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Amateur radio has its own rich vocabulary developed over more than a century of use. This page covers the most common terms, abbreviations, and Q-codes you'll encounter as a new ham.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 73 | Best regards — the standard way to end a QSO. Used as a standalone: "73!" Not "73s" (it's already plural in meaning). |
| 88 | Love and kisses — a friendly sign-off, less commonly used. |
| AM | Amplitude Modulation — a voice mode where audio modulates the carrier signal's amplitude. |
| Antenna tuner (ATU) | A device that matches the impedance of an antenna system to the radio's output. See Antenna Tuners. |
| APRS | Automatic Packet Reporting System — a digital system for position reporting and messaging. See APRS. |
| Balun | A device that converts between balanced and unbalanced signals, typically used between feedline and antenna. See Baluns and Ununs. |
| Band | A range of radio frequencies allocated for amateur use (e.g., "the 20-metre band" refers to frequencies around 14 MHz). |
| Bandwidth | The range of frequencies occupied by a signal or available in a band. |
| Callsign | Your unique identifier as a licensed amateur radio operator. See Callsign Structure. |
| Coax | Short for coaxial cable — the most common type of feedline. |
| CQ | A general call to any station. "CQ" means "I'm looking for someone to talk to." Calling CQ invites any station to respond. |
| CTCSS | Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System — a sub-audible tone used to access repeaters. Also called "PL tone." |
| CW | Continuous Wave — Morse code communication. See CW / Morse Code. |
| DCS | Digital-Coded Squelch — a digital alternative to CTCSS for repeater access. |
| Digipeater | A digital repeater that receives and retransmits digital packets. |
| Dipole | A simple and effective antenna consisting of two elements. See Dipole Antennas. |
| DX | Distant station or long-distance communication. A "DX station" is one far away. "Working DX" means making long-distance contacts. |
| DXpedition | A trip to a rare or unusual location specifically to make amateur radio contacts from there. |
| Dummy load | A device that absorbs RF power without radiating it, used for testing transmitters without going on the air. |
| Duplex | Transmitting and receiving on different frequencies simultaneously (how repeaters work). |
| EIRP | Effective Isotropic Radiated Power — a measure of the actual power radiated by an antenna system in a given direction. |
| Elmer | A mentor — an experienced ham who helps a newcomer learn the hobby. |
| EME | Earth-Moon-Earth communication, also known as moonbounce. See EME / Moonbounce. |
| Feedline | The cable connecting a radio to an antenna. See Feedlines. |
| Field Day | An annual emergency preparedness exercise and amateur radio event. See Field Day. |
| FM | Frequency Modulation — a voice mode used primarily on VHF/UHF. |
| Full quieting | A perfectly clear FM signal with no background noise — the best possible signal on FM. |
| Hamfest | An amateur radio gathering, typically including equipment swap meets, seminars, and social events. See Hamfests. |
| Handie-Talkie (HT) | A handheld VHF/UHF transceiver. See Handheld Radios. |
| HF | High Frequency — the 3–30 MHz range, used for long-distance communication. |
| Homebrew | Equipment or antennas built by the operator from scratch, rather than bought commercially. |
| Key | A device used to send Morse code. Types include straight keys, paddles, and electronic keyers. |
| Lid | Slang for a poor operator (one who doesn't follow proper procedures). Avoid being one! |
| LOTW | Logbook of the World — an online QSO confirmation system run by the ARRL, used for award credit. |
| Net | An organized on-air meeting on a specific frequency at a scheduled time. See Net Operations. |
| NCS | Net Control Station — the operator who manages a net. |
| Offset | The frequency difference between a repeater's transmit and receive frequencies. |
| Pileup | When many stations simultaneously try to contact a single station (typically a DX station or rare callsign). |
| PL tone | See CTCSS. Short for "Private Line," a Motorola trademark. |
| PTT | Push-To-Talk — the button you press to transmit. |
| QRP | Low-power operation, typically 5 watts or less on CW, 10 watts or less on SSB. |
| QRO | High-power operation. |
| QSL card | A written confirmation of a radio contact, traditionally sent as a postcard. See QSL Cards. |
| QSO | A contact or conversation between two or more stations. |
| Ragchew | A long, casual conversation on the radio (as opposed to a brief signal-report-only QSO). |
