<BT> / =
Separator; break
Morse code
Send B and T as one continuous prosign. The printed equals sign has the same Morse pattern.
Aliases and search terms: = · BREAK
Example: NAME TOM <BT> QTH BOSTON
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REFERENCE
Abbreviation catalog
134 entries. Angle brackets identify letters sent continuously as a prosign; ordinary abbreviations retain normal character spacing.
Procedure & prosigns
? / <IMI>
Repeat; query
Morse code
A question mark may request a repeat. In formal traffic, linked IMI is used for a repeat or query.
Aliases and search terms: QUERY
<AA>
New line; end of line
Morse code
Linked AA is an end-of-line prosign. Spaced AA means “all after” in traffic handling.
<AR>
End of message
Morse code
Send A and R as one continuous prosign. Common at the end of a CQ or written message.
Example: CQ CQ DE BA7MTH <AR>
<AS>
Wait; stand by
Morse code
A linked prosign for a temporary pause.
Aliases and search terms: WAIT
BK
Break; rapid handover
Morse code
Usually sent as two normal letters. It can interrupt or rapidly hand the frequency back.
Aliases and search terms: BREAK IN
<CL>
Closing station; leaving the air
Morse code
Linked CL says the station is closing and will not continue listening. In other contexts CL may be read as “call”.
Aliases and search terms: CLOSING
CQ
General call to any station
Morse code
Use CQ to invite any station to answer; QRZ is not a substitute.
Aliases and search terms: GENERAL CALL
Example: CQ CQ DE BA7MTH <AR>
<CT>
Attention; commencing transmission
Morse code
A traditional linked transmission-start signal, uncommon in an ordinary amateur QSO.
Aliases and search terms: COMMENCING TRANSMISSION
DE
From; this is
Morse code
Precedes the sender’s callsign or identification.
Aliases and search terms: THIS IS · FROM
Example: W1ABC DE BA7MTH
<HH>
Error; correction follows
Morse code
Eight dits sent as one error prosign, followed by the corrected text.
Aliases and search terms: ERROR
II
I say again
Morse code
A traditional repetition indicator. AGN is more familiar in ordinary amateur CW.
Aliases and search terms: I SAY AGAIN
K
Over; any relevant station may transmit
Morse code
Hands over the frequency without restricting the reply to one named station.
Aliases and search terms: OVER · GO AHEAD
KN
Over to the named station only
Morse code
Send as K and N with normal letter spacing; other stations should keep out.
Aliases and search terms: GO AHEAD ONLY
R
Received correctly
Morse code
Acknowledges receipt; it does not mean yes in formal traffic.
Aliases and search terms: ROGER · RECEIVED
<SK>
End of contact
Morse code
Send S and K together as one prosign. This is different from the unlinked slang SK, “Silent Key”.
Aliases and search terms: VA · END OF CONTACT
<SOS>
Distress signal
Morse code
Reserved for grave and imminent danger to life or property; send as one continuous pattern.
Aliases and search terms: DISTRESS
<VA>
End of work
Morse code
A traditional notation for the same ...-.- pattern commonly written <SK> by radio amateurs.
Aliases and search terms: SK
Q signals
QRA
Station name
Morse code
With a question mark: “What is the name of your station?”
QRG
Exact frequency
Morse code
With a question mark: “What is my exact frequency?”
QRH
Frequency varies
Morse code
Reports or asks about frequency instability.
QRK
Signal intelligibility
Morse code
Usually followed by a 1–5 assessment in traffic work.
QRL
Busy; frequency in use
Morse code
Send QRL? before calling CQ on a frequency that appears clear.
Aliases and search terms: BUSY
Example: QRL?
QRM
Human-made interference
Morse code
Interference from another station or man-made source.
Aliases and search terms: INTERFERENCE
QRN
Atmospheric or natural noise
Morse code
Static or naturally generated interference.
Aliases and search terms: STATIC · NOISE
QRO
Increase transmitter power
Morse code
Also used informally for high-power operation.
Aliases and search terms: HIGH POWER
QRP
Decrease transmitter power; low power
Morse code
Also widely used as a name for low-power operating.
Aliases and search terms: LOW POWER
QRQ
Send faster
Morse code
A request to increase sending speed.
Aliases and search terms: FASTER
QRS
Send slower
Morse code
A request to reduce sending speed.
Aliases and search terms: SLOWER
Example: PSE QRS
QRT
Stop sending; close down
Morse code
May indicate ending operation, not merely handing over for one reply.
Aliases and search terms: STOP SENDING
QRU
Nothing for you; no traffic
Morse code
The answer is negative: there is no traffic or information to send.
