Radio codes and alphabets

In radio communications done for military radio usage, CB radio or Amateur radio or telegraph usage there are certain standards to enable accurate communications.

## Contents

* 1 Phonetic Alphabet
* 2 Morse Code
* 3 Q-Code
* 4 RST code
* 5 RSQ code
* 6 RSV code for SSTV transmissions
* 7 CW Abbreviations
* 8 See also
* 9 References

## Phonetic Alphabet[edit]

A number of phonetic alphabets exist. The NATO version is most common and can be considered to be the "international" phonetic alphabet.

Letter  |  Code word  |  Pronunciation

|
|

A  |  Alfa | AL FAH
B  | Bravo | BRAH VOH
C  | Charlie | CHAR LEE
D  | Delta | DELL TAH
E  | Echo | ECK OH
F  | Foxtrot | FOKS TROT
G  | Golf | GAHLF
H  | Hotel | HO TELL
I  | India | IN DEE AH
J  | Juliet | JEW LEE ETT
K  | Kilo | KEY LOH
L  | Lima | LEE MAH
M  | Mike | MIKE
N  | November | NO VEM BER
O  | Oscar | OSS CAH
P  | Papa | PAH PAH
Q  | Quebec | KEH BECK
R  | Romeo | ROW ME OH
S  |  Sierra | SEE AIR RAH
T  | Tango | TANG GO
U  | Uniform | YOU NEE FORM
V  | Victor | VIK TAH
W  | Whiskey | WISS KEY
X  | X-ray or
Xray | ECKS RAY
Y  | Yankee | YANG KEY
Z  | Zulu | ZOO LOO
|  |
Number |  Code word |  Pronunciation
0  | Zero  | ZE RO
1  |  One  | WUN
2  |  Two  | TOO
3  |  Three  | TREE
4  | Four  | FOW ER
5  | Five  | FIFE
6  | Six  | SIX
7  | Seven  | SEV EN
8  | Eight  | AIT
9  | Nine  | NIN ER

## Morse Code[edit]

Main articles: Morse code

Morse code is a way to encode text through the generation of a carrier wave (CW). It is used to communicate over long distances or with low power (QRP).

You do not need to learn Morse code to obtain a Amateur radio license or operate an amateur radio station anymore.

The code is composed of 5 elements:

1. short mark, dot or 'dit' (·) — one unit long
2. longer mark, dash or 'dah' (–) — three units long
3. intra-character gap (between the dots and dashes within a character) — one unit long
4. short gap (between letters) — three units long
5. medium gap (between words) — seven units long

Character  |  Code  |  Character  |  Code  |  Character  |  Code  |  Character  |  Code  |  Character  |  Code  |  Character  |  Code

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A |  · — |  J |  · — — — |  S |  · · · |  1 |  · — — — — |  . |  · — · — · — |  : |  — — — · · ·
B |  — · · · |  K |  — · — |  T |  — |  2 |  · · — — — |  , |  — — · · — — |  ; |  — · — · — ·
C |  — · — · |  L |  · — · · |  U |  · · — |  3 |  · · · — — |  ? |  · · — — · · |  = |  — · · · —
D |  — · · |  M |  — — |  V |  · · · — |  4 |  · · · · — |  '' |  · — — — — · |  + |  · — · — ·
E |  · |  N |  — · |  W |  · — — |  5 |  · · · · · |  ! |  — · — · — — |  - |  — · · · · —
F |  · · — · |  O |  — — — |  X |  — · · — |  6 |  — · · · · |  / |  — · · — · |  _ |  · · — — · —
G |  — — · |  P |  · — — · |  Y |  — · — — |  7 |  — — · · · |  ( |  — · — — · |  " |  · — · · — ·
H |  · · · · |  Q |  — — · — |  Z |  — — · · |  8 |  — — — · · |  ) |  — · — — · — |  $ |  · · · — · · —
I |  · · |  R |  · — · |  0 |  — — — — — |  9 |  — — — — · |  & |  · — · · · |  @ |  · — — · — ·

## Q-Code[edit]

These codes were originally developed to shorten transmission times when using CW, but are frequently used in voice transmissions. (eg. I am going to go QRT, thanks for the QSO.)

