Q-Signals
Communicating with Other Hams(Contact Basics: Good Amateur Practices)
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Q-signals are a system of radio shorthand as old as wireless and developed from even older telegraphy codes. Q-signals are a set of abbreviations for common information that save time and allow communication between operators who don’t speak a common language. Modern ham radio uses them extensively.The table below lists the most common Q-signals used by hams.While Q-signals were developed for use by Morse operators, their use is common on phone, as well.You will often hear, “QRZed?” as someone asks “Who is calling me?” or “I’m getting a little QRM” from an operator receiving some interference or “Let’s QSY to 146.55” as two operators change from a repeater frequency to a nearby simplex communications frequency.
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Q-Signals
Abbr.-----Question
QRG Your exact frequency (or that of __) is ___kHz. Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ____)?
QRL I am busy (or I am busy with ___). Are you busy? Usually used to see if a frequency is busy.
QRM Your transmission is being interfered with ___ (1. Nil; 2. Slightly; 3. Moderately; 4. Severely; 5. Extremely.) Is my transmission being interfered with?
QRN I am troubled by static _________. (1 to 5 as under QRM.) Are you troubled by static? QRO Increase power. Shall I increase power?
QRP Decrease power. Shall I decrease power?
QRQ Send faster (___wpm). Shall I send faster?
QRS Send more slowly (___wpm). Shall I send more slowly?
QRT Stop sending. Shall I stop sending?
QRU I have nothing for you. Have you anything for me?
QRV I am ready. Are you ready?
QRX I will call you again at ______hours (on ______kHz). When will you call me again?
QRZ You are being called by ___ (on __kHz). Who is calling me?
QSB Your signals are fading. Are my signals fading?
QSK I can hear you between signals; break in on my transmission. Can you hear me between your signals and if so can I break in on your transmission?
QSL I am acknowledging receipt. Can you acknowledge receipt (of a message or transmission)?
QSO I can communicate with _________ direct (or relay through ______). Can you communicate with ______ direct or by relay?
QSX I am listening to ______ on ______kHz.Will you listen to ______on ______kHz?
QSY Change to transmission on another frequency (or on ______kHz). Shall I change to transmission on another frequency (or on ______kHz)?
QTH My location is _________.What is your location?
QTR The time is _________.What is the correct time?
