What are Q Codes and What do they Mean?
The Q code is a standardized collection of three-letter message encodings, all starting with the letter "Q", initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication, and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. 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 have often been limited to restrict ones starting with "Q" or having an embedded three-letter Q sequence.
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Standard Q-Signals or Codes
Day to day q-codes that hammers use.
QNC All net stations copy.QND Net is directed.
QNE Entire net stand by.
QNF Net is free.
QNG Take over as net control station.
QNI Net stations report in.
QNM You are QRMing the net.
QNN Net control station is [call sign].
QNO Station is leaving the net.
QNP Unable to copy you.
QNS Following stations are in the net.
QNT I request permission to leave the net.
QNU The net has traffic for you.
QNX You are excused from the net
QNY Shift to another frequency.
QNZ Zero beat your signal with mine.
QRG Will you tell me my exact frequency?
QRH Does my frequency vary?
QRJ Are you receiving me badly?
QRK What is the intelligibility of my signals?
QRL Are you busy?
QRM Is my transmission being interfered with?
QRN Are you troubled by static?
QRO Shall I increase power?
QRP Shall I decrease power?
QRQ Shall I send faster?
QRS Shall I send more slowly?
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Ham Radio Gifts
T-Shirts, Mugs, Mousepads, Sweatshirts and Posters for the Ham Radio Op
Interested in one of these designs or something else with YOUR CALL SIGN on it? We can do any of our items fully customized for you. Visit us at OnlineHamShack.com to email us for more information.
88 - "Hugs and Kisses" Teddy Bear
Love and Kisses! Ham Radio operators know what this means. Tell that special someone just how you feel about them. Love a ham op? Let them know using the q-signals and codes they use!
Price: $17.99 
Ham Radio XYL Jr. Ringer T-Shirt
Are you a Ham Radio Ops wife? Proudly display that fact! Great products that show that you are an XYL! These are awesome gifts for the lady in your life! Multiple designs and colors to choose from! - More colors and styles to choose from!
Price: $22.99
Ham Radio Operators Do It Wit Fitted T-Shirt
Ham Radio Operators do it with Frequency! Make a statement that addresses your hobby and your skill with one of these t-shirts, mugs or caps. Multiple colors and designs to choose from.
Price: $23.99
Morse Code Alphabet Large Framed Print
Morse code - important in the world of Ham Radio - know an Elmer who could use a little help? Just want to brush up on your dots and dashes? Lots of items to choose from with the Morse Code key!
Price: $38.99
QSX Oval Sticker
Will you listen? If you are a ham radio enthusiast you will! A great icebreaker and conversation starter, let people know what you love - Ham Radio!
Price: $4.49
Standard Q-Signals or Codes continued
QRU Have you anything for me?
QRV Are you ready?
QRX When will you call me again?
QRY What is my turn?
QRZ Who is calling me?
QSA What is the strength of my signals?
QSB Are my signals fading?
QSD Is my keying defective?
QSG Shall I send messages?
QSK Can you hear between your signals?
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt?
QSM Shall I repeat the last message?
QSN Did you hear me?
QSO Can you communicate with me?
QSP Will you relay?
QST General call preceding a message.
QSU Shall I send or reply on this frequency?
QSW Will you send on this frequency?
QSX Will you listen?
QSY Shall I change frequency?
QSZ Shall I send each word more than once?
QTA Shall I cancel message?
QTB Do you agree with my counting of words?
QTC How many messages have you to send?
QTH What is your location?
QTR What is the correct time?
More Gifts from Online Ham Shack
Coffee Mugs, Stickers, Hats and Posters for YOUR Ham Shack
Morse Code Ash Grey T-Shirt
Dashes and Dots...Dots and Dashes...This shirt will help you find others who can read Morse Code. Translated, this shirt says, "If You Can read this, you might be a nerd!
Price: $20.99
QRZ Large Mug
Who's Calling Me? QRZ? Find out who else is a ham op when you put your QRZ Mug on your desk! A great ice-breaker and conversation starter, let people know what you love!
Price: $15.99
No Kerchunk 3.5" Button (10 pack)
"Kerchunk" is a term used in ham radio that refer to the acts of transmitting a momentary signal to check a repeater without identifying. This is illegal!! Show your support of the RIGHT way to do things! We have value packs so you can buy for your club or friends!
Price: $26.99
Remember On a Clear Day You C Long Sleeve Dark T-S
When the weather is good, the ham opportunities are awesome! On a clear day you can hear forever! Show your love for ham radio with one of these great items.
Price: $30.99
Elmer Fitted T-Shirt
Are you a ham radio operator who helps others get their license? Show it off with this "Elmer" T-shirt. Elmer on the front and Ham Radio Operators Do It With Frequency on the back!
Price: $26.99
Fun Q Codes
These are great for chatting!
OC - Old ChapOM - Old Man
73 - Best Regards
88 - Hugs and Kisses
XYL - Wife
XL - Young Lady
Ham Shack - The room the radio is in
HI - Laugh in morse code
LID - Someone who is a poor operator
Reader Feedback
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stockysister
Nov 17, 2011 @ 3:02 pm | delete
- Thanks! I can never remember these lol
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Sep 26, 2011 @ 5:45 am | delete
- The CB radios stands for citizen band radios, this is for the fact that citizen mostly used them for everyday purposes hence the name. This radio are often found in vehicles, these radios are attached to an antenna and usually powered by the vehicles battery. This is used to communicate with other vehicle which also have them installed. Usually we see this these devices on most 16 wheeler trucks.
Caribbean Radio
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Rosa D
Jul 29, 2011 @ 1:16 am | delete
- One particular nice edge of use of a ham radio network at activities like this is that it is instantaneous several-to-various communications. If a little something comes up that Absolutely everyone may want to know about - they will - and promptly. With use of cell phones or other more compact networks (police use their frequencies, hearth works by using their frequencies, and so on.) all people may likely not get the concept at the comparable time. The drawback of a various-to-several network is that it can be disorganized. This is the place there is a acquire-acquire scenario with the ham radio community. Get radios here: cb radios for sale
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Exogprod
Jul 7, 2011 @ 6:59 am | delete
- Richard is Correct [ YL = young lady! ] why don't you change it, rather than mis-lead someone?
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optimus
Dec 17, 2010 @ 4:08 pm | delete
- hamuniverse.com also has some q codes. You might want check it out to make sure you didn't miss any.
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