Ham Radio Q Codes Reference
Searchable reference of Q codes used in amateur radio. Filter by category, find plain-English meanings, and see real usage examples. Plus the complete NATO phonetic alphabet.
Showing 28 of 28 Q codes
| Code | Question | Statement | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| QRA | What is the name of your station? | The name of my station is... | Station Info |
| QRG | What is my exact frequency? | Your exact frequency is... | Station Info |
| QRK | What is the readability of my signals? | The readability of your signals is... (1 to 5). | Signal Reporting |
| QRL Common | Is this frequency in use? | This frequency is in use. Example: QRL? (sent before calling CQ on a frequency) | Procedural |
| QRM Common | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with (man-made interference). Example: Heavy QRM on this frequency from a nearby station. | Signal Reporting |
| QRN Common | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static (natural interference). Example: Lots of QRN from the thunderstorm to the south. | Signal Reporting |
| QRO Common | Shall I increase transmitter power? | I am increasing transmitter power. High-power operation. | General |
| QRP Common | Shall I decrease transmitter power? | I am decreasing transmitter power. Low-power operation. Example: Running QRP at 5 watts into a dipole on 40 meters. | General |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Please send faster. | Signal Reporting |
| QRR | Are you ready for automatic operation? | I am ready for automatic operation. | General |
| QRS Common | Shall I send more slowly? | Please send more slowly. Example: QRS please, I am a new CW operator. | Signal Reporting |
| QRT Common | Shall I stop sending? | I am stopping transmission. Example: Going QRT for the night, 73! | Procedural |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. | Traffic Handling |
| QRV Common | Are you ready? | I am ready. | Procedural |
| QRW | Shall I tell... that you are calling? | Please tell... that I am calling. | General |
| QRX Common | When will you call again? | I will call you again at... Example: QRX 5 minutes, I need to adjust my antenna. | Procedural |
| QRZ Common | Who is calling me? | You are being called by... Example: QRZ? This is W1AW. | Procedural |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals? | The strength of your signals is... (1 to 5). | Signal Reporting |
| QSB Common | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. Example: You have deep QSB, signal dropping in and out. | Signal Reporting |
| QSK | Can you hear me between your signals? | I can hear you between my signals. Break-in operation. Example: Operating QSK for full break-in CW. | Procedural |
| QSL Common | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I acknowledge receipt. Example: QSL your report, thanks! Will send QSL card via bureau. | Traffic Handling |
| QSO Common | Can you communicate with... directly? | I can communicate with... directly. Example: Had a nice QSO with a station in Japan on 20 meters. | Procedural |
| QSP | Will you relay a message? | I will relay a message. | Procedural |
| QST Common | (Not used as a question.) | General call to all stations. Example: QST QST QST, this is W1AW with a bulletin. | General |
| QSY Common | Shall I change frequency? | I am changing frequency to... Example: Let's QSY to 146.520 for simplex. | Procedural |
| QTC | How many messages do you have to send? | I have... messages for you. | Traffic Handling |
| QTH Common | What is your position/location? | My position/location is... Example: My QTH is Seattle, Washington, grid CN87. | Station Info |
| QTR | What is the correct time? | The correct time is... | Traffic Handling |
NATO Phonetic Alphabet
Used in ham radio to spell out call signs and other information clearly over the air.
Letters
| A | Alpha | AL-FAH |
| B | Bravo | BRAH-VOH |
| C | Charlie | CHAR-LEE |
| D | Delta | DELL-TAH |
| E | Echo | ECK-OH |
| F | Foxtrot | FOKS-TROT |
| G | Golf | GOLF |
| H | Hotel | HOH-TEL |
| I | India | IN-DEE-AH |
| J | Juliet | JEW-LEE-ETT |
| K | Kilo | KEY-LOH |
| L | Lima | LEE-MAH |
| M | Mike | MIKE |
| N | November | NO-VEM-BER |
| O | Oscar | OSS-CAR |
| P | Papa | PAH-PAH |
| Q | Quebec | KEH-BECK |
| R | Romeo | ROW-ME-OH |
| S | Sierra | SEE-AIR-AH |
| T | Tango | TANG-GO |
| U | Uniform | YOU-NEE-FORM |
| V | Victor | VIK-TAH |
| W | Whiskey | WISS-KEY |
| X | X-ray | ECKS-RAY |
| Y | Yankee | YANG-KEY |
| Z | Zulu | ZOO-LOO |
Numbers
| 0 | Zero | ZE-RO |
| 1 | One | WUN |
| 2 | Two | TOO |
| 3 | Three | TREE |
| 4 | Four | FOW-ER |
| 5 | Five | FIFE |
| 6 | Six | SIX |
| 7 | Seven | SEV-EN |
| 8 | Eight | AIT |
| 9 | Nine | NIN-ER |
What Are Q Codes?