The QRA...QUZ code range includes phrases applicable to all services and is allocated to the International Telecommunications Union. NATO's ACP 131(E), COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS - OPERATING SIGNALS, March 1997, chapter 2 contains a full list of 'Q' codes. Other 'Q' code ranges are allocated specifically to aviation radio or maritime services; many of those codes have fallen into disuse as voice displaces CW in commercial operation.

The Q-code was originally instituted at the Radiotelegraph Convention held in London, 1912 and was intended for marine radiotelegraph use. The codes were based on an earlier list published by the British postmaster general's office in 1908.[1] More information about the history and usage of Q-codes can be found here.

Code  |  Meaning  |  Sample use  Q Codes Commonly Used by Radio Amateurs

|
|

QRG  |  Exact frequency  |  HE TX ON QRG 14205 kHz
QRI  |  Tone (T in the RST code)  |  UR QRI IS 9
QRK  |  Intelligibility (R in the RST code)  |  UR QRK IS 5
QRL  |  This frequency is busy.  |  Used almost exclusively with Morse code, usually as a question (QRL? - is this frequency busy?) before transmitting on a new frequency
QRM |  Man-made interference  |  ANOTHER QSO UP 2 kHz CAUSING LOT OF QRM
QRN |  Natural interference, e.g. static crashes  |  BAND NOISY TODAY LOT OF QRN
QRO  |  Increase power |  NEED QRO WHEN PROP POOR
QRP |  Decrease power  |  QRP TO 5 W (As a mode of operation, a QRP station is five watts or less, a QRPp station one watt or less)
QRQ  |  Send more quickly  |  TIME SHORT PSE QRQ
QRR  |  Temporarily unavailable/away, please wait  |  WILL BE QRR 30 MIN = THAT STN IS QRR NW
QRRR  |  Land distress  |  A non-standard call proposed by ARRL for land-based or railroad emergency traffic in situations where response from ships at sea (which listened for SOS) was neither needed nor desired.[2][3] Now deprecated.
QRS |  Send more slowly  |  PSE QRS NEW TO CW (QRS operation - a slower dot rate - is useful during weak-signal conditions; a QRSS mode uses an extremely low code rate on a channel less than 1 Hz wide to allow reception under extreme QRP conditions)
QRT  |  Stop sending  |  ENJOYED TALKING 2 U = MUST QRT FER DINNER NW
QRU  |  Have you anything for me?  |  QRU? ABOUT TO QRT
QRV  |  I am ready  |  WL U BE QRV IN UPCOMING CONTEST?
QRX  |  Will call you again  |  QRX @ 1500H
QRZ  |  You are being called by ________.  |  QRZ? UR VY WEAK (Only someone who has previously called should reply)
QSA  |  Signal strength |  UR QSA IS 5
QSB  |  Fading of signal  |  THERE IS QSB ON UR SIG
QSD  |  Your keying is defective  |  QSD CK YR TX
QSK  |  Break-in  |  I CAN HR U DURING MY SIGS PSE QSK
QSL |  I Acknowledge receipt  |  QSL UR LAST TX = PSE QSL VIA BURO (i.e. please send me a card confirming this contact).
QSM  |  Repeat last message  |  QRM DROWNED UR LAST MSG OUT = PSE QSM
QSN  |  I heard you  |  QSN YESTERDAY ON 7005 kHz
QSO  |  A conversation  |  TNX QSO 73
QSP  |  Relay  |  PSE QSP THIS MSG TO MY FRIEND
QST  |  General call to all stations  |  QST: QRG ALLOCS HV CHGD
QSX  |  I am listening on ... frequency |  QSX 14200 TO 14210 kHz
QSY |  Shift to transmit on ...  |  LETS QSY UP 5 kHz
QTA  |  Disregard last message |  QTA, DID NOT MEAN THAT
QTC  |  Traffic  |  STN WID EMRG QTC PSE GA
QTH |  Location  |  QTH IS SOUTH PARK CO
QTR  |  Exact time  |  QTR IS 2000 Z

## RST code[edit]

The RST code, in its original form, is intended for CW operation. On SSB, the final digit (tone) is normally omitted.

