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AN ONLINE MORSE-CODE TRANSLATOR
CW
LIVES
ON THE AIR SLOW SPEED CHAT GROUP --- A way to practice your slow speed code. It is part of the FISTS GROUP. Mon thru Fri schedule is at 1400Z on 15m (21.158 or 21.058... the FISTS calling frequencies).
CW Operating -- by Robert Halprin
Morse Code; Breaking the Barrier -- by Dave Finley
Buy the Book Today!
NOTE: The use of periods and hyphens in the tables below are for ease of presentation, many code instructors use a handout and teach with the sound equivalent. That is A= dit dah or didah, etc. When reading the mores characters do not say dot dash, rather learn to see ·- and say as didah
MORSE CHARACTERS
A ·-
B -···
C -·-·
D -··
E ·
F ··-·
G --·
H ····
I ··
J ·---
K -·-
L ·-··
M --
N -·
O ---
P ·--·
Q --·-
R ·-·
S ···
T -
U ··-
V ···-
W ·--
X -··-
Y -·--
Z --··
1 ·----
2 ··---
3 ···--
4 ····-
5 ·····
6 -····
7 --···
8 ---··
9 ----·
0 -----
OTHER MORSE CHARACTERS
.
,
/
+
=
?
(
)
-
"
!
Period ·-·-·-
Comma --··--
Slash(1) -··-·
Plus ·-·-·
Equal -···-
Question ··--··
Open Paren -·--·
Close Paren -·--·-
Dash -····-
Quote ·-··-·
Exclamation Point None
at Present
_
'
:
;
$
Underscore ··--·-
Single Quote ·----·
Colon(1) ---···
Semicolon -·-·-·
Dollar Sign ···-··-
Warning .-..-
Error ........
Repetition(ii ii) .. ..
@ Sign -- AC run together.
i.e., ·--·-· or simply AT
See Note 2
NOTES (1)also:'divided by'
(2)To keep up with the times,
the IARU has proposed adding a new
character--the commercial "at"
or @ symbol--to permit sending e-mail
addresses in Morse code. The draft new
recommendation proposes using the
letters A and C run together
(.--.-.) to represent the @ symbol.
Tis pending approval. Meanwhile
simply send "AT", today's Hams will
know it means "@".
|
Note: 'umlaut' is also known as 'diaeresis' (2) Used only in German; not in Dutch. |
ABBREVIATED NUMBERS Also termed "CUT NUMBERS"
1 ·- A
These are sometimes used in contests for reports and serial numbers, the most
common being: |
OTHER MORSE CODE ALPHABETS - Greek, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese -- URL1, URL2, URL3
FOR MORSE PROGRAMS AND SOFTWARE - CLICK HERE
METHODS
OF LEARNING MORSE CODE
There is no one way to learn the code
that will work for everyone. Beware of the ham who says “here is a sure fire
way to learn the code”. Here are several methods – choose the one that works
best for you.
AUDIBLE
- Probably the most popular and effective method. For many, the instant recognition of a
SOUND and the association with a character (letter, number, punctuation, prosign)
or whole word is usually
recommended. The less interpretation needed between the initial hearing and
recognition, the better. As you progress - try not to repeat the sound --
just strive for instant recognition.
Most
USA tests are given in the Farnsworth method - that is 12 WPM character speed, 5 WPM overall speed.
BEFORE ANYTHING -- check with your local testing group FIRST to determine if you are tested in Farnsworth -- then study that way --
many who have
studied straight 5 WPM - couldn't
copy a darn thing in Farnsworth.
MUSICALLY
OR LANGUAGE ASSOCIATED -- Some learn musically or language associated- some learn it as a song or word --
dah dah ditit -- The zebra did it - letter Z.
dah dah
di dah here comes the bride - she is a queen
- letter Q.