Aliases and search terms: NOTHING FOR YOU
QRV
Ready
Morse code
Means ready in general, not only “ready to copy”.
Aliases and search terms: READY
Example: QRV?
QRX
Wait; call again later
Morse code
Often followed by a time or number of minutes.
Aliases and search terms: WAIT · CALL AGAIN
QRZ
Who is calling me?
Morse code
QRZ is not a general call and should not replace CQ.
Aliases and search terms: WHO IS CALLING
Example: QRZ?
QSA
Signal strength on a 1–5 scale
Morse code
An older signal-strength Q signal; RST is more familiar in ordinary amateur contacts.
QSB
Signal fading
Morse code
Signal strength varies over time.
Aliases and search terms: FADING
QSK
Break-in operation
Morse code
The operator can listen between transmitted elements or characters.
Aliases and search terms: BREAK IN
QSL
Acknowledge receipt
Morse code
QSL? asks for confirmation; QSL states that reception is acknowledged. It can also refer to a confirmation card.
Aliases and search terms: ACKNOWLEDGE
QSO
A radio contact; communicate directly
Morse code
Commonly used as a noun for an amateur-radio contact.
Aliases and search terms: CONTACT
Example: TKS FER QSO
QSP
Relay a message
Morse code
Requests or states that information will be relayed.
Aliases and search terms: RELAY
QSX
Listen on a specified frequency
Morse code
Often used during split-frequency operation.
Aliases and search terms: LISTEN ON
Example: QSX 7015
QSY
Change frequency
Morse code
May be followed by the new frequency.
Aliases and search terms: CHANGE FREQUENCY
QTC
Messages or traffic to send
Morse code
With a question mark: “How many messages have you to send?”
Aliases and search terms: TRAFFIC
QTH
Location
Morse code
Usually followed by a city, place, or locator.
Aliases and search terms: LOCATION
Example: QTH SHANTOU
QTR
Correct time
Morse code
Typically expressed in UTC using 24-hour format.
Aliases and search terms: TIME
Everyday QSO
AGN
Again
Morse code
Often used as a request for repetition.
Aliases and search terms: AGAIN
Example: PSE AGN
CFM
Confirm
Morse code
Requests confirmation that text or a group was copied correctly.
Aliases and search terms: CONFIRM
CPI
Copy; copied
Morse code
A common variant of CPY.
Aliases and search terms: CPY · COPY
CPY
Copy; copied
Morse code
Used for received information or the ability to understand a signal.
Aliases and search terms: CPI · COPY
Example: HW CPY?
ES
And
Morse code
A very common CW connective.
Aliases and search terms: AND
Example: 73 ES CUL
FER
For
Morse code
A phonetic shorthand for “for”.
Aliases and search terms: FOR
Example: TKS FER CALL
FM
From
Morse code
A compact alternative to DE or the full word FROM; less common in a normal call exchange.
Aliases and search terms: FROM
HR
Here
Morse code
Often introduces local weather or conditions.
Aliases and search terms: HERE
Example: WX HR SUNNY
HW
How
Morse code
Common in HW CPY? or HW?
Aliases and search terms: HOW
Example: HW CPY?
MSG
Message
Morse code
May refer to the current or preceding transmission.
Aliases and search terms: MESSAGE
N
No; negative
Morse code
In contests N may also be a cut number for 9; context matters.
Aliases and search terms: NO · NEGATIVE
NIL
Nothing; nothing heard
Morse code
Often means nothing was copied or no record is available.
Aliases and search terms: NOTHING · NONE
Example: SRI NIL CPY
NW
Now
Morse code
A common time-saving abbreviation.
Aliases and search terms: NOW
OK
Okay; all correct
Morse code
Agreement or confirmation.
Aliases and search terms: ALL CORRECT
PSE
Please
Morse code
PSE is the established CW form; PLS is retained as a searchable variant.
Aliases and search terms: PLS · PLEASE
Example: PSE AGN
RPT
Repeat
Morse code
Requests or announces repetition.
Aliases and search terms: REPEAT
RPRT
Report
Morse code
Often appears in TKS FER RPRT.
Aliases and search terms: REPORT
SFR
So far
Morse code
Traditional conversational shorthand; uncommon in concise modern QSOs.
Aliases and search terms: SO FAR
SRI
Sorry
Morse code
Used for an apology or correction.
Aliases and search terms: SORRY
TKS
Thanks
Morse code
TKS and TNX are both widely recognized.
Aliases and search terms: TNX · THX · THANKS
Example: TKS FER QSO
TU
Thank you
Morse code
A very short, common expression of thanks.
