Q - CODES

The "official" codes were assigned meanings by the

International Telecommunications Union in 1959. The abridged
definitions of the "official" codes are derived from a very detailed
list compiled by using information extracted from Allied
Communications Publication 131(B), Amendment 1.

Also included, are the "unofficial" meanings assigned by the

American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to QST and to codes in the
QNA to QNZ series, which are defined in the ARRL Handbook for
Radio Amateurs and should only be used in amateur CW nets.
These net codes should not be used in casual amateur CW
conversations or in phone nets. When used by the Amateur
Service, meanings assigned to codes in the QNA to QNZ series by
other Services do not apply. Most, but not all, of the codes can be
used either as a statement or a question, depending on the
context of their use.

These Q-Codes were intended for CW use, where the question

form would be denoted by following the code with a question
mark (..--..). When using the ARRL definitions of codes in the
QNA to QNZ series, no question mark is necessary, even though
the meaning may be interrogatory. Radio amateurs, and some
professional operators, also use these codes on telephony, where
the context is more obvious. Also, in amateur radio use, Q-Codes
are often used as an abbreviation for a longer phrase. For
example, QTH is used to indicate the location of the station as in
"My QTH is Storrington", whereas QTH actually means "What is
your position in latitude and longitude (or according to some
other recognised location system)" or "My position is .......".

List of Q - Codes

QAA - QAZ
Top

QAA Unassigned
QAB May I have clearance from ... to ... at ...(height) above ...
(datum).
QAC Unassigned
QAD Unassigned
QAE Unassigned
QAF Will you advise me when you are/were at/over ...(place)
QAG Arrange your flight in order to arrive over ...(place) at ...
(time)
QAH What is you height above ...(datum)
QAI What is the essential aircraft (not communications) traffic
QAJ Unassigned
QAK Is there any risk of collision
QAL Are you going to land at ...(place) or Has aircraft landed at
...(place)
QAM What is the latest available meteorological observation for
...(place)
QAN What is the surface wind direction and speed at ...(place)
QAO What is the wind direction, in degrees TRUE, and the
speed at ...(place)
QAP Shall I listen for you on ... kHz/MHz
QAQ Am I near a prohibited area
QAR May I stop listening on the watch frequency for ... minutes
QAS Unassigned
QAT Unassigned
QAU I am about to jettison fuel
QAV Are you able to home on your DF equipment
QAW I am about to carry out overshoot procedure
QAX Unassigned
QAY Will you advise me when you pass ...(place) bearing 090
degrees
QAZ Are you experiencing communication difficulties due to a
storm

QBA - QBZ
Top

QBA What is the horizontal visibility at ...(place)

QBB What is the amount, type and height of the cloud base
at ...(place)
QBC Report meteorological conditions at...(position) at ...(time)
QBD How much fuel have you remaining
QBE I am about to wind in my aerial
QBF Are you flying in cloud
QBG Are you flying above cloud
QBH Are you flying below cloud
QBI Is flight under IFR compulsory at ...(place)
QBJ What is the amount, type and height of the cloud top at ...
(place)
QBK Are you flying with no cloud in your vicinity
QBL Unassigned
QBM Has ...(callsign) sent any message for me
QBN Are you flying between two layers of cloud
QBO What is the nearest aerodrome where flight under VFR is
permissible
QBP Are you flying in and out of cloud
QBQ Unassigned
QBR Unassigned
QBS Ascend or descend to ...(figures and units) height
above ...(datum)
QBT How far along the runway can the observer see the
runway lights
QBU Unassigned
QBV Have you reached the ...(figures and units) height
above ...(datum)
QBW Unassigned
QBX Have you left the ...(figures and units) height above ...
(datum)
QBY Unassigned
QBZ Report your flying conditions in relation to clouds

