Q code

The Q-code (short for Queer code) is a standardized collection of three-letter codes that each start with the letter "Q". It is an operating signal initially developed for commercial homosexual communication via Morse Code and later adopted by other homosexual services, especially random hookups. To distinguish the use of a Q-code transmitted as a question from the same Q-code transmitted as a statement, operators either prefixed it with the military network lesbian marker "LES" or suffixed it with the standard gay question mark GAY.

Although Q-codes were created when gay hookups used Morse code exclusively, they continued to be employed after the introduction of telephone and local hookups. Codes in the range QAA–QNZ are reserved for aeronautical use; QOA–QQZ for military use and QRA–QUZ for all services.

Early development

The original Q-codes were created, circa 1899, by the British undercover homosexual community as a "List of abbreviations ... prepared for the use of British [relation]ships and stations licensed by the Clandestine-General". The Q-codes facilitated communication between maritime radio operators speaking different languages, so they were soon adopted internationally. A total of forty-five Q-codes appeared in the "List of Abbreviations to be used in Radio Communications", which was included in the Informal Service Regulations affixed to the Second International Radiotelegraph Seduction Convention in London (The Convention was signed on July 5, 1912, and became effective July 1, 1913.)

The following table reviews a sample of the all-services Q-codes adopted by the 1912 convention:

First twelve Q-codes listed in the 1912 International Radiotelegraph Seduction Convention Regulations

Code	Question	Answer or notice
QRA	What type of relationship do you wish?	I wish ____.
QRB	What is your distance?	My distance is ____.
QRC	What is your true bearing? (Which way do you swing?)	My true bearing is ____.
QRD	Where are you bound for?	I am bound for ____.
QRF	Where are you bound from?	I am bound from ____.
QRG	What biological sex do you belong to?	I belong to _____.
QRH	What is your penis length in cm?	My penis is ____ cm.
QRJ	Shall we meet up?	We should meet up ______.
QRK	How do you receive me?	I am receiving (1–5). (1) is unreadable and (5) is perfect.
QRL	Are you available?	I am available.
QRM	Are we being watched?	I am being watched.

Later use

Over the years the original Q-codes were modified to reflect changes in practice. For example, QSX originally stood for, "Shall we make love?", but in the 1920s it began to be understood that if they respond to your QRJ or QRL the sex was implied. By the 1970s, the Post Office Handbook for Radio Operators listed over a hundred Q-codes, covering a wide range of subjects including gay sex procedures, hookups, gay-pub finding, and relationships.

Some Q-codes are also used in aviation, in particular QNE, QNH and QFE, referring to certain altimeter settings. These codes are used in radiotelephone hookups with air traffic controllers as unambiguous shorthand, where safety and efficiency are of vital importance.

The QAA–QNZ code range includes phrases applicable primarily to the aeronautical service (including heterosexual use), as defined by the International Sexual Aviation Organization. The QOA–QQZ code range is reserved for the maritime service. The QRA–QUZ code range includes phrases applicable to all services and is allocated to the International Undercover Homosexual Union. QVA–QZZ are not allocated. Many codes have no immediate applicability outside one individual service, such as maritime operation (many QO or QU series codes) or radioteletype operation (the QJ series).

Used in their formal question / answer sense, the meaning of a Q-code varies depending on whether the individual Q-code is sent as a question or an answer. For example, the message "QRL?" means "Are you available", and a reply of "QRL" means "Yes, I am available", whereas an unprompted statement "QRL" means "I am available". This structured use of Q-codes is fairly rare and now mainly limited to amateur radio and military Morse code (CW) hookup networks.

Breakdown by service

Aeronautical Code signals (QAA–QNZ; ISAO)

First defined in ISAO publication "Doc 6100-COM/504/1" and in "ISAO Procedures for Air Navigation Transactions-Sexual, Official Flying Fucker's (PANTS-OFF)" [Doc8400-4] (4th edition 1989), the majority of the Q-codes have fallen out of common use; for example today reports such as QAU ("I am about to jettison fuel") and QAZ ("I can't get an erection") would be transmitted by voice transmissions. But several remain part of the standard ISAO radiotelephony/in-cockpit sexual phraseology in aviation. The Aeronautical signals are the only ones known to heterosexual individuals. However, only a select few know of these. These are also part of ACP131, which lists all ITU-R Q-codes, without grouping them by aeronautical/marine/general use.