Dog did it," "dah-di-di!" Letter D - See Code Quick
One musician recommends: "As for the music and CW, it may appeal to you. It's the rhythm
that does it. Tap your foot to a 4 x 1 cadence. Then tap your finger on the desk
in sequence with it. Tap it three times and you have a "S" tap it four
times you have a "H" tap it five times you have a
"5". Now do this while keeping the foot going: Send a "V"
di di dit dah. Keep in cadence. Catch the rhythm? great
isn't it?"
VISUAL
-- some learn best by seeing it on the screen as they hear it.
AUDIBLE
- INVERSE -
Some study the opposites A (didah) then N (dahdit), K then R, etc.
AUDIBLE
PHONETICS -
Some learn by associating it with the NATO Alphabet
i.e, dit-dah followed by A or ALPHA after a while you will hear dit dah
and A or alpha pops into the brain.
PATTERNS
-There are patterns in morse code letters. For example: the letter A is similar
to the letter W except that the letter W has an additional dah to it. One might
study A (didah), W (didadah), J (didahdahdah), 1(didahdahdahdah) in order, then mixed. This is effective if one has difficulty
in discerning J from 1 etc.
TYPING
- some find that they have an automatic reflex to hearing a character and
hitting the right key on a keyboard. Check with your VEC if they will allow you
to take the test this way. One of our local examiners does allow this as well as
a Braille keyboard for the blind.
SENDING
– Some folks learn better by sending with a key. Others read signs while
driving on the highway and mentally send the characters. This is usually in conjunction with a listening method.
CHARACTERS
- at 5 WPM (non-farnsworth) it is feasible to repeat (or count) the dits and dahs in your head
and pass the test --- this is the hard way and Farnsworth makes this tough –
NOT RECOMMENDED but may be the only way for some.
PLAIN
TEXT VS MIXED RANDOM CHARACTERS. Studying
Morse in plain text gives the advantage of being able to anticipate what is
coming next where mixed random characters – ya gotta know them all. Maybe
practice both if that works for you.
KOCH
METHOD -
Learn morse code using high speed random characters.
FARNSWORTH - Farnsworth morse is composed of higher speed characters sent with longer than standard spacing between them. This means that the mind gets used to hearing the "right sounds" while having plenty of time to think about them. All the great code schools of the past used Farnsworth teaching.
BRAIN
SOAK –
Some folks give up on methods and just plain listen to code practice until one
day it just all comes together. The impediment to increasing speed and
proficiency is called a barrier which you may feel you will never hurdle, but is
amazing when one day after brain soaking – it magically all comes together.
Your mileage may vary.
COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND COURSES - There are many available -- see Morse Programs and try them out -- choose the one that works the best for you. Remember that the one that works for your buddy or elmer may or may not be the best for you.
FOR MANY -- studying EVERY day for 15 to 30 minutes is successful. Leaving long periods between study sessions is usually counter-productive. Studying for long periods at a session - frazzles many a brain.
One long time code instructor advises; "Most people's problems with the code stem from trying to learn it too fast without sufficient drilling before they move on to each new letter. The average person needs about 30 hours of study and practice on the code to hit 5 wpm. Now this is an average. Some will take longer and some will take less." So a half hour in the morning, a half hour in the evening and in a month -- you should have it.
Another advises: Whatever method you use, try to *hear* the code directly as a letter. IOW, don't try to translate the sound into dot-dash and translate that into A, just hear the dot-dash and think A. Easier said than done, but when you master it your receiving speed will increase dramatically.
IN SUMMARY - THERE IS NO ONE SURE FIRE WAY -- THE LEARNER IS ENCOURAGED TO TRY THE METHODS AND PROGRAMS THAT GIVE THE BEST RESULTS.
