The Q-Code

 The Q-Code

The Q-Code is a collection of codes used in Amateur Radio Communications.

They are three letter Codes, each starting with the letter Q.

Q-codes can be sent as statements or as questions. To distinguish the transmission of a Q-Code as a statement and the transmission of a Q-Code as a question, the Q-Code is prefixed with the military question mark or the morse code question mark.

The first of the Q-codes was put into use by the British government in 1909. Hey used Q-Codes in British ships and stations to facilitate communications. Licensing for the use of Q-Codes was done by the Postmaster general.

The use of Q-Codes for Communications by the British Maritime authorities inspired the use of Q-Codes by the International Community.  The Q-Codes allowed communication using different languages, making passing messages across easier for seafarers.

During the Second International Radiotelegraph Convention of 1912 in London, a list of Q-Code abbreviations and service regulations was penned down. These abbreviations and regulations came into effect on the 1^st of July 1913.

In the 1920s, the enforcement of regulations banning the use of spark-gap transmitters from land stations necessitated the change of the QSW/QSX code.

By the 1970s, the list of acceptable Q-Codes had increased to more than one hundred Q-Codes.

The use of Q-Codes had by then spread to a wide range of industries.

Q-Code Use In Meteorology

Q-Codes Can Be Used In Meteorology To Pass Across Information On Certain Meteorological Information.

QFE-Can, For Example, Be Used To Refer To The Atmospheric Pressure Of The Station In Question.

QNH-Shows The Altimeter Setting.

 Q-Code Use In Amateur Radio

Q-Codes Have Been Used In Amateur Radio Communications In Some More Casual Ways, Compared To Their Use In Morse Code.

Q-Codes Use In Amateur Radio

QRM- There Is Manmade Interference.

QRN- Atmospheric Noise Present.

QRP-Decrease Amount Of Power You’re Using

QRO- Increase The Amount Of Power You’re Using

QRV- Ready To Receive Transmission

Q-Code Use In Aviation

QDM- This Q-Codes Refers To The Magnetic Heading.

QFE- This Q-Codes Refers To The Atmospheric Pressure At The Runway Threshold.

QTE- This Q-Codes Refers To The True Bearing.

QFU- This Q-Codes Refers To The Magnetic Bearing Of The Runway.

QDR- This Q-Codes Refers To The Magnetic Bearing.

Q-Code Maritime Use

Q-Code Use In Maritime Setting Has Declined Drastically Over The Years Though.

QOE- I Confirm the Reception Of The Safety Signal.

QOH- Send A Phasing Signal For A Given Number Of Seconds.

QOO- I Can Transmit On Any Frequency.

QRN- Atmospheric Noise Is Strong.