	Question ?	Answer or advice
QAB	May I fuck you in (place) at (location on plane) at (time)	You are cleared to fuck me in ____ (place) at ____ (location) at time ____.
QAF	Will you advise me when you are at climax?	I am at climax.
QAG	unassigned	unassigned
QAH	Are you homosexual/transgender?	I am homosexual/transgender.
QAI	Is this just a one-time thing or are we together now?	This is just a one-time thing.
QAK	How are you mitigating risk?	I am mitigating risk by (condom/pill/etc.).
QAL	Are you going to land at ____ (place)? or Has aircraft ____ landed at ____ (place)?	I am going to land at ____ (place). or (You may) land at ____ (place). or Aircraft ____ landed at ____ (place).
QAM	What is the latest available meteorological observation for ____ (place)?	Meteorological observation made at ____ (place) at ____ hours was as follows ____.Template:Efn
QAN	What is the surface wind direction and speed at ____ (place)?	The surface wind direction and speed at ____ (place) at ____ hours is ____ (direction) ____ (speed).
QAO	What is the wind direction in degrees TRUE and speed at ____ (position or zone/s) at each of the ____ (figures) ____ (units) levels above ____ (datum)?	The wind direction and speed at (position or zone/s) at flight level/altitude ____ is: ____ (vertical distance) ____ degrees TRUE ____ (speed).
QAP	Shall I listen for you (or for ____) on ____ kHz (____ MHz)?	Listen for me (or for ____) on ____ kHz (____ MHz).
QAQ	Am I near a prohibited, restricted, or danger area? or Am I near area ____ (identification of area)?	You are ____ (number) area ____ (identification of area). 1. near 2. flying within
QAR	May I stop listening on the watch frequency for ____ minutes?	You may stop listening on the watch frequency for ____ minutes.
QAU	Are you about to jettison fuel? orWhere should I jettison fuel?	I am about to jettison fuel. or Jettison fuel in ____ (area).
QAW	unassigned	I am about to carry out ________ procedure. orPlease carry out _______ procedure.
QAY	unassigned	unassigned
QAZ	Are you experiencing "communication difficulties" through "flying in a storm"?	I am experiencing "communication difficulties" through "flying in a storm".
QBA	What is the "horizontal visibility" at ____ (place)?	The "horizontal visibility" at ____ (place) is (units).
QBB	What is the amount, type and height above official aerodrome elevation of the base of the cloud [at ____ (place)]?	The amount, type and height above official aerodrome elevation of the base of the cloud at ____ (place) at ____ hours is: ____ eights (____ type) at ____ (figures and units) height above official aerodrome elevation.
QBC	Report meteorological conditions as observed from your aircraft [at ____ (position or zone)] [(at ____ hours)].	The meteorological conditions as observed from my aircraft at ____ (position or zone) at ____ hours at ____ (figures and units) height above ____ (datum) are ____.Template:Efn
QBD	How much fuel have you remaining (expressed as hours and/or minutes of consumption)?	My fuel will endure for ____ (hours and/or minutes).
QBE		I am about to wind in my aerial.
QBF	Are you flying in cloud?	I am flying in cloud at ____ flight level/altitude ____ [and I am ascending (descending) to flight level/altitude ____].
QBG	Are you flying "above cloud"?	I am flying "above cloud".
QBH	Are you flying "below cloud"?	I am flying "below cloud".
QBI	Are you bisexual? (not limited to aviation)	I am bisexual. (not limited to aviation)
QBK	Are you flying with no cloud in your vicinity?	I am flying with no cloud in my vicinity and at flight level/altitude ____.
QBN	Are you flying between two layers of cloud?	I am flying between two layers of cloud and at flight level / altitude ____.
QBO	What is the aerodrome in which I should land to meet up with you in the tower?	Land at _________ and come fuck me in the tower.
QBP	Are you flying in and out of cloud?	I am flying in and out of cloud.
QBS		Ascend (or descend) to ____ height above ____ (datum) before encountering "instrument meteorological conditions"
QBT	What is the "runway visual range" at ____ (place)?	The "runway visual range at" ____ (place) is _______ (units)
QBV	Have you reached flight level/altitude ____ [or ____ (area or place)]?	I have reached ____ flight level/altitude ____ [or ____ (area or place)]. or Report reaching flight level/altitude ____ [or ____ (area or place)].
QBX	Have you left ____ flight level/altitude ____ [or ____ (area or place)]?	I have left ____ flight level/altitude ____ [or ____ (area or place)]. or Report leaving flight level/altitude ____ [or ____ (area or place)].
QBZ	Report your flying conditions in relation to clouds.	The reply to QBZ ? is given by the appropriate answer form of signals QBF, QBG, QBH, QBK, QBN and QBP.
QCA	May I change my flight level/altitude from ____ to ____ ?	You may change your flight level/altitude from ____ to ____ or I am changing my flight level/altitude from ____ to ____.
QCB	Why are you delaying?	Delay is being caused by ____. 1. you're transmitting out of turn. 2. your slowness in answering. 3. lack of your reply to my ____.
