Ham Radio Q Signals
Part of the Ham Radio For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Amateur ham radio operators use Q signals (or Q codes) as shorthand to speed up non-voice communication. Each Q signal represents information: advice, an answer, or a call for action. You turn the signal into a question by adding a question mark right after the Q signal. This list of common Q signals shows the meanings of the codes as they'd appear with and without a question mark:
| Q Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QRL | Is the frequency busy? The frequency is busy. Please do not interfere. |
| QRM | Abbreviation for interference from other signals. |
| QRN | Abbreviation for interference from natural or man-made 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. |
| QRU | Have you anything more for me? I have nothing more for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? I am ready. |
| QRX | Standby. |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? |
| QSB | Abbreviation for signal fading. |
| QSL | Received and understood. |
| QSO | Abbreviation for a contact. |
| QST | General call preceding a message addressed to all amateurs. |
| QSX | I am listening on ___ kHz. |
| QSY | Change to transmission on another frequency (or to ___ kHz). |
| QTH | What is your location? My location is ____. |
