HesapHanem

Q Code Lookup

Enter a Q code to see what it means.

Result

Interference
QRM
signal

How it is calculated

This is a lookup table, not a calculation. Your entry is trimmed and converted to upper case, so qrm, Qrm and QRM are the same, and it is then matched against 21 stored codes (all in ITU-R M.1172; the informal amateur “QRRR” is not one of them and is not stored): QRA, QRG, QRK, QRL, QRM, QRN, QRO, QRP, QRT, QRU, QRV, QRX, QRZ, QSB, QSK, QSL, QSO, QSP, QSY, QTH and QTR. The result gives one plain-language meaning, the code in capitals, and a category: signal for codes about how a signal sounds (QRM, QRN, QSB, QRG, QRK) and operational for the rest. Real Q codes can be a question or an answer depending on a question mark, but the tool shows a single fixed meaning. Typing a question mark, such as QTH?, or a code that is not stored, such as QRS, returns no result.

Worked example

An operator hears a distorted signal and sees the code QRM in a log. Typing qrm in lower case, the tool converts it to QRM and finds it in the table. The meaning is Interference, the code is shown as QRM and the category is signal, since it describes reception rather than a station action. If the same operator saw QRN instead, the tool would give Static / noise, also in the signal category.

Try this example →

Common mistakes

  • Adding a question mark, as in QTH?. The question mark is part of the entry, so it no longer matches; enter just the three letters.
  • Mixing up QRM and QRN. QRM is interference from other stations and QRN is natural static or noise, so the fix on the antenna or receiver is different.
  • Expecting every Q code to be listed. Only 21 are stored, so a valid code such as QRS gives no result.
  • Typing a ham abbreviation that is not a Q code, such as 73 or CQ. Only codes starting with Q are in the table.
  • Reading the meaning as always a statement. On the air QRZ? is a question, "who is calling me?", and the answer comes after the call; the tool lists only the standard meaning.

Sources

About this calculator

Q codes are three-letter shorthand codes starting with Q — originally developed for early 1900s Morse code telegraphy to compress common questions and statements into a few characters instead of spelling them out. QTH means “my location is” (sent as a question, “what is your location?”), QSL means “I acknowledge receipt” (and gives its name to the “QSL card” hobbyists exchange), and QRZ means “who is calling me?”

Each code can function as either a question or a statement depending on context or a following question mark — QRZ? asks “who is calling,” while QRZ with no question mark states “you are being called by...” This tool gives one standard meaning for each code, such as “My location is” for QTH.

Amateur (ham) radio operators still use dozens of these codes daily in voice and Morse contacts because they're faster to send than full phrases and work across language barriers between operators in different countries — this tool looks up the meaning of 21 of the most common codes, such as QRM, QSY, QRP and QSO, all as defined in ITU-R Recommendation M.1172.

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Comments (1)

  • Editorial team

    The table gives QRP as reduce power, yet among operators the word also names a style of operating: low-power QRP, usually five watts or less on CW. In the same way QSL is both a message and the name of the card you mail after a contact. Use the meaning shown as the standard starting point and expect on-air slang to stretch it. Which Q codes did you look for that are missing from the 22 stored?

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