// AMATEUR RADIO · CW
Q codes and radio abbreviations.
The Q system is an international standard of three-letter shortcuts (starting with Q) used in telegraphy since 1909. It survives in amateur CW where it saves time and bandwidth.
Curated set of Q codes and abbreviations common in amateur QSO. Every entry links to a dedicated page: Morse code, long meaning, usage example.
CQ−·−· −−·−
Calling all stationsDE−·· ·
fromQRZ−−·− ·−· −−··
Who is calling me?QTH−−·− − ····
LocationQSL−−·− ··· ·−··
AcknowledgedQRM−−·− ·−· −−
InterferenceQRN−−·− ·−· −·
Atmospheric noiseOM−−− −−
Old man (operator)YL−·−− ·−··
Young ladyRST·−· ··· −
Signal report73−−··· ···−−
Best regards88−−−·· −−−··
Love and kissesWhy the Q code?
Before voice, the telegraph operator sent text letter by letter — tedious. The Q code, created in 1909 by the International Radiotelegraph Conference, condenses an entire question or answer into three letters. Today it's a second language among CW hams: "QTH" instead of "location", "73" instead of "best regards".