Number  |  R - Readability  |  S - Strength  |  T - Tone  RST Code Commonly Used by Radio Amateurs

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1  |  Unreadable  |  Faint signal, barely perceptible  |  Sixty cycles (Hertz) a.c or less, very rough and broad
2  |  Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable  |  Very Weak  |  Very rough a.c., very harsh and broad
3  |  Readable with considerable difficulty  |  Weak  |  Rough a.c. tone, rectified but not filtered
4  |  Readable with practically no difficulty  |  Fair  |  Rough note, some trace of filtering frequency
5  |  Perfectly readable  |  Fairly Good  |  Filtered rectified a.c. but strongly ripple-modulated
6  |  not used  |  Good  |  Filtered tone, definite trace of ripple modulation
7  |  not used  |  Moderately Strong  |  Near pure tone, trace of ripple modulation
8  |  not used  |  Strong  |  Near perfect tone, slight trace of modulation
9  |  not used  |  Very strong signals  |  Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind  |

In CW operation, individual digits may be abbreviated by substituting as follows: 1 = A, 2 = U, 3 = V, 4 = 4, 5 = E, 6 = 6, 7 = B, 8 = D, 9 = N, 0 = T (for instance, RST 599 could be sent as 5NN - a shorter message in CW). These are referred to as "cut numbers" and are obtained by replacing all of the dashes in a CW digit with a single dash. Cut numbers are not suitable for transmitting data which already contains mixed alphanumerics, such as callsigns.[4]

## RSQ code[edit]

Often used to describe reception and quality of digital modes such as PSK31

Number  |  R - Readability  |  S - Strength  |  V - Quality  RSQ Code Commonly Used by Radio Amateurs

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1  |  0% copy - undecipherable  |  barely perceptible trace  |  splatter over much of the spectrum
2  |  20% copy -occasional words distinguishable  |  not used  |  not used
3  |  40% copy - readable with difficulty, many missed characters  |  Weak trace  |  multiple visible pairs
4  |  80% copy - Readable with no difficulty  |  not used  |  not used
5  |  95%+ copy - Perfectly readable  |  Moderate trace  |  One easily visible pair
6  |  not used  |  not used  |  not used
7  |  not used  |  Strong Trace  |  One barely visible pair
8  |  not used  |  not used  |  not used
9  |  not used  |  Very strong trace  |  Clean signal - no visible unwanted sidebars  |

## RSV code for SSTV transmissions[edit]

Number  |  R - Readability  |  S - Strength  |  V - Video  RSV Code Commonly Used by Radio Amateurs

|
|
|

1  |  Unreadable  |  Faint signal, barely perceptible  |  Picture unreadable
2  |  Barely readable  |  Very Weak  |  picture barely visible
3  |  Readable with difficulty  |  Weak  |  Readable with flaws
4  |  Readable with no difficulty  |  Fair  |  Very good picture some flaws
5  |  Perfectly readable  |  Fairly Good  |  Perfect picture no flaws
6  |  not used  |  Good  |  not used
7  |  not used  |  Moderately Strong  |  not used
8  |  not used  |  Strong  |  not used
9  |  not used  |  Very strong signals  |  not used  |

In fast-scan amateur television (ATV), signal-to-noise ratio is reported as one of:

P0 - all image detail lost
P1 - 3-8dB, barely legible
P2 - 8-20dB, definitely noisy
P3 - 20-35dB, somewhat noisy
P4 - 35-45dB, slightly noisy
P5 - 45dB+, no discernible noise[5]

## CW Abbreviations[edit]

These abbreviations are commonly used in CW transmissions to shorten transmission times. Not all CW operators use all of them - most will use very few. As a general rule most operators do not abbreviate unnecessarily, especially when communication with an operator that they do not know or whose experience is unknown. In contest conditions, abbreviations are common as operators try to gain as many contacts as possible over the competition period.