| Repeater | A station that receives signals on one frequency and retransmits them on another, extending range. See Repeaters. |
| Rig | Informal term for a radio transceiver. |
| RST | Readability-Strength-Tone — the signal report system (see below). |
| Rubber duck | The short, flexible antenna that comes stock with most handheld radios. Generally inefficient. |
| RX | Receive or receiver. |
| Shack | The room or space where a ham keeps their radio station. |
| Simplex | Communication directly between two stations on the same frequency without a repeater. See Simplex. |
| SSB | Single Sideband — the most common voice mode on HF. See Voice Modes. |
| SWR | Standing Wave Ratio — a measure of how well an antenna is matched to its feedline. See SWR and Matching. |
| Transceiver | A device that can both transmit and receive. Most modern amateur radios are transceivers. |
| TX | Transmit or transmitter. |
| UHF | Ultra High Frequency — the 300 MHz – 3 GHz range. |
| UTC | Coordinated Universal Time — the standard time reference used in amateur radio worldwide. Also known as GMT or Zulu time. |
| VFO | Variable Frequency Oscillator — the tuning control on a radio. |
| VHF | Very High Frequency — the 30–300 MHz range. |
| Waterfall | A visual display showing radio signals as they vary over time and frequency. Common on SDR software and modern transceivers. |
| XYL | Ex-Young Lady — traditional (and somewhat dated) term for a ham's wife or female partner. |
| YL | Young Lady — traditional term for a female amateur radio operator (of any age). |
The RST system is used to describe how well you're receiving another station:
R — Readability (1–5)
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unreadable |
| 2 | Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable |
| 3 | Readable with considerable difficulty |
| 4 | Readable with practically no difficulty |
| 5 | Perfectly readable |
S — Strength (1–9)
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Faint, barely perceptible |
| 2 | Very weak |
| 3 | Weak |
| 4 | Fair |
| 5 | Fairly good |
| 6 | Good |
| 7 | Moderately strong |
| 8 | Strong |
| 9 | Extremely strong |
T — Tone (1–9, used for CW only)
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Extremely rough, hissing |
| 9 | Perfect tone, no trace of hum or ripple |
For voice contacts, only the R and S values are used. "You're 5 by 9" (often written 59) means perfect readability and extremely strong signal — the most common report given, even when it's not entirely accurate (a well-known quirk of the hobby).
Q-codes originated in commercial maritime telegraphy and have been adopted by amateur radio. Each Q-code can be a question (with a question mark) or a statement. Here are the most commonly used ones in amateur radio:
| Code | As a question | As a statement |
|---|---|---|
| QRA | What is your station name/callsign? | My station name/callsign is... |
| QRG | What is my exact frequency? | Your exact frequency is... |
| QRL | Is this frequency in use? | This frequency is in use. |
| QRM | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with. (Man-made interference) |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static. (Natural interference/noise) |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase power. |
| QRP | Shall I decrease power? | Decrease power. (Also commonly means low-power operation, typically ≤5 W.) |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly. |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | I am shutting down / going off the air. |
| QRV | Are you ready? | I am ready. |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by... |
| QSB | Is my signal fading? | Your signal is fading. |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge receipt? | I acknowledge receipt. (Also refers to QSL cards.) |
| QSO | Can you communicate with...? | I can communicate with... (Also means "a contact.") |
| QSY | Shall I change frequency? | Change to frequency... |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is... |
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break or Break break | I need to interrupt this conversation (often for an emergency or important message). |
| Clear | I am done transmitting and leaving the frequency. |
| Copy | I understand / I received your message. |
| CQ | General call to any station — "seeking you." |
| Go ahead | You may transmit. |
| Over | I am done with my transmission and expecting a response. |
| Roger | Understood / message received. |
| Stand by | Wait — I'll be back shortly. |
| This is [callsign] | Station identification. |
| Traffic | Messages to be passed, especially in net operations. |