How do operators say a lot with very little?
Radio operators use short codes, a signal-report system and a standard way of spelling letters.
Q signals
Q signals such as QRZ, QRS and QTH are meant primarily for CW contacts.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CQ | Calling any station |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? |
| QTH | My location is... (QTH? means What is your location?) |
| QRS | Send more slowly (QRS? means Shall I send more slowly?) |
The RST system
The RST system reports signal quality. The letters are:
- R = readability,
- S = signal strength,
- T = tone.
The best possible report is 599.
The phonetic alphabet
The International Phonetic Alphabet exists to clearly transmit call signs or other information.
The ITU/NATO alphabet is: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.
Two examples from the tutorial:
Likewise, UZ4SU is Uniform Zulu Four Sierra Uniform.
The microphone
Hold the microphone about four inches from your mouth and speak in a normal conversational tone. Do not shout.
You now know
- CQ calls any station, QRZ asks who is calling, QTH is location and QRS is "send slower".
- RST means readability, strength and tone; the best report is 599.
- The phonetic alphabet is for clearly transmitting call signs, such as 5Z4RS: Five Zulu Four Romeo Sierra.
- Hold the microphone about four inches away and speak normally.