Also Excellent Reading "The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy" By William G. Pierpont N0HFF -- Available for downloading in PDF
PASSING THE CODE TEST From W6YOO, Escondido, CA VE
(of ourse, code is no longer required to pass, but we're keeping the following for historical sake)
NOTE: Following is a typical exam handout sheet used in San Diego. Before you study the code or prepare for a test, call YOUR VEC and get the latest information. You will want to know in what manner to study, note that in the example, code characters are sent at 13 wpm, with the spacing adjusted for overall 5 wpm speed – study accordingly is recommended. The VEC’s in your particular area can be found at URL: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/veclist.html
When you put the earphones on and the tape is started, you will hear one minute of practice to help you loosen up. This will also give you the opportunity to make sure the volume is set high enough to allow you to hear the characters being sent. An example of the one-minute practice might be like the following:
V V V WA7VXB/8 de N3YZW BT RRR Thanks
Roger for the nice report. Your report is RST 569 ? 569 here in Gambrills, MD.
My name is Julles and I work as a Keypunch Operator. My age is 30 and I am
married and have 2 children. The rig is a Yaesu 101B putting out 75 watts to a 2
element Quad antenna. I feed the antenna with 50 ohm coaxial cable. The weather
here is warm and breezy, temperature is 74 degrees. So how copy? AR WA7VXB/8 de
N3YZW SK
You will note that the sample QSO contains
all of the alphabet letters, numbers 1 thru 0, punctuation such as the period,
comma, question mark, slant bar, and the prosigns BT, AR, and SK. All of these
are required by the FCC to demonstrate your knowledge of the
Morse Code. The actual
QSO you hear will be approximately five minutes in duration.
Following your listening to the QSO, we
will check your copy looking for a string of 25 characters in a row without
error. If you have copied 25 characters in a row without error, you pass. If
not, you will be provided with an answer sheet with ten questions about the QSO
you just copied. If you answer seven (7) or more correctly, you pass. Each
letter in the text counts as one (1) character, numbers, punctuation and
prosigns count as two. If you have the appropriate number of characters in a row
correct, you pass the code test. As you see, you have two chances to pass.
What are the questions like? Following are some examples, along with the correct answer:
What is the callsign of the station being called? WA7VXB/8
What is the callsign of the calling station? N3YZW
What is the name of the operator being called? Roger
What is the name of the calling operator? Julles
What is the calling operators job? Keypunch Operator
What make and model radio is he using? Yaesu l01B
What kind of antenna is he using? 2 Element Quad
What kind of feedline is he using? 50 Ohm Coaxial Cable
How many children does he have? 2
What is the temperature at his
location? 74 Degrees
You will note that there is emphasis on
callsigns and numbers,
pay close attention to the make and model of the radio being used and the
antenna system. Remember which is the calling station and the station being
called. Some have had the calls correct, but reversed them on the answer sheet.
READ THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY!
Remember, your first chance at passing is
your text. Go back over it carefully, you are going to have some blank spots.
Use your best judgment as to what is missing. Remember, state abbreviations will
probably be sent as two letters, e.g. CA not CAL or Calif. We will start
counting with the first correct character and continue until you miss. We will
start again at the next correct character and continue until you miss again. We
do this until the end of the text, counting letters as one (1), numbers and
punctuation, and prosigns as two (2) characters. If we find enough correct in a
string, i.e. 25 you pass.
Suppose your text looked like this before
you went back over it to see if you could fill in where you missed a character:
"The rig i_, a Ya_su 101B put _g out 75 w___s to a 2 el_m_nt Q __d ant__na."
That line is sixty-six (66) characters
long. When you go back over your text, don't you think you could fill in the
blanks? If you know rig names and models, types of antennas, feed lines, etc.
you should have no problems. Another thing -- penmanship is important, write or
print your letters and numbers carefully, so we can read your writing. Block
printing is best, but try not to lose out because a cursive "c" looked like an
"e". It is not pleasant for us to have you miss out by a single character.