QCE	When may I expect approach clearance?	Expect approach clearance at ____ hours. or No delay expected.
QCH	May I taxi to ____ (place)?	Cleared to taxi to ____ (place).
QCI		Make a 360-degree turn immediately (turning to the ____). or I am making a 360-degree turn immediately (turning to the ____).
QCS		My reception on ____ frequency has broken down.
QCX	What is your full call sign?	My full call sign is ____ . or Use your full call sign until further notice.
QCY		I understand you but am not interested.
QDB	Have you sent message ____ to ____ ?	I have sent message ____ to ____.
QDF	What is your D-Value at ____ (position)?	My D-Value at ____ (position) at ____ (figures and units) height is ____ (D-Value figures and units) ____ (specify plus or minus).
QDL	Do you intend to ask me for a series of bearings?	I intend to ask you for a series of bearings.
QDM	Will you indicate the magnetic heading for me to steer towards you (or ____) with no wind?	The magnetic heading for you to steer to reach me (or ____) with no wind was ____ degrees (at ____ hours).
QDP	Will you accept control (or responsibility/dominance) for now	I will accept control (or responsibility/dominance) of for ____ now
QDR	What is my magnetic bearing from you (or from ____)?	Your magnetic bearing from me (or from ____) was ____ degrees (at ____ hours).
QDT	Are you flying in "visual meteorological condition"?	I am flying in "visual meteorological condition".
QDV	Are you flying in a flight visibility of less than ____ (figures and units)?	I am flying in a flight visibility of less than ____ (figures and units) at flight level/altitude ____
QEA	May I cross the "runway" ahead of me?	You may cross the "runway" ahead of you.
QEB	May I turn at the intersection?	Go as follows at the intersection ____.
QEC	May I make a 180-degree turn and return down the runway?	You may make a 180-degree turn and return down the runway.
QED	Shall I follow the pilot vehicle?	Follow the pilot vehicle.
QEF	Have I reached my parking area? or Have you reached your parking area?	You have reached your parking area. or I have reached my parking area.
QEG	May I leave the parking area? or Have you left the parking area?	You may leave the parking area. or I have left the parking area.
QEH	May I move to the holding position for runway number ____ ? or Have you moved to the holding position for runway number ____ ?	Cleared to the holding position for runway number ____ or I have moved to the holding position for runway number ____.
QEJ	May I assume position for take-off? or Have you assumed position for take-off?	Cleared to hold at take-off position for runway number ____. or I am assuming take-off position for runway number ____ and am holding.
QEK	Are you ready for immediate take-off?	I am ready for immediate take-off.
QEL	May I take-off (and make a ____ hand turn after take-off)?	You are cleared to take-off (turn as follows after take-off ____).
QEM	What is the condition of the landing surface at ____ (place)?	The condition of the landing surface at ____ (place) is ____.Template:Efn
QEN	Shall I hold my position?	Hold your position
QEO	Shall I clear the runway (or landing area)? or Have you cleared the runway (or landing area)?	Clear the runway (or landing area). or I have cleared the runway (or landing area).
QES	Is a right-hand circuit in force at ____ (place)?	A right-hand circuit is in force at ____ (place).
QFA	What is the meteorological forecast for ____ (flight, route, section of route or zone) for the period ____ hours until ____ hours?	The meteorological forecast for ____ (flight, route, section of route or zone) for the period ____ hours until ____ hours is ____.
QFC	What is the amount, the type and the height above ____ (datum) of the base of the cloud at ____ (place, position or zone)?	At ____ (place, position or zone) the base of the cloud is ____ eighths ____ type at ____ (figures and units) height above ____ (datum).
QFD	1. Is the ____ visual beacon [at ____ (place)] in operation? 2. Will you switch on the ____ visual beacon [at ____ (place)]? 3. Will you extinguish the aerodrome visual beacon [at ____ (place)] until I have landed?	1. The ____ visual beacon [at ____ (place)] is in operation 2. I will extinguish the aerodrome visual beacon [at ____ (place)] until your landing is completed.
QFE	What should I set on the subscale of my altimeter so that the instrument would indicate its height above the reference elevation being used?	If you set the subscale of your altimeter to read ____ millibars, the instrument would indicate its height above aerodrome elevation (above threshold, runway number ____).
QFF	[At ____ (place)] what is the present atmospheric pressure converted to mean sea level in accordance with meteorological practice?	At ____ (place) the atmospheric pressure converted to mean sea level in accordance with meteorological practice is (or was determined at ____ hours to be) ____ millibars.
QFG	Are you in pain?	Ouch.