Aliases and search terms: THANK YOU
U
You
Morse code
A common one-letter shorthand.
Aliases and search terms: YOU
UR
Your; you are
Morse code
Meaning depends on sentence context.
Aliases and search terms: YOUR · YOU ARE
Example: UR RST 579
WID
With
Morse code
A phonetic shorthand for “with”.
Aliases and search terms: WITH
Station & signal
ANT
Antenna
Morse code
May introduce antenna type, height, or direction.
Aliases and search terms: ANTENNA
CNDX
Conditions; propagation conditions
Morse code
Usually refers to radio propagation or operating conditions.
Aliases and search terms: CONDX · CONDITIONS
DX
Long distance; distant station
Morse code
Meaning varies with band and operating context.
Aliases and search terms: DISTANCE · LONG DISTANCE
FREQ
Frequency
Morse code
Often followed by a value or change instruction.
Aliases and search terms: FREQUENCY
HRD
Heard
Morse code
Used in reception reports or spotting notes.
Aliases and search terms: HEARD
LP
Long-path propagation
Morse code
Signals arrive by the longer great-circle route.
Aliases and search terms: LONG PATH
OP
Operator
Morse code
OP and OPR are common variants.
Aliases and search terms: OPR · OPERATOR
PWR
Power
Morse code
Often followed by transmitter power in watts.
Aliases and search terms: POWER
Example: PWR 5W
RIG
Radio equipment
Morse code
Often followed by the transceiver model.
Aliases and search terms: RADIO
RX
Receiver; receive
Morse code
Meaning depends on whether it names equipment or an action.
Aliases and search terms: RECEIVER · RECEIVE
SIG
Signal; signals
Morse code
In formal traffic SIG can also mean signature.
Aliases and search terms: SIGS · SIGNAL · SIGNALS
SKED
Scheduled contact
Morse code
A contact arranged for a particular time and frequency.
Aliases and search terms: SCHEDULE
SP
Short-path propagation
Morse code
Signals arrive by the shorter great-circle route.
Aliases and search terms: SHORT PATH
TEMP
Temperature
Morse code
Often follows WX information.
Aliases and search terms: TEMPERATURE
TRX
Transceiver
Morse code
TRX and XCVR are both used.
Aliases and search terms: XCVR · TRANSCEIVER
TX
Transmitter; transmit
Morse code
Meaning depends on whether it names equipment or an action.
Aliases and search terms: TRANSMITTER · TRANSMIT
WKG
Working; communicating with
Morse code
Often names a station currently being worked.
Aliases and search terms: WORKING
WKD
Worked; contacted
Morse code
Common in logs and award discussions.
Aliases and search terms: WORKED
WPM
Words per minute; CW speed
Morse code
Controls Morse timing; it does not describe tone pitch.
Aliases and search terms: WORDS PER MINUTE
WX
Weather
Morse code
Often followed by a short local weather report.
Aliases and search terms: WEATHER
Example: WX HR SUNNY
Greetings & numbers
73
Best regards
Morse code
A complete traditional expression; “73s” is redundant.
Example: TKS FER QSO 73
88
Love and kisses
Morse code
Normally reserved for a close personal relationship.
SK
Silent Key; a deceased radio amateur
Morse code
This is an unlinked written or spoken abbreviation, not the end-of-contact prosign.
Aliases and search terms: SILENT KEY
FB
Fine business; excellent
Morse code
A traditional telegraph expression of approval.
Aliases and search terms: FINE BUSINESS · EXCELLENT
Example: FB CPY
GA
Good afternoon; go ahead
Morse code
The intended meaning comes from position and context.
Aliases and search terms: GOOD AFTERNOON · GO AHEAD
GD
Good; good day
Morse code
A compact greeting or adjective.
Aliases and search terms: GOOD · GOOD DAY
GE
Good evening
Morse code
A time-of-day greeting.
Aliases and search terms: GOOD EVENING
GL
Good luck
Morse code
Often used before a contest or difficult contact.
Aliases and search terms: GOOD LUCK
GM
Good morning
Morse code
A time-of-day greeting.
Aliases and search terms: GOOD MORNING
GN
Good night
Morse code
Usually used when closing a late contact.
Aliases and search terms: GOOD NIGHT
GUD
Good
Morse code
A phonetic shorthand for “good”.
Aliases and search terms: GOOD
HI
Laughter in CW
Morse code
Equivalent to a light “ha ha”, not the spoken greeting “hi”.
Aliases and search terms: LAUGHTER
HNY
Happy New Year
Morse code
A seasonal greeting.