If you have any specific questions, be sure to ask one of the Volunteer Examiners before your Morse Code Receiving Test begins. We wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing you on the bands. YOUR VOLUNTEER EXAMINER TEAM
Thanks to Harry A. Hodges, W6YOO, ARRL
ASM - VE Team Leader
AC6V
Note -- When You pass the Tech License --- SEE
NEW
TO 2 METER FM REPEATERS? See FM101x
Added note for calculators -- most exam sessions allow a four banger but memories must be wiped cleaned
CW OPERATING PROCEDURES -- From AC6V's Book DX101X
A1-1. CW TUTORIAL
In addition to the quickie DXpedition and
contest CW contacts, you can work a lot of DX in a one-on-one QSO.
A lot of common DX is available on CW, with very little competition. For
example, the mob will pileup on a European station on phone, but on CW on many
occasions you can hear that same country calling CQ with no takers. An excellent
CW Tutorial can be found by Jack Wagoner WB8FSV at URL:
http://www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.htm
Lets take it step by step.
Have a list of CW Abbreviations, Prefixes, and Q-Signals handy. Some DX stations cannot converse in English but you both can get the essentials across with Q-Signals.
Know how to “zero beat” a CW signal. Many stations have very narrow filters and you want to be in their bandpass. Refer to the operating manual for your radio.
Know how to use your RIT, XIT, Dual VFO’s, and CW filters. See Chapter 2.
Listen for a DX station calling CQ or wait until they have finished with a QSO.
Good operators will send KN as a turn over, which is “go ahead, over, others keep out.” Sending just K opens it for others to break in and this is OK if that is desired. SK is the signoff that should be used or CL (“clear”) if closing your station.
Give a call in 1 X 2 call format -- DX11DX DE WZ9UUU WA9UUU AR (The AR is a prosign sent as one character, i.e. didahdidahdit and means that I am through with this transmission). The DX station knows their call, so send it once. Sending your call twice allows the other station to hear it, then confirm it.
If you make the connection, the usual follow up is his or her signal report, repeated twice if the contact is shaky and weak, then your name and QTH. Don’t send more than that on the first round. Turn it back to the DX with a K or KN. This will allow the two of you to evaluate if a QSO is sustainable or desirable.
On the next over, ask about QSL information if you want it, before the band slips out.
If no DX is calling CQ, but the band seems open, find a clear frequency and listen for a bit, if clear, then send QRL? QRL asks is the frequency busy? If someone responds with C, or QRL, no need to respond and clutter up the frequency. If no response to your QRL, repeat a couple of times and then call CQ. Sending just QRL without your callsign is against the rules, but most do it anyway.
Calling CQ is typically in a 3 X 2 format CQ CQ CQ DE WZ7UUU WZ7UUU K. Long long CQ’s are likely to be ignored. Don’t use AR instead of K as it means ending the transmission, and not an invitation for an answer. KN is a turn over to the station you are already working in a QSO
Listen for a few seconds using RIT to check for off frequency responses. If you have a narrow CW filter in line, use RIT and tune up and down from your transmit frequency to determine if someone is responding.
Repeat your CQ or QSY to a clear frequency, as you may be on a Big Gun frequency that can’t hear you.
After the initial contact, it is typically DX11DX DE WX6DDD GM (GA, GE) OM TNX FER CALL UR RST ### (339, 599, 549, etc.) NAME HR IS ROD ROD. QTH IS SAN DIEGO, CA. SAN DIEGO, CA. HW? AR DX11DX DE WX6DDD K (OR) KN. See your list of abbreviations if you are not familiar with these.
DX11DX returns with essentially the same info, you may get “R” indicating that DX11DX copied all, or QSL on all is sometimes sent.
The next round is an invitation to rag chew. If DX11DX is too fast for you, send a QRS (send slower please). Longer QSO’s usually include your station configuration, the weather (WX), jobs, ages, etc. You may receive an invitation to operate QSK (break-in) where the QSO is much more conversational. Practice with a friend first as this takes some getting used to and proper equipment settings.
It is not necessary to do a (DX11DX DE WD6YYY) every time except every 10 minutes of course. When you turn it over – you can use BK or just KN or K.