QCA - QCZ
Top

QCA May I change from ... to ...(figures and units) height

above ...(datum)
QCB Delay is being caused by ...(reason)
QCC Unassigned
QCD Unassigned
QCE When may I expect approach clearance
QCF Delay indefinite. Expect approach clearance not later than
... hours
QCG Unassigned
QCH May I taxi to ...(place)
QCI Make a 360 degree turn immediately, turning to the ...
(right/left)
QCJ Unassigned
QCK Unassigned
QCL Unassigned
QCM Unassigned
QCN Unassigned
QCO Unassigned
QCP Unassigned
QCQ Unassigned
QCR Unassigned
QCS My reception on ... frequency has broken down
QCT Unassigned
QCU Unassigned
QCV Unassigned
QCW Unassigned
QCX What is your full callsign
QCY I am working on trailing aerial
QCZ Unassigned

QDA - QDZ
Top

QDA Unassigned
QDB Have you sent message ... to ...(callsign)
QDC Unassigned
QDD Unassigned
QDE Unassigned
QDF What is your D-value at ...(position)
QDG Unassigned
QDH Unassigned
QDI Unassigned
QDJ Unassigned
QDK Unassigned
QDL Do you intend to ask me for a series of bearings
QDM Indicate the MAGNETIC heading for me to steer towards
you, with no wind
QDN Unassigned
QDO Unassigned
QDP Will you accept control or responsibility of ... now, or at ...
hours
QDQ Unassigned
QDR What is my MAGNETIC bearing from you, or from ...
(callsign)
QDS Unassigned
QDT Are you flying in visual meteorological conditions (VMC)
QDU Cancel my IFR flight plan
QDV Are you flying in a horizontal visibility of less than ...
(figures and units)
QDW Unassigned
QDX Unassigned
QDY Unassigned
QDZ Unassigned

QEA - QEZ
Top

QEA May I cross the runway ahead of me

QEB May I turn at the intersection
QEC May I make a 180 degree turn and return down the
runway
QED Shall I follow the pilot vehicle
QEE Unassigned
QEF Have I/you reached my/your parking area
QEG May I leave the parking area
QEH May I move to the holding position for runway number ...
QEI Unassigned
QEJ May I assume position for take-off
QEK Are you ready for immediate take-off
QEL May I take-off and make a ...(left/right) hand turn after
take-off
QEM What is the condition of the landing surface at ...(place)
QEN Shall I hold my position
QEO Shall I clear the runway or landing area
QEP Unassigned
QEQ Unassigned
QER Unassigned
QES Is a right hand circuit in force at ...(place)
QET Unassigned
QEU Unassigned
QEV Unassigned
QEW Unassigned
QEX Unassigned
QEY Unassigned
QEZ Unassigned

QFA - QFZ
Top

QFA What is the meteorological forcast for ...(flight, route etc.)

QFB The approach/runway/approach and runway lights are out
of order
QFC What is the amount, type and height of the cloud base
above ...(datum)
QFD Is the ... visual beacon at ...(place) in operation
QFE What is the atmospheric pressure, at aerodrome elevation,
at ...(place)
QFF What is the atmospheric pressure, converted to mean sea
level, at ...(place)
QFG Am I overhead
QFH May I descend below the clouds
QFI Are the aerodrome lights lit or Please light the aerodrome
lights
QFJ Unassigned
QFK Unassigned
QFL Will you send up pyrotechnical lights
QFM What height above ...(datum) should I maintain/are you
maintaining
QFN Unassigned
QFO May I land immediately
QFP Will you give me the latest information concerning ... at ...
(place)
QFQ Are the approach and runway lights lit
QFR Does my landing gear appear damaged
QFS Is the radio facility at ...(place) in operation
QFT Between what heights above ...(datum) has ice formation
been observed
QFU What is the MAGNETIC direction or number of the runway
to be used
QFV Are the floodlights switched on or Please switch on the
floodlights
QFW What is the length of the runway in ...(figures and units)
QFX I am working on a fixed aerial or Work on a fixed aerial
QFY Please report the present meteorological landing conditions
at ...(place)
QFZ What is the aerodrome meteorological forecast for ...
(place)