Aliases and search terms: HAPPY NEW YEAR
MX
Merry Christmas
Morse code
A seasonal greeting.
Aliases and search terms: MERRY CHRISTMAS · XMAS
OM
Traditional friendly address for a male operator
Morse code
A historical amateur-radio expression; use with awareness of context.
Aliases and search terms: OLD MAN
UFB
Extremely good
Morse code
An emphatic form of FB.
Aliases and search terms: ULTRA FINE BUSINESS
VY
Very
Morse code
A common compact modifier.
Aliases and search terms: VERY
YL
Female radio operator
Morse code
A traditional amateur-radio term independent of actual age.
Aliases and search terms: YOUNG LADY
XYL
Wife or spouse
Morse code
A traditional historical expression.
Aliases and search terms: WIFE · SPOUSE
DX, contest & traffic
AA
All after
Morse code
A formal traffic fill request; do not run the two letters together.
Aliases and search terms: ALL AFTER
AB
All before
Morse code
A formal traffic fill request.
Aliases and search terms: ALL BEFORE
C
Yes; affirmative
Morse code
Formal CW traffic shorthand, including an affirmative reply to CFM.
Aliases and search terms: YES
<VE>
Verified
Morse code
A traditional traffic-handling verification signal, not a routine QSO closing.
Aliases and search terms: VERIFIED
5NN
Cut-number form of 599
Morse code
N represents 9 to shorten a contest exchange.
Aliases and search terms: 599
Example: UR RST 5NN
ADR
Address
Morse code
ARRL traffic references use ADR; ADS is retained as a searchable screenshot variant.
Aliases and search terms: ADS · ADDRESS
BN
Between
Morse code
A formal fill request used with two bounding groups.
Aliases and search terms: BTN · BETWEEN
BURO
QSL bureau
Morse code
Used when discussing QSL-card routing.
Aliases and search terms: BUREAU
CK
Message word count
Morse code
In formal radiograms, CK precedes or identifies the check count.
Aliases and search terms: CHECK
CP
Call specified stations
Morse code
A historical commercial or traffic shorthand, not a normal substitute for CQ.
Aliases and search terms: ANY SPECIFIED STATIONS
CQD
Historical distress call
Morse code
A pre-SOS commercial radiotelegraph distress signal; not the current amateur distress procedure.
Aliases and search terms: DISTRESS
CS
Call sign
Morse code
A historical shorthand; modern amateur text more often writes CALL or CALLSIGN.
Aliases and search terms: CALL SIGN
DIRECT
Direct postal QSL exchange
Morse code
Contrasts with QSL via a bureau.
Aliases and search terms: DIRECT QSL
DWN
Listen or move down in frequency
Morse code
Often followed by an offset during split operation.
Aliases and search terms: DOWN
EC
End copy; out
Morse code
A historical traffic shorthand, uncommon in an ordinary amateur QSO.
Aliases and search terms: END COPY · OUT
LID
Poor or inconsiderate operator
Morse code
Derogatory slang; explain it for recognition, not as recommended operating language.
NR
Number; sometimes near
Morse code
In contests and traffic it usually introduces a serial or message number.
Aliases and search terms: NUMBER · NEAR
RST
Readability, strength and tone report
Morse code
CW reports use three digits: readability 1–5, strength 1–9, tone 1–9.
Aliases and search terms: READABILITY STRENGTH TONE
Example: UR RST 579
SPLIT
Transmit and receive on different frequencies
Morse code
The DX station announces where it is listening.
Aliases and search terms: SPLIT FREQUENCY
TEST
Contest
Morse code
CQ TEST is a call to stations participating in a contest.
Aliases and search terms: CONTEST · CQ TEST
Example: CQ TEST DE BA7MTH
UP
Listen or move up in frequency
Morse code
Often followed by an offset during split operation.
Aliases and search terms: LISTEN UP
Example: UP 2
W
Word; words
Morse code
Formal traffic shorthand; WD is another written variant.
Aliases and search terms: WORD · WORDS · WD
WA
Word after
Morse code
A formal traffic fill request.
Aliases and search terms: WORD AFTER
WB
Word before
Morse code
A formal traffic fill request.
Aliases and search terms: WORD BEFORE
Z
Zulu time; UTC
Morse code
Usually follows a four-digit UTC time.
Aliases and search terms: ZULU · UTC
Example: 1420Z
ZWF
Your last transmission was wrong
Morse code
A traditional traffic correction signal; not common conversational CW.
Aliases and search terms: WRONG
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Sources and scope
Everyday operating guidance prioritizes IARU and ARRL sources. Formal traffic terms are labeled separately so they are not mistaken for routine QSO language.