Ham Radio Q-Codes & CW Slang
Complete reference for amateur radio Q-codes and CW (Continuous Wave) abbreviations used worldwide by ham radio operators.
What Are Q-Codes?
Q-codes are three-letter codes starting with Q, originally developed for telegraph and radio communication. They allow operators to exchange standard messages quickly in any language — essential for international ham radio contacts (QSOs). All Q-codes can be used as questions (?) or statements.
Essential Q-Codes — Every Ham Must Know
| Code | Meaning (Statement) | Meaning (Question) |
|---|---|---|
| QRG | Your exact frequency is ___ | What is my exact frequency? |
| QRH | Your frequency varies | Does my frequency vary? |
| QRK | Readability is ___ (1–5) | What is my signal readability? |
| QRL | I am busy / frequency in use | Are you busy? Is this frequency in use? |
| QRM | Your transmission is interfered with | Is my transmission interfered with? |
| QRN | You are troubled by static | Are you troubled by static? |
| QRO | Increase transmitter power | Shall I increase transmitter power? |
| QRP | Decrease transmitter power / low power operation | Shall I decrease power? (Also: low-power radio) |
| QRQ | Send faster | Shall I send faster? |
| QRS | Send more slowly | Shall I send more slowly? |
| QRT | Stop sending / closing station | Shall I stop sending? |
| QRV | I am ready | Are you ready? |
| QRZ | You are being called by ___ | Who is calling me? |
| QSB | Your signals are fading | Are my signals fading? |
| QSL | I acknowledge receipt / QSL card | Can you acknowledge receipt? |
| QSO | I can communicate with ___ | Can you communicate with ___? (Also: a radio contact) |
| QSY | Change to frequency ___ | Shall I change frequency? |
| QTH | My location is ___ | What is your location? |
| QTR | The correct time is ___ | What is the correct time? |
Common CW Abbreviations & Ham Slang
| Code | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Best regards | Closing a contact: “73 de W1XYZ” |
| 88 | Love and kisses | To close friends; “73 and 88” |
| CQ | General call to any station | “CQ CQ CQ de W1XYZ” — calling all stations |
| DE | From (French: “de”) | “W1XYZ de W2ABC” = W2ABC calling W1XYZ |
| K | Go ahead (any station) | End of transmission, inviting reply |
| SK | End of contact / silent key | Closing a QSO; also deceased ham operator |
| AR | End of message | Sent as one prosign: ·—·—· |
| BK | Break / invite response | Mid-transmission check-in |
| DX | Long-distance contact | “Working DX” = contacting distant stations |
| ES | And | “73 ES 88” = “Best regards and love” |
| FB | Fine business / excellent | “FB OM” = “Excellent, old man” |
| HI | Laughter | CW equivalent of “haha” |
| NR | Number | “NR 5” = message number 5 |
| OM | Old man (any male ham) | Friendly address between operators |
| PSE | Please | “PSE QRS” = “Please slow down” |
| RST | Readability, Strength, Tone report | “599” = perfect signal |
| RX / TX | Receiver / Transmitter | Radio hardware abbreviations |
| TU | Thank you | Common closing |
| UR | Your | “UR RST 599” = “Your signal report is 599” |
| WPM | Words per minute | CW speed measurement |
| XYL | Wife (ex-young-lady) | “My XYL is a ham too” |
| YL | Young lady (any female ham) | Address for female operator |