K3WWP's CW Q Signals

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Q Signals
by John Shannon, K3WWP

As with the English language there are many ambiguities among Q signals. The meanings for many of the Q signals have evolved with usage over the years. Many of them have evolved from sentences to words. For example QTH Kittanning, PA means "My location is Kittanning, PA". However it is commonly (erroneously?) used as My QTH is Kittanning, PA using QTH as a noun. Most Q signals can be used as questions (WITH A ? AFTER THE SIGNAL) as well as statements. The ? is very important. The meaning is different with and without the ?. The following table lists the more commonly used Q signals with their traditional meanings as a question and as a statement.

Signal	Used As a Question	Used As a Statement
QRG	What is my (his) frequency?	Your (His) frequency is ------
QRH	Does my frequency vary?	Your frequency varies
QRI	How is the tone of my transmission?	Your tone is 1 (good) 2 (variable) 3 (bad)
QRJ	Are you receiving me badly? Are my signals weak?	I cannot receive you. I receive you badly
QRK	What is the readability of my (his) signals?	Your (His) readability is (1)unreadable to (5)perfect
QRL	Is this frequency busy?	This frequency is in use
QRM	Are you being interfered with?	I am interfered with
QRN	Are you troubled by static?	I am being troubled with static
QRO	Must I increase power?	I increase power
QRP	Can I decrease power?	I decrease power
QRQ	Shall I send faster?	Send faster ------- WPM
QRS	Shall I send slower?	Send slower ------- WPM
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
QRX	When will you call me again?	I will call you again at ------
QRZ	Who is calling me?	You are being called by ----
QSA	What is the strength of my (his) signals?	Your (His) strength is (1)barely perceptible - (5)very good
QSB	Are my signals fading?	Your signals are fading
QSL	Can you acknowledge receipt?	I acknowledge receipt
QSO	Can you communicate with -------?	I can communicate with -------
QSP	Will you relay to -------?	I will relay to -------
QST		Calling all radio amateurs
QSV	Shall I send a series of V's?	Send a series of V's
QSX	Will you listen to ------- on --------- kHz?	I am listening to ------- on -----------
QSY	Shall I change frequency?	Change frequency to ----------
QSZ	Shall I send each word twice?	Send each word twice
QTH	What is your location?	My location is -----
QTR	What is the time?	The time is ---------