Q-signals reference
Common Q-codes used in amateur radio. QTH, QSL, QRM, QRZ, and more explained.
Q-code shorthand used in amateur radio and maritime communications.
Common Q-signals in amateur radio
Q-signals originated in maritime radiotelegraphy as shorthand codes. Amateur radio adopted the most useful ones. Each Q-signal can be a question (with a question mark) or a statement.
Most frequently used
| Q-signal | As a question | As a statement |
|---|---|---|
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by... |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is... |
| QSL | Can you confirm receipt? | I confirm receipt |
| QSY | Shall I change frequency? | Change frequency to... |
| QRM | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static |
| QSB | Is my signal fading? | Your signal is fading |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? | Decrease power / low power operation |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power / high power operation |
| QRT | Shall I stop transmitting? | I am stopping transmission |
| QRX | When will you call again? | I will call again at... |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready |
Less common but useful
| Q-signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QSO | A radio contact (conversation) |
| QRA | What is the name of your station? / My station name is... |
| QRG | What is my exact frequency? / Your frequency is... |
| QRI | How is my tone? / Your tone is... |
| QRK | How readable is my signal? / Your signal readability is... |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? / Send more slowly |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? / Send faster |
| QRU | Do you have anything for me? / I have nothing for you |
| QSA | What is my signal strength? / Your signal strength is... |
| QTR | What is the correct time? / The time is... |
The unofficial one
| Q-signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QLF | Are you sending with your left foot? |
QLF is not in any official list and never was — it's traditional CW humor for rough sending, and operators have been needling each other with it for generations. If someone sends it to you, mind your spacing. Some hams answer "QLF? I was!"
Usage in practice
Most hams use only a handful of Q-signals in daily operating:
- "What's your QTH?" = Where are you located?
- "QRZ?" = Who's calling? (used by the station in charge of a frequency)
- "I'll QSY to 14.250" = I'll move to 14.250 MHz
- "QRM on this frequency" = There's interference here
- "Running QRP today" = Operating low power
- "QRT for dinner" = Signing off to eat
- "QSL via bureau" = Confirmation card sent via the QSL bureau system
Q-signals are used on both CW and voice, though on voice some operators consider them lazy shorthand when plain language would be clearer.