airspeed.

cite-note-2210. If no amendments, respond to QMZ? with signal QMZ NIL.

cite-note-2311. When the setting in response to QNH? is given in hundredths of an inch (instead of millibars), the abbreviation "INS" is used to identify the units.

cite-note-2412. Regarding response to QNY?: When present weather information is transmitted by a ground station, the abbreviations shall be selected from those specified in Annex 3, paragraph 4.8.2. When present weather information is transmitted by an aircraft, the information shall be selected from items 10–12 of the AIREP form.

cite-note-11. ↑ citereffranklinFranklin, 277808-Elizabeth A. "Aero 16 – Polar Route Operations". Archived from the original on 13 November 2001. Retrieved 5 September 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

cite-note-22. ↑ citerefgreat-britain1909Great Britain, Post Office (October 1909). Handbook for wireless telegraph operators working installations licensed by His Majesty's postmaster-general. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. appendix iii. OCLC 40616664.

cite-note-33. ↑ citerefschroeder1967Schroeder, Peter B. (29 December 1967). "Contact at Sea: A History of Maritime Radio Communications". Ardent Media – via Google Books.

cite-note-44. ↑ Handbook for Radio Operators. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1975. pp. 155–174. ISBN 0118804626. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

cite-note-55. ↑ "Radio codes & signals – Florida". National Communications Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 January 1998. Retrieved 30 January 2010.

cite-note-66. ↑ "The Q-Code". Retrieved 5 September 2016.

cite-note-77. ↑ The ICAO Q-Code. Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS). ICAO. Doc 8400.

cite-note-88. ↑ "SM" (PDF). Retrieved 6 September 2016.

cite-note-99. ↑ "portland-amateur-radio-club.org.uk" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2016.

cite-note-1010. ↑ "Q-Codes". Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2009.

cite-note-1111. ↑ "Operating Signals" (PDF). Communications Instructions. March 1997. ACP 131(E). Archived from the original on 19 November 2011. Chapter 2 contains a full list of 'Q' codes

cite-note-1212. ↑ "List of Q-codes".

cite-note-2513. ↑ "RECOMMENDATION 1172". ITU-R M.1172. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015.

cite-note-ap-1994-ch13-2614. ↑ "Appendix 13. Miscellaneous Abbreviations and Signals to be Used in Radiotelegraphy Communications Except in the Maritime Mobile Service" (PDF). Radio Regulations. Vol. 1 (revised ed.). Geneva, CH: International Telecommunication Union. 1994 [1990]. pp. 543–568. ISBN 92-61-05171-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.

cite-note-ap-1994-ch14-2713. "Appendix 14". Radio Regulations. Vol. 1 (revised ed.). Geneva, CH: International Telecommunication Union. 1994 [1990]. ISBN 92-61-05171-5.

cite-note-2816. ↑ "Operating Signals". ARRL National Traffic System (NTS). 12 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.

cite-note-2917. ↑ "FSD-218 – Field Service Form: Instructions for NTS radiogram messages" (PDF).

cite-note-3014. "Morsum Magnificat Q & Z Codebook for the Morse-Telegraphy" (PDF). Retrieved 20 October 2024.

cite-note-itu-r-3115. "International Morse code Recommendation ITU-R M.1677-1". itu.int. International Telecommunication Union. October 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.

cite-note-3220. ↑ "G2JL Callsign Page". QRZ Callsign Database. Retrieved 2 March 2024.

cite-note-3321. ↑ citerefthe-free-dictionaryThe Free Dictionary. "Definition of QLF". The Free Dictionary. Retrieved 1 July 2016.

cite-note-3422. ↑ "Capitalizing on your Capital Project". ARRL.org. American Radio Relay League. Retrieved 1 July 2016.

cite-note-cios-3523. ↑ "Communications Instructions Operating Signals" (PDF). Combined Communications Electronics Board. April 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

cite-note-3624. ↑ "The uk.radio.amateur newsgroup" (Post). 21 August 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2013.

cite-note-3725. ↑ "Has anyone used a tuner with an Off Centre Fed Dipole? How well did it work?". Amateur Radio Wiki. Retrieved 4 August 2013.

cite-note-3826. ↑ "List of repeaters in the UK sorted by QTHR". Retrieved 1 June 2016.

cite-note-3927. ↑ "TR01-016". www.alanturing.net.

• Easy to Read Code Graphic

• "Handbook for Wireless Telegraph Operators". October 1909.

• 1912 London International Radiotelegraphic Convention. 8 May 1913.

• "List of Q-codes".

• "A resource for Morse Code operation in the amateur radio hobby".

• "Amateur Radio Q-Codes" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.

• "Q-Signals".

• "Radiotelegraph and Radiotelephone Codes, Prowords, and Abbreviations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015.

• "Recommendation 1172" (PDF). Geneva: International Telecommunication Union. ITU-R M.1172.