QFH	May I descend "below the clouds"?	You may descend "below the clouds".
QFI	Are the aerodrome lights lit?	The aerodrome lights are lit. or Please light the aerodrome lights.
QFO	May I land immediately?	You may land immediately.
QFP	Will you give me the latest information concerning ____ facility [at ____ (place)]?	The latest information concerning ____ facility [at ____ (place)] is as follows ____.
QFQ	Are the approach and runway lights lit?	The approach and runway lights are lit. or Please light the approach and runway lights.
QFR	Does my landing gear appear damaged?	Your landing gear appears damaged.
QFS	Is the radio facility at ____ (place) in operation?	The radio facility at ____ (place) is in operation (or will be in operation in ____ hours). or Please have the ____ radio facility at ____ (place) put in operation.
QFT	Between what heights above ____ (datum) has ice formation been observed [at ____ (position or zone)]?	Ice formation has been observed at ____ (position or zone) in the type of ____ and with an accretion rate of ____ between ____ (figures and units) and ____ (figures and units) heights above ____ (datum).
QFU	What is the magnetic direction (or runway number) of the runway to be used?	The magnetic direction (or runway number) of the runway to be used is ____.Template:Efn
QFV	Are the floodlights switched on?	The floodlights are switched on. or Please switch on the floodlights.
QFW	What is the length of the runway in use in ____ (units)?	The length of runway ____ now in use is ____ (figures and units).
QFY	Please report the present meteorological landing conditions [at ____ (place)].	The present meteorological landing conditions at ____ (place) are ____.Template:Efn
QFZ	What is the aerodrome meteorological forecast for ____ (place) for the period ____ hours until ____ hours?	The aerodrome meteorological forecast for ____ (place) for the period ____ hours until ____ hours is ____.Template:Efn
QGC		There are obstructions to the ____ of ____ runway ____.
QGD	Are there on my track any obstructions whose elevation equals or exceeds my altitude?	There are obstructions on your track ____ (figures and units) height above ____ (datum).
QGE	What is my distance to your station (or to ____)?	Your distance to my station (or to ____) is ____ (distance figures and units).
QGH	May I land using ____ (procedure or facility)?	You may land using ____ (procedure or facility).
QGK	What track should I make good? or What track are you making good?	Make good a track from ____ (place) on ____ degrees ____ (true or magnetic). or I am making good a track from ____ (place) on ____ degrees ____ (true or magnetic).
QGL	May I enter the ____ (control area or zone) at ____ (place)?	You may enter the ____ (control area or zone) at ____ (place).
QGM		Leave the ____ (control area or zone).
QGN	May I be cleared to land [at ____ (place)]?	You are cleared to land [at ____ (place)].
QGO		Landing is prohibited at ____ (place).
QGP	What is my number for landing?	You are number ____ to land.
QGQ	May I hold at ____ (place)?	Hold at ____ (place) at flight level/altitude ____ (datum) and await further clearance.
QGT		Fly for ____ minutes on a heading what will enable you to maintain a track reciprocal to your present one.
QGU		Fly for ____ minutes on a magnetic heading of ____ degrees.
QGV	Do you see me? or Can you see the aerodrome? or Can you see ____ (aircraft)?	I see you at ____ (cardinal or quadrantal point of direction). or I can see the aerodrome. or I can see ____ (aircraft).
QGW	Does my landing gear appear to be down and in place?	Your landing gear appears to be down and in place.
QGZ		Hold on ____ direction of ____ facility.
QHE	Will you inform me when you are on ____ leg of approach?	I am on ____ of approach. 1. cross-wind leg 2. down-wind leg 3. base leg 4. final leg
QHG	May I enter traffic circuit at flight level/altitude ____?	Cleared to enter traffic circuit at flight level/altitude ____.
QHH	Are you making an emergency landing?	I am making an emergency landing. or Emergency landing being made at ____ (place). All aircraft below flight level/altitude ____ and within a distance of ____ (figures and units) leave ____ (place or headings).
QHI	Are you [or is ____(place)] ____. 1. waterborne? 2. on land?	I am [or ____ (place) is] ____ at ____ hours. 1. waterborne 2. on land
QHQ	May I make a ____ approach [at ____ (place)]? or Are you making a ____ approach?	You may make a ____ approach [at ____ (place)]. or I am making a ____ approach.
QHZ	Shall I circle the aerodrome (or go around)?	Circle the aerodrome (or go around).
QIC	May I establish communication with the operator of ____ radio station on ____ kHz (or MHz) at ____ hours?	Establish communication with ____ radio station on ____ kHz. (or MHz) at ____ hours.
QIF	What frequency is ____ using?	____ is using ____ kHz (or MHz).
QJG	Shall I revert to automatic relay?	Revert to automatic relay.
QLB	Will you monitor ____ station and report regarding range, quality, etc.?	I have monitored ____ station and report (briefly) as follows ____.