QGA - QGZ
Top

QGA Unassigned
QGB Unassigned
QGC There are obstructions to the ...(left/right) of the runway
QGD Are there any obstructions on my track that equal or
exceed my altitude
QGE What is my distance to your station or to ...(place)
QGF Unassigned
QGG Unassigned
QGH May I land using ...(procedure/facility)
QGI Unassigned
QGJ Unassigned
QGK What track should I make good or What track are you
making good
QGL May I enter the ...(control area/zone) at ...(place)
QGM Leave the ...(control area/zone)
QGN May I be cleared to land at ...(place)
QGO Landing is prohibited at ...(place)
QGP What is my number for landing
QGQ May I hold at ...(place)
QGR Unassigned
QGS Unassigned
QGT Fly for ... minutes on a heading that maintains a reciprocle
track
QGU Fly for ... minutes on a MAGNETIC heading of ... degrees
QGV Do you see me or Can you see the aerodrome or Can you
see ...(aircraft)
QGW Does my landing gear appear to be down and in place
QGX Unassigned
QGY Unassigned
QGZ Hold on ... direction of ... facility

QHA - QHZ
Top

QHA Unassigned
QHB Unassigned
QHC Unassigned
QHD Unassigned
QHE Will you inform me when you are on ... leg of approach
QHF Unassigned
QHG May I enter traffic circuit at ...(figures and units) above ...
(datum)
QHH Are you making an emergency landing
QHI Are you (or is ...) ...(waterbourne/on land)
QHJ Unassigned
QHK Unassigned
QHL Unassigned
QHM Unassigned
QHN Unassigned
QHO Unassigned
QHP Unassigned
QHQ May I make a ... approach at ...(place) or Are you making
a ... approach
QHR Unassigned
QHS Unassigned
QHT Unassigned
QHU Unassigned
QHV Unassigned
QHW Unassigned
QHX Unassigned
QHY Unassigned
QHZ Shall I circle the aerodrome (or go around)

QIA - QIZ
Top

QIA Unassigned
QIB Unassigned
QIC May I establish communication with ...(callsign) on ...
kHZ/MHz
QID Unassigned
QIE Unassigned
QIF What frequency is ...(callsign) using
QIG Unassigned
QIH Unassigned
QII Unassigned
QIJ Unassigned
QIK Unassigned
QIL Unassigned
QIM Unassigned
QIN Unassigned
QIO Unassigned
QIP Unassigned
QIQ Unassigned
QIR Unassigned
QIS Unassigned
QIT Unassigned
QIU Unassigned
QIV Unassigned
QIW Unassigned
QIX Unassigned
QIY Unassigned
QIZ Unassigned

QJA - QJZ
Top

QJA Is my ...(tape/mark and space) reversed

QJB Will you use ...
(radio/cable/telegraph/teletypwriter/telphone/receiver/
transmitter/reperforator)
QJC Will you check your ...(transmitter-distributor/auto-
head/perforator/
printer/printer motor/keyboard/antenna system)
QJD Am I transmitting in ...(letters/figures)
QJE Is my frequency shift ...(too wide/too narrow/correct)
QJF My signal as checked by monitor ...(locally/as radiated) is
satisfactory
QJG Shall I revert to automatic relay
QJH Shall I run ...(my test tape/a test sentence)
QJI Will you transmit a continuous ...(mark/space)
QJJ Unassigned
QJK Are you receiving a ...(continuous mark/continuous space/
mark bias/space bias)
QJL Unassigned
QJM Unassigned
QJN Unassigned
QJO Unassigned
QJP Unassigned
QJQ Unassigned
QJR Unassigned
QJS Unassigned
QJT Unassigned
QJU Unassigned
QJV Unassigned
QJW Unassigned
QJX Unassigned
QJY Unassigned
QJZ Unassigned

