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The Q code is a standardised 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.
The codes in the range QAA-QNZ are reserved for aeronautical use; QOA
QOZ for maritime use, and QRA-QUZ for all services.
Q Codes Commonly Used by Radio Amateurs
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CQ
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General call
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QRG
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Exact frequency
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QRI
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Tone (T in the RST code)
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QRK
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Intelligibility (R in the RST code)
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QRL
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This frequency is busy.
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QRM
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Man-made interference
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QRN
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Natural interference, e.g. static crashes
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QRO
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Increase power
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QRP
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decrease power
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QRQ
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increase speed
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QRR
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temporarily unavailable/away, please wait
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QRRR
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Distress
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QRS
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Send slower
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QRT
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Stop sending
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QRU
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Have you anything for me?
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QRV
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I am ready
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QRX
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will call you again
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QRZ
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You are being called by ________.
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QSA
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Signal strength
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QSB
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Fading of signal
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QSD
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Your keying is defective
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QSK
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Break-in
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QSL
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I Acknowledge receipt
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QSM
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Repeat last message
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QSO
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A conversation
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QSP
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Relay
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QST
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General call to all stations
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QSX
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I am listening on ... frequency
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QSY
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Shift to transmit on ...
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QTA
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Disregard last message
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QTC
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Traffic
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QTH
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Location
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QTR
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Exact time
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QTW
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weather report
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