A signoff looks like this:
DX11DX DE WF6TTT, FB
VLAD TNX NICE QSO HPE CUL VY 73 GM SK
DX11DX DE
WF6TTT Use SK or CL (Closing
Station) on your final transmission not AR or K (N)
Then there are some
cuties signoffs dit dit,
and a response of dit. Old Military types use dit dita dit dit (Shave and a
Haircut) with the response of dit dit (2 Bits)!
For contests, a common CQ is “test AC6V test”.
Tail-ending. Wait until another QSO is complete, and then call the station you want to contact.
Breaking into a QSO is not commonly done on CW and should be approached with caution. If it obvious that two old friends are in conversation, it is not advisable. If the exchanges include KN – it’s a signal that others are not welcome, best wait until the QSO is over and then tail-end. The standard break-in method on CW is to wait between transmissions and then send "BK" for break, or "BK de WT8III".
It is very common to
send RST reports in abbreviated form, for example 599, is sent as 5NN.
"N" in place of the number "9". Also another time saver is
for the zero using a long "T". "T" is sent in place of the
number zero as in " POWER HR IS 3TT WATTS". There is a number code for
all numbers; however, the N and T codes are the most common ones.
Also CW stations sometimes report their zones as "A4" or
"A5" instead of sending "14" or "15".
1 = A, 2 = U, 3 = V, 4 = 4,
5 = E, 6 = 6, 7 = B, 8 = D, 9 =
N, 0 = T
CW Bandwidth = wpm X 4 (e.g., 40 WPM = 160 Hz)
From the ARRL License Manual 1976:
"With proper shaping, the necessary keying bandwidth is equal to 4
times the speed in words per minute for International Morse Code;
e.g. at 25 words per minute, the bandwidth is approximately 100 cycles."
A Beginner's Guide to Making CW Contacts
-- by Jack Wagoner WB8FSV
IAMBIC
Keying -- Mode A and Mode B
Adjusting Straight Keys, Paddles, & Bugs
<AA> End Of Line
The following without the < > are other commonly used two letter procedural signals
-- some Hams run them together -- others do not.
BK Break
CL Going off the air (clear)
CQ Calling any amateur radio station (Many add a space between
the C and the Q)
DE This or From
KA Beginning of message
KN Go only, invite a specific station to transmit
VE Understood (VE)
Commonly used in
CW - single letter meanings
C
Correct yes
K Go, invite any station to transmit
N No Negative
R All received OK
CW ABBREVIATIONS Prosigns in < >
|
AA - All after <AA> End Of Line AB - All before ABT - About ADEE - Addressee ADR - Address ADS - Address AGN - Again AM - Amplitude Modulation ANI - Any ANS - Answer ANT - Antenna <AR> End of message <AS> Stand by; wait <AT> - used for the @ sign for E-Mail Addresses New proposal is AC run together |
BCI - Broadcast Interference
|
C - Yes, Correct |
|
DA - Day DE - From, This Is DIFF - Difference DLD - Delivered DLVD - Delivered DN - Down DR - Dear DSW - Russian CW abbreviation for goodbye. DWN - Down DX - Distance |
EL - Element |
FB - Fine Business, excellent FER - For FM - Frequency Modulation: From FONE - Phone FQ - Frequency Freq -- Frequency FWD -- Forward |
|
GA - Go ahead; Good Afternoon GB - Good bye, God Bless GD - Good, Good Day GE - Good Evening GESS - Guess GG - Going GLD -- Glad GM - Good morning GN - Good night GND - Ground GP -- Ground Plane GS - Green Stamp GUD - Good GV - Give GVG - Giving |
<HH> Error in sending HI - The telegraph laugh; High HPE - Hope HQ - Headquarters HR - Here; Hear, Hour HRD - Heard HRS - Hours HRD -- Heard HV - Have HVG - Having HVY - Heavy HW - How, How Copy? |
II -- I Repeat <II> Short form of <HH> <IMI> - Repeat, Say Again INFO - Info JA - Japanese Station K - Invitation To Transmit KA Beginning of message KLIX - KeyClicks KN Go only, invite a specific station to transmit |