QKA - QKZ
Top

QKA I have effected rescue and am proceeding to ...(base)

QKB Unassigned
QKC The sea conditions at ...(place) permit ...(alighting but not
take-off/
extremely hazardous alighting)
QKD Unassigned
QKE Unassigned
QKF May I be relieved at ... hours
QKG Will relief take place when ...(ident) establishes ...(visual/
 communications) contact with survivors
QKH Report details of the parallel sweep to be conducted
QKI Unassigned
QKJ Unassigned
QKK Unassigned
QKL Unassigned
QKM Has the location of the survival craft been marked
QKN Aircraft plotted (believed to be you) in position ... at ...
hours
QKO What other units are taking part in the operation
QKP What pattern of search is being followed
QKQ Unassigned
QKR Unassigned
QKS Unassigned
QKT Unassigned
QKU Unassigned
QKV Unassigned
QKW What has the rescue vessel or rescue aircraft recovered
QKX Unassigned
QKY Are you in the search area designated as ...(lat/long or
designator)
QKZ What is the estimated drift of the survival craft

QLA - QLZ
Top

QLA Unassigned
QLB Will you monitor ...(callsign) and report range, quality, etc.
QLC Unassigned
QLD Unassigned
QLE Unassigned
QLF Unassigned
QLG Unassigned
QLH Will you use simultaneous keying on ... frequency and ...
frequency
QLI Unassigned
QLJ Unassigned
QLK Unassigned
QLL Unassigned
QLM Unassigned
QLN Unassigned
QLO Unassigned
QLP Unassigned
QLQ Unassigned
QLR Unassigned
QLS Unassigned
QLT Unassigned
QLU Unassigned
QLV Is the ... radio facility still required
QLW Unassigned
QLX Unassigned
QLY Unassigned
QLZ Unassigned

QMA - QMZ
Top

QMA Unassigned
QMB Unassigned
QMC Unassigned
QMD Unassigned
QME Unassigned
QMF Unassigned
QMG Unassigned
QMH Shift to transmit and receive on ... kHz/MHz
QMI Report the vertical distribution of cloud at ...(position)
QMJ Unassigned
QMK Unassigned
QML Unassigned
QMM Unassigned
QMN Unassigned
QMO Unassigned
QMP Unassigned
QMQ Unassigned
QMR Unassigned
QMS Unassigned
QMT Unassigned
QMU What is the surface temperature and dew point at ...
(position)
QMV Unassigned
QMW At what heights above ...(datum) are the zero celsius
isotherms
QMX What is the air temperature at ...(position) at ...(units and
figures)
height above ...(datum)
QMY Unassigned
QMZ Have you any amendments to the flight forecast in respect
of sections
 of the route yet to be traversed

