HAM Radio Acronyms
"Q" Codes
| CODE | Question | ANSWER |
|---|---|---|
| QRA | What is the name (or call sign) of your station? | The name (or call sign) of my station is ... |
| QRB | How far are you from my station? | The distance between our stations is ... nautical miles (or km). |
| QRG | Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ...)? | Your exact frequency (or that of ... ) is ... kHz (or MHz). |
| 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) |
| QRK | What is the readability of my signals (or those of ...)? | The readability of your signals (or those of ...) is ... (1: bad .. 5: excellent). |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy. (or I am busy with ... ) Please do not interfere. |
| QRM | Do you have interference? | I have interference. |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static noise? | I am troubled by static noise. |
| QRO | Shall I increase transmit power? | Please increase transmit power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease transmit power? | Please decrease transmit power. |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Please send faster (... words per minute). |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Please send more slowly (... words per minute). |
| QRT | Shall I cease or suspend operation? | I am suspending operation. |
| QRU | Have you anything for me? | I have nothing for you. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRX | Shall I standby? / When will you call me again? | Please standby. / I will call you again at ... (hours) on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by ... (on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSA | What is the strength of my signals (or those of ... )? | The strength of your signals (or those of ...) is ... (1: very weak .. 5: very strong). |
| QSB | Are my signals fading? | Your signals are fading. |
| QSD | Is my keying defective? | Your keying is defective. |
| QSK | Can you hear me between your signals (while transmitting), and if so can I break in on your transmission? | I can hear you between my signals (while transmitting); break in on my transmission. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I am acknowledging receipt. |
| QSM | Shall I repeat the last telegram (message) which I sent you, or some previous telegram (message)? | Repeat the last telegram (message) which you sent me (or telegram(s) (message(s)) numbers(s) ...). |
| QSN | Did you hear me (or ...) on ... kHz (or MHz)? | I did hear you (or ...) on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QSO | Can you communicate with ... direct or by relay? | I can communicate with ... direct (or by relay through ...). |
| QSP | Will you relay a message to ...? | I will relay a message to ... . |
| QSS | What working frequency will you use? | I will use ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QSU | Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? | Please send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSV | Shall I send a series of "V" on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? | Please send a series of "V" on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSX | Will you listen to ... on ... kHz (or MHz)? | I am listening to ... on ... kHz (or MHz). |
| QSY | Shall I change transmission frequency (to ... kHz (or MHz))? | Please change transmission frequency (to ... kHz (or MHz)). |
| QSZ | Shall I send each word or group more than once? | Send each word or group twice (or ... times). |
| QTC | How many telegrams (messages) have you to send? | I have ... telegrams (messages) for you (or for ...). |
| QTH | What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)? | My position is ... latitude, ... longitude. |
| QTR | What is the correct time? | The correct time is ... hours. |
HAM Radio Acronyms
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF | Radio Frequency |
| Hz | Hertz - unit defined by cycles per second |
| kHz | Kilohertz |
| MHz | Megahertz |
| SW | Shortwave |
| HF | High Frequency |
| VHF | Very High Frequency |
| UHF | Ultra High Frequency |
| SWL | Shortwave Listener |
| Op | Operator |
| HAM | That would be YOU…LOL |
| VFO | Variable Frequency Oscillator - Adjust frequency to tune your radio |
| MR | Memory Record - Local memory on your radio for you to program and recalkl for working repeaters and simplex frequencies |
| TXP | Transmit Power - Output setting for your radio |
| VOX | Voice Operated Switch - Voice Activated keying so you can be hands free |
| SQL | Squelch - Controls and turns off output until incoming transmission overrides the setting parameters |
| TDR | Dual Watch - Allows your radio to listen to two channels. |
| CTCS / CTCSS | Continuous Tone Coded Squelch - Used on repeaters and your radio to control receive and transmit squelch |
| DCS | Digital Coded Squelch - Allows radio to tune out signals that are not using a tone |
| PTT | Push to talk - the button you depress to speak on the radio |
| BCL | Bust Channel Lockout - When enabled, prevents radio from tranmitting when another signal is present |
| F/MW | Function.Memory Write - Multi-function button for menus and writing to mem channels on Yaesu radios |
| BCN-TX | Beacon Transmit - If using APRS, this transmits your APRS beacon |
| AGC | Automatic Gain Control - keeps audio levels constant |
| ATT | Attenuator - Knocks down large signals to prevent receiver overload |
| CAT | Computer Assisted Transceiver - Provides computer control of your station to make it easier to use digital operation |
| NB | Noise Blanker |
| NF | Notch Filter |
| MUF | Maximum Useable Frequency - Highest frequency between two points where communication is possible |
| LUF | Lowest Useable Frequency - The lowest frequency between two points where communication is possible |
| SFI | Solar Flux Index - Amount of solar spots on Earth facing the sun |
| A Index | the daily average level for geomagnetic activity |
| K Index | a 3 hour interval of geomagnetic fluctuations |
| D Layer | The lowest of the ionospheric layers. 25-55 miles up called the "daylight layer" |
| E Layer | The next ionospheric layer which is about 55-90 miles up also referred to as a Daylight layer |
| F1 Layer | Second to the highest ionisperic layer is about 90-150 miles above the Earth |
| F2 Layer | The highest layer that is over 250miles above the earth |
| CW | Continuous Wave - This mode is used to transmit morse code |
| AM | Amplitude Modulation - Voice Mode |
| SSB | Single Side band |
| USB | Upper Side band |
| LSB | Lower Side band |
| FM | Frequency Modulation |
| D-Star | Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio (ICOM Radios) |
| DMR | Digital Mobile Radio |
| APRS | Automatic Packet Reporting System - Offers real time digital communications of information in local area |
| Coax | Coaxial Cable used to connect antennas to radios, etc |
| SO239 | connector for UHF Radios SO indicating Socket |
| PL259 | connector for UHF Radios PL indicating Plug |
| BNC | Bayonet Neill-Concelman - twist lock antenna connector reliable up to 2GHz |
| SMA | Subminiature Version A - A threaded connector on HT radios and antennas good for 0Hz - 40GHz |
| Type N | Another connector type gott for frequencies up to 10GHz |
| SWR | Standing Wave Ratio - a measurement of the difference of impedance of your antenna connector and antenna feedline connection |
| Balun | Balanced/Unbalanced - allows interfacing antennas to coax to reduce feedline interference to your radiation pattern for the antenna |
| Unun | Unbalanaced/Unbalanced - allows interfacing antennas to coax to reduce feedline interference to your radiation pattern for the antenna |
| RST | Readability, Signal Strength, Tone |
| RTTY | Radio Teletype |
| ARRL | Amateur Radio Relay League |
| ARES | Amateur Radio Emergency Service |
| RACES | Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service |
| SOTA | Summits on the Air - Make four contacts from an approved summit |
| POTA | Parks on the air - Make 10 contacts from an approved park |