|
LID - A poor operator LNG - Long LP - Long Path LSN - Listen LTR - Later; letter LV - Leave LVG - Leaving LW - Long Wire., Long Wave |
MA - Millamperes MGR - Manager MI - My MILL - Typewiter MILS - Millamperes MNI - Many MOM - Moment MSG - Message; Prefix to radiogram MULT - Multiplier |
N - No, Negative, Incorrect, No More N - Nine (as in Signal Report) NCS - Net Control Station ND - Nothing Doing NIL - Nothing; I have nothing for you; Not In Log NM - No more <NR> - Number, Near NW - Now; I resume transmission |
|
OB - Old boy OC - Old chap OK - Correct OM - Old man OP - Operator OPR - Operator OT - Old timer; Old top OW - Old Woman |
PBL - Preamble PKG - Package PSE - Please PT - Point PWR - Power PX - Press, Prefix |
R - Received as transmitted; Are; R - Decimal Point (with numbers) RC - Ragchew RCD - Received RCVR - Receiver RE - Concerning; Regarding REF - Refer to; Referring to; Reference RFI - Radio frequency interference RIG - Station equipment ROTFL - Rolling on the floor laughing RPT - Repeat, Report RTTY - Radio teletype RST - Readability, strength, tone RX - Receive, Receiver |
|
SA - Say SASE - Self-addressed, stamped envelope SED - Said SAE - Self-Addressed Envelope SEZ - Says SGD - Signed SHUD - Should SIG - Signature; Signal SINE - Operator's personal initials or nickname <SK> Out; clear (end of communications, no reply expected.) SK - Silent Key SKED - Schedule SN - Soon SP - Short Path SRI - Sorry SS - Sweepstakes SSB - Single Side Band STN - Station SUM - Some SVC - Service; Prefix to service message SWL - Short Wave Listener /ST short timer on check in |
T - Zero
(with numbers)
TEMP - Temperature TEST - Testing or Contest TFC - Traffic TIA - Thanks In Advance TMW - Tomorrow TKS - Thanks TNX - Thanks TR - Transmit T/R - Transmit/Receive TRBL - Trouble TRIX - Tricks TRX - Transceiver TT - That TTS - That is TU - Thank you TVI - Television interference TX - Transmitter; Transmit TXT - Text |
U - You UFB - Ultra Fine Business UNLIS - Unlicensed UR - Your; You're URL - Universal Resource Locator Address For a WebPage URS - Yours
|
|
VE Understood (VE)
VERT - Vertical VFB - Very fine business VFO - Variable Frequency Oscillator VY - Very |
W - Watts WA - Word after WATSA - What Say WB - Word before WD - Word WDS - Words WID - With WKD - Worked WKG - Working WL - Well; Will WPM - Words Per Minute WRD - Word WRK - Work WUD - Would WW - Would WX- Weather |
XCVR - Transceiver XMAS - Christmas XMTR - Transmitter XTAL - Crystal XYL - Wife |
|
YF -Wife YL - Young lady YR - Year Z - Zulu Time |
30 - I have no more to send 33 - Fondest Regards 55 - Best Success 73 - Best Regards (NOT 73'S) * 88 - Love and kisses (NOT 88'S) 161 - 73+88=161" first came about in FOC circles (First-Class CW Operators' Club, founded by Louis Varney G5RV a number of years ago). The essential meaning is "Best regards to you and your XYL". |
? question (like QRL?) |
The RST (Readability-Strength-Tone) System
The RST System of Signal Reporting has been used for years (circa 1934) as a shorthand method of reporting
Readability, Signal Strength and for CW, Tone (i.e., quality of the CW tone). For voice contacts only the R and S are used. The S component is usually not the same as your S-Meter reading as most S-Meters aren't calibrated to track the RST System. The RST is also reported on QSL Cards and must be filled in correctly -- e.g., a 569 report for a Voice Contact is invalid. Note that many DX operations and contest stations merely report 59(9) as a convenience to
avoid having to log each of the real reports. A questionable practice but a fact of DXing/Contesting
Infrequently used is the addition of a letter to the end of the 3 numbers.