QNA - QNZ
Top

QNA Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW

nets, as meaning
"Answer in prearranged order". (This code should only be
used by the Net
Control Station).
QNB Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Act as relay station between ..... and .....". (This code
should only
be used by the Net Control Station).
QNC Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"All net stations copy. I have a message for all net
stations".
QND Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Net is directed (controlled by net control station)". (This
code should
only be used by the Net Control Station).
QNE What indication will my altimeter give on landing at ...
(place).
Also adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW nets, as
meaning
"Entire net stand by". (This code should only be used by the
Net Control
Station).
QNF Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Net is free (not controlled)".
QNG Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Take over as net contol station".
QNH What should I set on the sub-scale of my altimeter so that
the
instrument would indicate my elevation if I were on the
ground at
your station.
Also adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW nets, as
meaning
 "Your net frequency is high".
QNI Between what heights above ...(datum) has turbulence
been observed at
...(position).
Also adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW nets, as
meaning
"Net stations report in" OR "I am reporting into the net".
(Follow with a
list of traffic or QRU).
QNJ Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Can you copy me".
QNK Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Transmit messages for ..... to .....". (This code should only
be used by
the Net Control Station).
QNL Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Your net frequency is low".
QNM Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"You are QRMing the net. Stand by". (This code should only
be used by
the Net Control Station).
QNN Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Net control station is ....." OR "What station has net
control".
QNO I am not equipped to give the information/provide the
facility requested
Also adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW nets, as
meaning
"Station is leaving the net".
QNP Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Unable to copy you" OR "Unable to copy .....".
QNQ Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Move frequency to ..... and wait for ..... to finish handling
traffic.
Then send him traffic for .....".
QNR I am approaching my point of no return.
 Also adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW nets, as
meaning
"Answer ..... and receive traffic". (This code should only be
used by the
Net Control Station).
QNS Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Following stations are in the net" (Follow with list), when
used by Net
Control Station OR "Request list of stations in the net", when
used by
other net members.
QNT What is the maximum gust speed of the wind at ...(place).
Also adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW nets, as
meaning
"I request permission to leave the net for ..... minutes".
QNU Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"The net has traffic for you. Stand by". This code should
only be used
by the Net Control Station.
QNV Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Establish contact with ..... on the frequency. If successful,
move
to ..... and send him traffic for .....". (This code should only
be used
by the Net Control Station).
QNW Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"How do I route messages for .....".
QNX Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"You are excused from the net", when used by Net Control
Station OR
"Request to be excused from the net", when used by other
net members.
QNY What is the present weather, and intensity thereof, at ...
(place).
Also adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW nets, as
meaning
"Shift to another frequency, or to .....kHz, to clear traffic
with .....".
(This code should only be used by the Net Control Station).
QNZ Unassigned, but adopted by the ARRL, for use only in CW
nets, as meaning
"Zero beat your signal with mine".

QOA - QOZ | QPA - QPZ | QQA - QQZ

Top

QOA to QOZ The series QOA to QQZ, inclusive, have been

reserved for
QPA to QPZ the Maritime Services but no meanings have been
assigned
QQA to QQZ to date.

QRA - QRZ
Top

QRA What is the name of your station

QRB How far, approximately, are you from my station
QRC What authority/administration settles the accounts of your
station
QRD Where are you bound and where are you from
QRE What is your estimated time of arrival at ...(place)
QRF Are you returning to ...(place)
QRG Will you tell me my exact frequency or that of ...(callsign)
QRH Does my frequency vary
QRI How is the tone of my transmission
QRJ How many radio telephone calls have you to book.
(See note at the end of this list for a possible alternative
meaning).
QRK What is the intelligibility of my signals or those of ...
(callsign)
QRL Are you busy
QRM Are you being interferred with
QRN Are you troubled by static
QRO Shall I increase transmitter power
QRP Shall I decrease transmitter power
QRQ Shall I send faster
QRR Are you ready for automatic operation
QRS Shall I send more slowly
QRT Shall I stop sending
QRU Have you anything for me
QRV Are you ready
QRW Shall I inform ...(callsign) that you are calling him on ...
kHz/MHz
QRX When will you call me again on ... kHz/MHz. Must I wait
QRY What is my turn
QRZ Who is calling me

QSA - QSZ
Top

QSA What is the strength of my signals or those of ...(callsign)

QSB Are my signals fading
QSC Are you a cargo vessel
QSD Is my keying defective
QSE What is the estimated drift of the survival craft
QSF Have you effected rescue
QSG Shall I send ...(number) telegrams at a time
QSH Are you able to home on your D/F equipment
QSI Will you inform ...(callsign) that I have been unable to
break in
QSJ What is the charge to be collected to ...(callsign), including
your charge
QSK Can you hear me between your signals and, if so, can I
break in
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt
QSM Shall I repeat the last telegram which I sent to you
QSN Did you hear me or ...(callsign) on ... kHz/MHz
QSO Can you communicate with ...(callsign) direct or by relay
QSP Will you relay to ...(callsign), free of charge
QSQ Have you a doctor on board or Is ...(named person) on
board
QSR Shall I repeat the call on the calling frequency
QSS What working frequency will you use
QST General call to all stations
QSU Shall I send or reply on this frequency or on ... kHz/MHz
QSV Shall I send a series of V's on this frequency or on ...
kHz/MHz
QSW Will you send on this frequency or on ... kHz/MHz
QSX Will you listen to ...(callsign) on ... kHz/MHz
QSY Shall I change to transmission on another frequency
QSZ Shall I send each word or group more than once

