This site introduces the top 10 Q-codes which you are most likely to encounter during a ham radio voice conversation (or QSO). But what is a Q-code? The so called Q code is a collection of 3 letter acronyms starting with the letter Q initially developed for radiotelegraph (‚morse code‘) communication. A subset of those Q codes are also in voice communication.
Author’s Note: Obviously this selection is heavily influenced by my preference for portable ham radio operations, if you different operating modes your Top 10 Q-code list might look different.
| Q-code | Meaning as Question | Meaning as Answer/Statement | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt. | Usage: When you want to confirm the correct reception of information by the other party. A: "Your SOTA reference number is OE/OO-129, I repeat OE/OO-129, QSL?" B: "QSL" |
| QSB | Is my signal fading? | Your signal is fading. | Usage: When you experience signal-fading due to rapidly changing propagation conditions. A: "Your report is 45 with QSB, I repeat your report is 4-by-5 with QSB". |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by ... on ... kHz | Usage (Original): When a station has called you but you did not copy the full callsign. A: "OE5LXR/P, this is DL1XXX, your report is 44." B: "DL1? QRZ?" A: "OE5LXR/P, this is DL1XXX, I repeat D-L-1-X-X-X, QSL?" B: "QSL, DL1XXX, this is OE5LXR/P, your report is also 44." Usage (Currently) When you are in a pile-up situation with multiple stations calling you and you've just finished your last call. A: "DL1XXX, thank you very much for your call, 73" B: "73" A: "OE5LXR/P, QRZ?" |
| QSO | Can you communicate with ...? | I can communicate with ... . | Usage: QSO is a common short hand for a ham radio conversation. A: "DL1XXX, this is OE5LXR/P, thank you very much for the QSO, have a nice evening, 73." |
| QRM | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with. | Usage: To inform the other party of a signal interference by a 3rd party where the source of interference is man-made. A: "DL1XXX, this is OE5LXR/P. You've got some heavy QRM on your signal." B: "QSL, my QTH is in the city and there is a lot of QRM due to switched power supplies." |
| QTH | What is your position? | My position is ... | Usage: For informing the other party of your current location or asking for their location. A: "OE/DL1XXX/P, this is OE5LXR/P, my current QTH is OE/OO-129, Pfenningberg, what's your QTH?" B: "QSL, my QTH is OE/TI-517, Hohe Salve." A: "QSL, thank you very much for summit-to-summit!" |
| QSY | Should I change to transmission on another frequency? | Change to transmission on another frequency. | Usage: To perform a change of frequency if the one currently in use becomes unusable (e.g. due to man made noise (QRM) caused by a strong station on a adjacent frequency). A: "OE5LXR/P, this is DL1XXX, there is strong QRM on your signal, I suggest QSY to 14385" B: "QSL, QSY 14385" |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. | Usage: Less used in the actual QSO but might be seen as a comment in a spot or alert, e.g. "ETA +/- 30 min, will spot when QRV" |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power. | Usage: In a situation when the signal of the other station is very weak you may ask them to increase power. A: DL1XXX, this is OE5LXR/P, you are very weak, very weak, QRO, QRO, QRO. |
| QRT | Shall I cease or suspend operation? | I am suspending operation. | Usage: When you are ceasing operation from your current location. A: "OE5LXR/P is ceasing operation from OE/OO-129, OE5LXR/P QRT". |