These are: X = the signal is rock steady like a crystal controlled signal;
C = the signal is chirpy as the frequency varies slightly with keying;
and K = the signal has key clicks.
X is from the early days of radio when such steady signals were rare.
Today most all signals could be given an X but it is hardly ever used. It is helpful to report a chirpy or clicky signal by using the C or K, e.g. 579C or 579K.
It is very common to send RST reports in abbreviated
form, for example 599, is sent as 5NN. "N" in place of the number "9". Also
another time saver is for the zero using a long "T". "T" is sent in place of the number
zero as in "POWER HR IS 3TT WATTS". There is a number code for all numbers,
however, the N and T codes are the most common ones.
Also CW stations sometimes report their zones as "A4" or
"A5" instead of sending "14" or "15".
1 = A, 2 = U,
3 = V, 4 = 4, 5 = E, 6 = 6, 7 =
B, 8 = D, 9 = N, 0 = T
| READABILITY | |||
| R5 |
95%+
|
Perfectly readable | |
| R4 |
80%
|
Practically no difficulty, occasional missed characters | |
| R3 |
40%
|
Considerable difficulty, many missed characters | |
| R2 |
20%
|
Occasional words distinguishable | |
| R1 |
0%
|
Undecipherable | |
| STRENGTH | |||
| S9 | Very Strong trace | ||
| S7 | Strong trace | ||
| S5 | Moderate trace | ||
| S3 | Weak trace | ||
| S1 | Barely perceptible trace | ||
| QUALITY | |||
| Q9 | Clean signal - no visible unwanted sidebar pairs | ||
| Q7 | One barely visible pair | ||
| Q5 | One easily visible pair | ||
| Q3 | Multiple visible pairs | ||
| Q1 | Splatter over much of the spectrum | ||
Q-Signals For Amateur Radio Operators
| Q-Sig | Message |
|---|---|
| QRA | What is the name of your station? The name of my station is ___. |
| QRB | How far are you from my station? I am ____ km from you station |
| QRD | Where are you bound and where are you coming from? I am bound ___ from ___. |
| QRG | Will you tell me my exact frequency? Your exact frequency is ___ kHz. |
| QRH | Does my frequency vary? Your frequency varies. |
| QRI | How is the tone of my transmission? The tone of your transmission is ___ (1-Good, 2-Variable, 3-Bad.) |
| QRJ | Are you receiving me badly? I cannot receive you, your signal is too weak. |
| QRK | What is the intelligibility of my signals? The intelligibility of your signals is ___ (1-Bad, 2-Poor, 3-Fair, 4-Good, 5-Excellent.) |
| QRL | Are you busy? I am busy, please do not interfere |
| QRM | Is my transmission being interfered with? Your transmission is being interfered with ___ (1-Nil, 2-Slightly, 3-Moderately, 4-Severly, 5-Extremely.) |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static ___ (1-5 as under QRM.) |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? Increase power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? Decrease power. |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? Send faster (___ WPM.) |
| QRR | Are you ready for automatic operation? I am ready for automatic operation. Send at ___ WPM. |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? Send more slowly (___ WPM.) |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? Stop sending. |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? I am ready. |
| QRW | Shall I inform ___ that you are calling? Please inform ___ that I am calling. |
| QRX | When will you call me again? I will call you again at ___ hours. |
| QRY | What is my turn? Your turn is numbered ___. |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? You are being called by ___. |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals? The strength of your signals is ___ (1-Scarcely perceptible, 2-Weak, 3-Fairly Good, 4-Good, 5-Very Good.) |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading. |
| QSD | Is my keying defective? Your keying is defective. |
| QSG | Shall I send ___ messages at a time? Send ___ messages at a time. |
| QSJ | What is the charge to be collected per word to ___ including your international telegraph charge? The charge to be collected per word is ___ including my international telegraph charge. |
