Morse Code : Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

Listening to any CW QSO you’ll hear many codes, abbreviations and terms being used designed to make sending and receiving easier.

Below you’ll find some of the most common “Q” codes, abbreviations, etc in use with a link to sites where further information can be sourced.

Q Codes

QRLAre you busy? Is this frequency in use?QRZWho is calling
QRMMan made interferenceQSLConfirmation of reception or a card confirming reception
QRN
Noise interferenceQSOA radio contact
QRSSlow morse / send slowerQSYChange frequency to ....
QRTI am closing downQTHPosition
QRXWait or pauseI

A much fuller list can be found https://hamradio.org.uk/q-codes/

 

CW Punctuation

Comma― ― • • ― ―Full Stop• ― • ― • ―
Forward Slash― • • ― • Separator― • • • ―

More Punctuation https://www.cryptomuseum.com/radio/morse/

Abbreviations from SRS CW Sessions

73Best wishes
OPOperator
88Love and kisses
PSEPlease
AGNAgainPWRPower
ANTAntennaRRoger or OK
CULSee you laterRIGStation Equipment
ESAndRPTRepeat
FBFine business or OKRPRTReport
GAGood afternoonSIGSignal
GBGood byeSKEDSchedule
GEGood eveningSRISorry
GMGood morningTMWTomorrow
GUDGoodTNXThanks
HILaughterTKSThanks
HWHowTUThank you
MSGMessage
VYVery
NIlNothingWXWeather
NWNowXYLWife
OBOld boyYLYoung lady
OMOld man

Fuller list from http://www.hamradio.cc/cw/cw_morse_code_abbreviations.php

Procedural Signals (Prosigns)

AREnd of Message
EEEEEEEEError
ASStandbyKInvitation to transmit
BTPauseKNGo ahead specific station
CLClose DownSKEnd of contact

Unlike Morse Code abbreviations, the above signals are sent as a single character (no spacing between letters)

More on Prosigns can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosigns_for_Morse_code