Q codes are three-letter abbreviations that all start with the letter Q. They were originally developed in the early 1900s for commercial maritime radio, where operators needed to communicate standard information quickly across language barriers. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standardized them, and amateur radio operators adopted a subset for everyday use.
Each Q code has two forms: a question form (when followed by a question mark in CW) and a statement form. For example, "QTH?" means "What is your location?" while "QTH Seattle" means "My location is Seattle."
While there are over 100 official Q codes, amateur radio operators regularly use only about 15 to 20 of them. The rest are primarily used in commercial and military communications.
Most Common Q Codes for Beginners
If you are just getting started, focus on these codes first. You will hear them in almost every on-air conversation:
- QTH - Location. "My QTH is Seattle."
- QSL - Confirmation. "QSL your report."
- QSO - A contact or conversation between stations.
- QRZ - "Who is calling me?" Also the name of a popular ham radio directory website.
- QSY - Change frequency. "Let's QSY to simplex."
- QRM - Man-made interference.
- QRN - Natural interference (static).
- QRP - Low-power operation (typically 5 watts or less).
- QRT - Signing off. "Going QRT for the night."
- QRL - "Is this frequency in use?" Always check before calling CQ.
Q Codes vs. Ham Radio Abbreviations
Q codes are formal ITU abbreviations, but ham radio also uses many informal abbreviations and shorthand that are not Q codes:
- 73 - Best regards (not "73s", which is redundant)
- 88 - Love and kisses
- CQ - General call ("seek you"), calling any station
- DX - Long distance or foreign stations
- OM - Old man (any male operator)
- YL - Young lady (any female operator)
- HI - Laughter (CW equivalent of "ha ha")
These informal abbreviations are part of ham radio culture but are not part of the ITU Q code system.
NATO Phonetic Alphabet in Ham Radio
The NATO phonetic alphabet is used constantly in ham radio to spell out call signs, names, and locations clearly over the air. For example, the call sign W1AW would be spoken as "Whiskey One Alpha Whiskey."
Using the standard phonetic alphabet prevents confusion between similar-sounding letters (like B and D, or M and N). While some operators use non-standard phonetics, sticking to the NATO standard is considered best practice, especially during contests or when working DX stations.
New to ham radio? Check out our ham band chart to learn which frequencies you can use, or take our practice quiz to test your exam readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does QTH mean in ham radio?
QTH means "my location is..." when used as a statement, or "what is your location?" when used as a question. It is one of the most frequently used Q codes in amateur radio. You will hear it in nearly every on-air conversation, often as "my QTH is [city]."
What is the difference between QRM and QRN?
QRM refers to man-made interference, such as signals from other stations, electrical noise from appliances, or deliberate jamming. QRN refers to natural interference, primarily atmospheric static from thunderstorms or other weather phenomena. Both reduce your ability to hear a signal, but QRM can sometimes be avoided by changing frequency.
Do I need to memorize all Q codes for the ham radio exam?
No. The Technician exam only tests a handful of the most common Q codes, mainly QRM, QRN, QTH, QSL, and QRZ. You do not need to memorize the full list. In practice, you will pick up the common ones naturally as you listen to conversations on the air.
Are Q codes used on FM and repeaters?
Q codes are used less frequently on FM and repeaters compared to HF and CW operation. On FM, most operators use plain English instead. However, some codes like QTH, QSY, and QSL are still commonly heard. On HF, especially in CW (Morse code) operation, Q codes are essential because they allow complex information to be exchanged efficiently.
What is QSL and how do QSL cards work?
QSL means "I acknowledge receipt" or "can you confirm?" In amateur radio, QSL cards are postcards exchanged between operators to confirm a two-way contact. They typically include call signs, date, time, frequency, and signal report. Cards can be sent directly by mail, through a QSL bureau (a volunteer forwarding service), or electronically via services like Logbook of the World (LoTW) or eQSL.