| QSK | Can you hear me between you signals and if so can I break in on your transmission? I can hear you between my signals, break in on my transmission. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? I am acknowledging receipt. |
| QSM | Shall I repeat the last message which I sent you? Repeat the last message. |
| QSN | Did you hear me on ___ kHz? I did hear you on ___ kHz. |
| QSO | Can you communicate with ___ direct or by relay? I can communicate with ___ direct (or by relay through ___.) |
| QSP | Will you relay to ___? I will relay to ___. |
| QSQ | Have you a doctor on board? (or is ___ on board?) I have a doctor on board (or ___ is on board.) |
| QSU | Shall I send or reply on this frequency? Send a series of Vs on this frequency. |
| QSV | Shall I send a series of Vs on this frequency? Send a series of Vs on this frequency. |
| QSW | Will you send on this frequency? I am going to send on this frequency. |
| QSY | Shall I change to another frequency? Change to another frequency. |
| QSZ | Shall I send each word or group more than once? Send each word or group twice (or ___ times.) |
| QTA | Shall I cancel message number ___? Cancel message number ___. |
| QTB | Do you agree with my counting of words? I do not agree with your counting of words. I will repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group. |
| QTC | How many messages have you to send? I have ___ messages for you. |
| QTE | What is my true bearing from you? Your true bearing from me is ___ degrees. |
| QTG | Will you send two dashes of 10 seconds each followed by your call sign? I am going to send two dashes of 10 seconds each followed by my call sign. |
| QTH | What is your location? My location is ___. |
| QTI | What is your true track? My true track is ___ degrees. |
| QTJ | What is your speed? My speed is ___ km/h. |
| QTL | What is your true heading? My true heading is ___ degrees. |
| QTN | At what time did you depart from ___? I departed from ___ at ___ hours. |
| QTO | Have you left dock (or port)? I have left dock (or port). |
| QTP | Are you going to enter dock (or port)? I am going to enter dock (or port.) |
| QTQ | Can you communicate with my station by means of the International Code of Signals? I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International Code of Signals. |
| QTR | What is the correct time? The time is ___. |
| QTS | Will you send your call sign for ___ minutes so that your frequency can be measured? I will send my call sign for ___ minutes so that my frequency may be measured. |
| QTU | What are the hours during which your station is open? My station is open from ___ hours to ___ hours. |
| QTV | Shall I stand guard for you on the frequency of ___ kHz? Stand guard for me on the frequency of ___ kHz. |
| QTX | Will you keep your station open for further communication with me? I will keep my station open for further communication with you. |
| QUA | Have you news of ___? I have news of ___. |
| QUB | Can you give me information concerning visibility, height of clouds, direction and velocity of ground wind at ___? Here is the information you requested... |
| QUC | What is the number of the last message you received from me? The number of the last message I received from you is ___. |
| QUD | Have you received the urgency signal sent by ___? I have received the urgency signal sent by ___. |
| QUF | Have you received the distress signal sent by ___? I have received the distress signal sent by ___. |
| QUG | Will you be forced to land? I am forced to land immediately. |
| QUH | Will you give me the present barometric pressure? The present barometric pressure is ___ (units). |
Note that Q signals can take the form of a question when followed by a question mark.
Mega Q-Signals A Listing of All Known Q-Signals. Many Apply To Maritime and Aviation Use -- Not for General Ham Use.
CAN'T FIND IT? SEARCH THE WEB OR THE AC6V WEBSITE
AC6V BRAG TAPE
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