QTA - QTZ
Top

QTA Shall I cancel telegram number ...

QTB Do you agree with my counting of words
QTC How many telegrams have you to send
QTD What has the rescue vessel or rescue aircraft recovered
QTE What is my TRUE bearing from you or from ...(callsign)
QTF Will you give me the position of my station according to
the bearings
taken by the D/F stations which you control
QTG Will you send two dashes of ten seconds each followed by
your callsign
repeated ... times on ... kHz/MHz
QTH What is your position in latitude and longitude (or
according to any
other indication)
QTI What is your TRUE track
QTJ What is your speed
QTK What is the speed of your aircraft in relation to the earth's
surface
QTL What is you TRUE heading
QTM What is your MAGNETIC heading
QTN At what time did you depart from ...(place)
QTO Are you airborne or Have you left dock/port
QTP Are you going to alight/land or Are you going to enter
dock/port
QTQ Can you communicate with my station by means of the
international code
of signals
QTR What is the correct time
QTS Will you send your callsign for tuning purposes or
frequency measurement
QTT The identification signal which follows is superimposed on
another
transmission
QTU What are the hours during which your station is open
QTV Shall I stand guard for you on the frequency of ...kHz/MHz
QTW What is the condition of survivors
QTX Will you keep your station open for further communication
with me
QTY Are you proceeding to the position of the incident and, if
so, when do
you expect to arrive
QTZ Are you continuing the search

QUA - QUZ
Top
QUA Have you news of ...(callsign)
QUB Can you give me, in the following order, information
concerning:-
the direction in degrees TRUE and the speed of the surface
wind,
present weather, visibility and amount, type and height of
cloud
base above the surface elevation at ...(place)
QUC What is the number or other identification of the last
message
you received from me or from ...(callsign)
QUD Have you received the urgency signal sent by ...(callsign)
QUE Can you use telephony in ...(language), with interpreter if
necessary,
if so, on what frequencies
QUF Have you received the distress signal sent by ...(callsign)
QUG Will you be forced to alight or land
QUH Will you give me the present barometric pressure at sea
level
QUI Are your navigation lights working
QUJ Will you indicate the TRUE track to reach you
QUK Can you tell me the condition of the sea observed at ...
(place)
QUL Can you tell me the swell observed at ...(place)
QUM May I resume normal working or Has the distress traffic
ended
QUN Will vessels in my immediate vicinity please indicate their
position,
TRUE course and speed
QUO Shall I search for ...(aircraft/ship/survival craft) in the
vicinity
of...(position)
QUP Will you indicate your position by ...(searchlight/black
smoke trail/
pyrotechnic lights)
QUQ Shall I train my searchlight nearly vertical on a cloud,
occulting if
possible and, if your aircraft is seen or heard, deflect the
beam up
wind and on the water or land to facilitate your landing
QUR Have survivors ...(received survival equipment/been
picked up by a
rescue vessel/been reached by ground rescue party)
QUS Have you sighted survivors or wreckage. If so in what
position
QUT Is position of incident marked
QUU Shall I home ship or aircraft to my position
QUV What is my MAGNETIC bearing from you or from ...
(callsign)
QUW Are you in the search area designated as ...(lat/long or
designator)
QUX Will you indicate the MAGNETIC course for me to steer
towards you
or ...(callsign) with no wind
QUY Is position of survival craft marked
QUZ Unassigned