Abbreviation  |  Meaning  |  Abbreviation  |  Meaning  CW Abbreviations

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AA  |  All After  |  OB  |  Old Boy
AB  |  All Before  |  OC  |  Old Chap
ABT  |  About  |  OM  |  Old Man
ADEE  |  Addressee  |  OP  |  Operator
ADR  |  Address  |  OPR  |  Operator
AGN  |  Again  |  OT  |  Old Timer
AM  |  Amplitude Modulation |  PBL  |  Preamble
ANT  |  Antenna  |  PKG  |  Package
BCI  |  Broadcast Interference  |  PSE  |  Please
BCL  |  Broadcast listener  |  PT  |  Point
BCNU  |  Be seeing you  |  PWR  |  Power
BK  |  Break in  |  PX  |  Press
BN  |  Between, Been  |  R  |  Received, Are
BT  |  Separation  |  RC  |  Ragchew
BTR  |  Better  |  RCD  |  Received
Bug  |  Semi automatic key  |  RCVR  |  Receiver
C  |  Yes, Correct  |  REF  |  Refer to
CFM  |  Confirm, I confirm  |  RFI  |  Radio Frequency Interference
CK  |  Check  |  RIG  |  Station Equipment
CKT  |  Circuit  |  RPT  |  Repeat, Report
CL  |  Closing Station, Call  |  RTTY  |  Radioteletype
CLBK  |  Callbook  |  RST  |  Readability Strength Tone
CLD  |  Called  |  RX  |  Receive, receiver
CLG  |  Calling  |  SASE  |  Self-addressed stamped envelope
CNT  |  Cant  |  SED  |  Said
CONDX  |  Conditions  |  SEZ  |  Says
CQ  |  Calling any station  |  SGD  |  Signed
CU  |  See you  |  SIG  |  Signature, Signal
CUL  |  See you later  |  SINE  |  Personal initials or nickname
CUM  |  Come  |  SKED  |  Schedule
CW  |  Continuous Wave  |  SRI  |  Sorry
DA  |  day  |  SS  |  Sweepstakes
DE  |  From, From this  |  SSB  |  Single sideband
DIFF  |  Difference  |  STN  |  Station
DLD & DLVD  |  Delivered  |  SUM  |  Some
DN  |  Down  |  SVC  |  Service
DR  |  Delivered  |  T  | Zero
DX |  Distance  |  TFC  | Traffic
EL  |  Element  |  TMW  | Tomorrow
ES  |  And  |  TKS & TNX  | Thanks
FB  |  Fine business  |  TR & TX  | Transmit
FER  |  For  |  T/R  | Transmit/Receive
FM |  Frequency Modulation, From  |  TRIX  | Tricks
GA  |  Go ahead, Good afternoon  |  TT  | That
GB  |  Goodbye, God Bless  |  TTS  | That is
GD  |  Good  |  TU  | Thank you
GE  |  Good Evening  |  TVI  | Television interference
GESS  |  Guess  |  TX  |  Transmitter, Transmit
GG  |  Going  |  TXT  |  text
GM  |  Good Morning  |  U  |  You
GN  |  Good Night  |  UR  |  You're Your
GND |  Ground |  URS  |  Yours
GUD  |  Good  |  VFB  |  Very Fine Business
GV  |  Give  |  VFO  |  Variable Frequency Oscillator
HH  |  Error sending  |  VY  |  Very
HI HI  |  Laughter  |  W  |  Watts
HR  |  Hear  |  WA  |  Word After
HV  |  Have  |  WD  |  Word
HW  |  How, Copy?  |  WDS  |  Words
IMI  |  Repeat, say again  |  WKD  |  Worked
LNG  |  long  |  WKG  |  Working
LTR  |  Later  |  WPM  |  Words per minute
LVG  |  Leaving  |  WRD  |  Word
MA & MILLS  |  Milliamperes  |  WX  |  Weather
MSG  |  Message  |  TXVR  |  Transceiver
N  |  No, Nine  |  XMTR  |  Transmitter
NCS  |  Net Control Station  |  XTL  |  Crystal
ND  |  Nothing Doing  |  XYL, YF  |  Wife
NM  |  No More  |  YL  |  Young Lady
NR  |  Number  |  YR  |  Year
NW  |  Now, Resume transmission  |  73  |  Best Regards  |

