F4IOZOlivier · radio amateur · JN18FS

Q codes and abbreviations QRV?

QRZ, QSL, 73, FB… A code: what does it mean? Or the other way round. String right answers together: the multiplier climbs. All games

QRV for the pile-up?

Choose the direction, the level and the mode beside, then go. Keys 1 to 6 to answer, Enter for what comes next.

Badges

QRVA first right answer.
Full QSKA right answer in under 1.5 seconds.
Combo ×4Reach the ×4 multiplier.
No QRMFifteen right answers out of fifteen.
QRQ20 right answers in a timed game.
Never QRT25 right answers in a three-lives game.
On the key20 right typed answers.
Exact forms12 right answers or more in an Expert game.
Full code bookFind every code of the game at least once.
All-rounderFinish a game of each game.

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Q codes

Q codes come from telegraphy (the London Radiotelegraph Conference, 1912) and are listed in the ITU Radio Regulations: three letters, all starting with Q, that stand for a whole sentence, in every language.

QRS? — followed by a question mark, it is a question: “Shall I send more slowly?”
QRS — alone, it is the answer or the advice: “Send more slowly.”
QSO, QTH, QSL — amateur usage has turned them into nouns: a QSO is a contact, the QTH the station's location, the QSL the card that confirms the contact.

Abbreviations

In CW, every letter counts: 73 (best regards), TNX (thanks), FB (excellent), ES (and), UR (your)… Procedure signs close the exchanges: K (over), KN (over to you only), AR (end of message), SK (end of contact).

Good to know 73 says it all on its own: “73s” or “best 73” make the old-timers smile. And 88 is kept for close ones.

The game's glossary

QRA Name of the station
QRB Distance between the stations
QRG Exact frequency
QRK Readability of the signals
QRL Frequency in use
QRM Interference from other stations
QRN Atmospheric noise (static)
QRO Increase power
QRP Decrease power (low power)
QRQ Send faster
QRS Send more slowly
QRT Stop transmitting
QRU Nothing for you
QRV Ready
QRX Stand by, call again later
QRZ Who is calling me?
QSA Strength of the signals
QSB Fading of the signal
QSK Hearing between one's signals (break-in)
QSL Acknowledgement of receipt (the QSL card)
QSO Contact between two stations
QSP Relay a message
QSX Listen on another frequency
QSY Change frequency
QTC Messages to send
QTH Location of the station
QTR Exact time
73 Best regards
88 Love and kisses
CQ General call to all stations
DX Distance: a far-away station
DE From (before the sender's callsign)
K Over: go ahead
KN Over to the station called only
AR End of message
SK End of contact
BK Break: back to you
RST Report: readability, strength, tone
WX Weather
HR Here
OM A fellow amateur (“old man”)
YL A female operator (“young lady”)
XYL Wife (“ex-young lady”)
PSE Please
TNX Thanks
FB Excellent (“fine business”)
UR Your, you are
ES And
GM Good morning
GA Good afternoon
GE Good evening
GN Good night
R Received (roger)
CUL See you later
AGN Again
RIG The station's equipment
ANT Antenna
WKD Worked
CFM Confirm, confirmed
HI Laughter (in CW)
OP Operator (their name follows)
SRI Sorry
PWR Power