Common Morse Code Abbreviations

Essential abbreviations for amateur radio and efficient communication

Common Abbreviations

73--... ...--

Best wishes

88---..- ----..

Love and kisses

SOS... --- ...

International distress signal

CQ-.-. --.-

Calling any station

QTH--.- - ....

What is your location?

QSL--.- ... .-..

I acknowledge receipt

QRZ--.- .-. --..

Who is calling me?

QRT--.- .-. -

Stop sending

QRX--.- .-. -..-

Please wait

QSY--.- ... -.--

Change frequency

QRM--.- .-. --

Interference

QRN--.- .-. -.

Static interference

QSB--.- ... -...

Signal strength varies

QTC--.- - -.-.

I have a message to send

QTR--.- - .-.

What time is it?

AR.- .-.

End of message

AS.- ...

Wait/Stand by

K-.-

Go ahead/Over

KN-.- -.

Go ahead (specific station only)

SK... -.-

End of work/Clear

BT-... -

Break/Separator

OK--- -.-

Okay/Yes

TU- ..-

Thank you

OM--- --

Old man (fellow ham)

YL-.-- .-..

Young lady

XYL-..- -.-- .-..

Wife (ex-young lady)

FB..-. -...

Fine business (excellent)

HI.... ..

Laughter

ES. ...

And

DE-.. .

From/This is

TNX- -. -..-

Thanks

WX.-- -..-

Weather

HR.... .-.

Here

UR..- .-.

Your/You are

RST.-. ... -

Signal report

PSE.--. ... .

Please

CUL-.-. ..- .-..

See you later

BCNU-... -.-. -. ..-

Be seeing you

GM--. --

Good morning

GA--. .-

Good afternoon

GE--. .

Good evening

GN--. -.

Good night

WPM.-- .--. --

Words per minute

AGN.- --. -.

Again

NIL-. .. .-..

Nothing/Zero

R.-.

Received/Roger

C-.-.

Correct/Yes

N-.

No/Negative

IMI.. -- ..

Repeat/Say again

AA.- .-

All after

AB.- -...

All before

WA.-- .-

Word after

WB.-- -...

Word before

CFM-.-. ..-. --

Confirm

RPT.-. .--. -

Repeat

About Morse Code Abbreviations

•Q-codes (like QTH, QSL) are standardized three-letter codes used in amateur radio
•Prosigns (like AR, SK, BT) are procedural signals that control the flow of communication
•Number codes (73, 88) are traditional ham radio greetings and sign-offs
•SOS (...---...) is the internationally recognized distress signal

Essential Morse Code Emergency Signals and Amateur Radio Abbreviations

Learn the most critical Morse code abbreviations used in emergency communications and amateur radio operations.

Critical Emergency Signals:

Distress & Emergency:

• SOS in Morse code: "...---..." (international distress)
• Transmitted as three dots, three dashes, three dots
• No spaces between letters for emergency

Operational Signals:

• CQ in Morse code: "-.-. --.-" (calling any station)
• QRT in Morse code: "--.- .-. -" (stop sending)
• Used by ham radio operators worldwide

Ham radio operators worldwide rely on these standardized abbreviations for efficient communication during emergencies, contests, and daily operations.

Professional Q-Codes and Ham Radio Prosigns Reference

Our comprehensive collection includes over 50 standard Q-codes and prosigns used by licensed amateur radio operators and maritime communications.

Popular Q-Codes:

• QTH in Morse code: "--.- - ...." ("location?")
• QSL in Morse code: "--.- ... .-.." ("I acknowledge")
• 73 in Morse code: "--... ...--" ("best wishes")

Procedural Signals:

• AR in Morse code: ".- .-.." ("end of message")
• SK in Morse code: "... -.-" ("end of work")
• Used in amateur radio protocols

These time-tested abbreviations have facilitated clear, efficient radio communication for over a century, forming the backbone of international amateur radio protocols and emergency communication systems.