In 1859, Western Union standardized on the "92 code", a series of telegraphic abbreviations in which numbers (originally 1 to 92) were assigned meanings.[6] These were later included as part of the "Philips Code", a series of abbreviations first published in 1879 by Walter Phillips of the Associated Press for use in the telegraphic transmission of press dispatches.[7]

While most of the codes have fallen into disuse, the form 19 and 31 train orders remained in railroad use long beyond the end of land line telegraphy, the use of '30' at the end of a news wire story was continued through the teletypewriter era and the '73' and '88' greetings remain in use in amateur radiotelegraphy.

Abbreviation  |  Meaning  |  Abbreviation  |  Meaning  Western Union codes

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1 | Wait a minute.  | 25 | Busy on another wire.
2 | Very Important.  | 26 | Put on ground wire.
3 | What time is it?  | 27 | Priority, very important.
4 | Where shall I go ahead?  | 28 | Do you get my writing?.
5 | Have you business for me?  | 29 | Private, deliver in sealed envelope.
6 | I am ready.  | 30 | No more - the end.
7 | Are you ready?  | 31 | Form 31 (permissive) train order.
8 | Close your key, stop breaking.  | 32 | I understand that I am to ....
9 | Priority business. Wire Chief's call.  | 33 | Answer is paid.
10 | Keep this circuit closed.  | 34 | Message for all officers.
12 | Do you understand?  | 35 | You may use my signal to answer this.
13 | I understand.  | 37 | Inform all interested.
14 | What is the weather?  | 39 | Important, with priority on through wire.
15 | For you and others to copy.  | 44 | Answer promptly by wire.
17 | Lightning here.  | 55 | Important.
18 | What's the trouble?  | 73 | Best Regards.
19 | Form 19 (absolute) train order.  | 77 | I have a message for you.
21 | Stop for meal.  | 88 | Love and kisses.
22 | Wire test.  | 91 | Superintendent's signal.
23 | All stations copy.  | 92 | Deliver Promptly.
24 | Repeat this back.  | 134 | Who is at the key?

Two non-standard codes, rarely-used, were coined within the amateur radiotelegraph service. The Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) organized in 1939 and quickly coined '33' as "Love sealed with mutual respect and friendship between one YL and another YL".[8] More recently, '72' has been used in QRP operation to signify a '73' sent with reduced transmitter power.

## See also[edit]

* Amateur radio
* Amateur radio glossary
* Radio communication technologies

* Radio: Radio waves, Electromagnetic wave, Radio frequency, AM/FM, modulation, amplitude, amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or single-sideband modulation (SSB), Shortwave, Two-way radio, Portable radio, Walkie-talkie, Citizens band radio, Family Radio Service (FMS), General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), Multi-Use Radio Service (MRS), Motorola, Marine VHF radio, History of radio

* Amateur Radio: Emergency communications, Amateur radio operator, Call sign, Selecting a radio, Amateur radio glossary, Amateur radio repeater, Base station, Amateur radio frequency allocations, Amateur bands, Amateur radio station, UHF (70-centimeter band), VHF (2-meter band), HF, Morse code, Telegraph, Mobile rig, Radio codes and alphabets, QSL card

* Antenna (radio): Antenna theory, Portable operation (amateur radio), Dipole antenna, Antenna tuner, Homebrew antennas, Coaxial cable, Balun, Packet radio, Propagation, Protecting your HT Antenna

* Radio Standards Organization: Radio legalities, FCC, American Radio Relay League, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

* Satellite: GPS
* Cellular telephone: Mobile devices: Smartphones and tablets
* Apple iOS for iPhone-iPod-iPad
* Android
* Blackberry
* Microsoft Windows Phone with Windows 8
* Cell phone health scare, Mobile phones and brain tumor risk

* Bug-out bag (BOB) and Everday carry (EDC)

## References[edit]

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