Operating Reference
Q-codes, RST and phonetics
Operating reference
Search the Q-code table or phonetic alphabet, then use the interactive RST trainer.
Q-code background
Q-codes are three-letter signals beginning with Q. Add a question mark to ask; without one, the code usually gives an answer or instruction. They save time on air and help operators who do not share a language.
International radio regulations were agreed in Berlin in 1906 and revised in London in 1912 after the Titanic disaster. Amateur operators later adopted the codes useful on the amateur bands.
This table covers 48 Q-codes heard in amateur radio. Specialist maritime and aeronautical codes are left out. Source wording is normalised from ITU-R M.1172.
Full amateur operating Q-code reference
RST report trainer
Hear how signal strength, readability and CW tone quality change a received signal. Display animates while audio plays.
Local RST listening practice. R and S are set separately, while T applies only to CW. The audio demonstrates relative noise, QRM, fading and tone defects; it is not a calibrated RF measurement. Definitions follow the IRTS HAREC study guide.
International Morse code
A= .-
B= -...
C= -.-.
D= -..
E= .
F= ..-.
G= --.
H= ....
I= ..
J= .---
K= -.-
L= .-..
M= --
N= -.
O= ---
P= .--.
Q= --.-
R= .-.
S= ...
T= -
U= ..-
V= ...-
W= .--
X= -..-
Y= -.--
Z= --..
0= -----
1= .----
2= ..---
3= ...--
4= ....-
5= .....
6= -....
7= --...
8= ---..
9= ----.
ICAO / NATO phonetic alphabet
A = Alfa
B = Bravo
C = Charlie
D = Delta
E = Echo
F = Foxtrot
G = Golf
H = Hotel
I = India
J = Juliett
K = Kilo
L = Lima
M = Mike
N = November
O = Oscar
P = Papa
Q = Quebec
R = Romeo
S = Sierra
T = Tango
U = Uniform
V = Victor
W = Whiskey
X = X-ray
Y = Yankee
Z = Zulu