Radio shorthand and signal reports
Q signals, plain radio words, signal report phrases and ham shorthand, all in one searchable list.
Common Q signals
- QSL
- I received your message.
- QRZ
- Who is calling me?
- QTH
- My location is...
- QRM
- There is interference from other stations.
- QRN
- There is static or natural noise.
- QSY
- Change to another frequency.
- QRT
- Stop transmitting or shut down.
- QRX
- Please stand by.
- QRP
- Low power.
- QSO
- A conversation between stations.
Plain radio words
- Over
- I am done talking and waiting for your reply.
- Out
- This conversation is finished.
- Break
- I have something urgent to say.
- Copy
- I heard and understood you.
- Say again
- Please repeat that.
- Stand by
- Wait, I will get back to you.
- Roger
- Message received.
- Negative
- No.
- Affirmative
- Yes.
- Clear
- I am leaving the channel.
Signal reports
- Loud and clear
- Strong and easy to understand.
- Readable
- I can understand you.
- Scratchy
- Your audio has noise.
- Weak but readable
- Faint, but I can follow.
- Full quieting
- No noise on your signal at all.
- Breaking up
- Your audio is cutting in and out.
Ham shorthand
- 73
- Best regards.
- 88
- Love and kisses.
- CQ
- A general call to any station.
- DX
- A distant station.
- Rag chew
- A long, relaxed chat.
- Elmer
- An experienced mentor.
- Ham
- An amateur radio operator.
- Shack
- The room where your radio gear lives.
- HT
- A handheld transceiver.