Quick Notes for New Hams May 2014

Common Amateur Radio Q-Codes

QRL – Are you busy?
I am busy (or I am busy with ___). Please do not interfere.

QRM – Is my transmission being interfered with?
Your transmission is being interfered with ___.
(1. Nil 2. Slightly 3. Moderately 4. Severely 5. Extremely)

QRN – Are you troubled by static?
I am troubled by static —. (1-5 as under QRM)

QRO – Shall I increase power?
Increase power.

QRP – Shall I decrease power?
Decrease power.

QRT – Shall I stop sending?
Stop sending.

QRU – Have you anything for me?
I have nothing for you.

QRV – Are you ready?
I am ready.

QRZ – Who is calling me?
You are being called by ___ (on ___ kHz).

QSL – Can you acknowledge receipt?
I am acknowledging receipt.

QSO – Can you communicate with ___ direct or by relay?
I can communicate with ___ direct (or by relay through ___).

QST – General call preceding a message addressed to all amateurs and ARRL members. This is in effect, “CQ ARRL”.

QSY – Shall I change to transmission on another frequency?
Change transmission to another frequency (or ___ kHz).

QTH – What is your location?
My location is ___.

Other Codes

C Q – Calling any station

SK – end of contact (sent before call). Also refers to a deceased ham radio operator.

73 – Best Regards

88 – Love and Kisses (Rarely used now)

Affirmative – yes

Negative – no

Phonetic Alphabet

Note:  Although many seasoned hams do not stick strictly to the standard phonetic alphabet, its use is encouraged.  Use of the phonetic alphabet ads professionalism to your QSO.

When a station has difficulty hearing you, you can use the phonetic alphabet, preceded by the words, “I spell.”

Numbers

0 Zero

1 O-wun

2 Two

3 Tree

4 Four

5 Fife

6 Six

7 Seven

8 Eight

9 Nin-er

Common VHF/UHF FM Simplex Frequencies

70 CM Band

446.000*

A 25 KHz spacing matrix is used on this band. Because of the short range of FM simplex on 440 MHz, no other simplex frequencies are specifically identified on this band. * National simplex