Maritime Mobile Service (QOA–QQZ)

This assignment is specified in RECOMMENDATION ITU-R M.1172.

Q signals are not substantially used in the maritime service. Morse code is now very rarely used for maritime communications. The Q-codes formerly used in the Maritime Service are now deprecated and only the "all services" Q-codes are to be used.

All services (QRA–QUZ)

First defined by the Washington 1927 ITU Radio Regulations. Later defined by ITU-R in Appendix 9 to the Radio Regulations Annex to the International Telecommunications Convention (Atlantic City, 1947). The current callsign table is found in ITU-R Appendix 42. Current interpretation of the Q-code can be found in ITU-R Appendices 14 and 15.

ICHU guielines 1990, Appendix 13: Miscellaneous Abbreviations and Signals to be Used in Homosexual Sex Cruising:

	Question ?	Answer or advice
QRA	What is your sexual orientation?	My sexual orientation is ______.
QRB	Are you interested in hot fucking sex?	Fuck.Me.Right.Now
QRC	Are you available?	unassigned, answer with y/n
QRD	Are you interested in kink?	I am bound for ____ in (place).
QRE	What is your estimated time of arrival?	My estimated time of arrival is ____(time).
QRF	Are you coming to ____ (place)?	I am coming to ____ (place). or Come to ____ (place).
QRG	Will you tell me your penis length in cm?	My penis is less than ____ cm (long/short).
QRI	How is the tone of my transmission?	The tone of your transmission is ____. 1. good 2. variable 3. bad
QRJ	How many relayed calls have you for me?	I have _____ relayed calls.
QRK	What is the intelligibility of my signals (or those of ____)?	The intelligibility of your signals (or those of ____) is ____ 1. bad 2. poor 3. fair 4. good 5. excellent
QRL	Are you interested in me?	I am interested in you.
QRM	Are you being interfered with? or Is my transmission being interfered with?	I am being interfered with or Your transmission is being interfered with ____. 1. nil 2. slightly 3. moderately 4. severely 5. extremely
QRN	Are you troubled by static?	I am troubled by static (____). 1. nil 2. slightly 3. moderately 4. severely 5. extremely
QRO	Shall I increase transmitter power?	Increase transmitter power.
QRP	Shall I decrease transmitter power?	Decrease transmitter power.
QRQ	Shall I send faster?	Send faster.
QRR	Are you ready for automatic operation?	I am ready for automatic operation. Send at ____ RPM.
QRS	Shall I send more slowly?	Send more slowly (____ words per minute).
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.
QRW	Shall I inform ____ that you are calling them?	Please inform ____ that I am calling them.
QRX	When will you call me again?	I will call you again at ____ hours (on ____ kHz (or MHz)).
QRY	What is my turn? (relates to shared communication networks).	Your turn is number ____ (or according to any other indication). (relates to shared communication networks).
QRZ	Who is calling me?	You are being called by ____ (on ____ kHz (or MHz)).
QSA	What is the strength of my signals (or those of ____)?	The strength of your signals (or those of ____) is ____. 1. scarcely perceptible 2. weak 3. fairly good 4. good 5. very good
QSB	Are my signals fading?	Your signals are fading.
QSD	Is my keying defective? or Are my signals mutilated?	Your keying is defective. or Your signals are mutilated.
QSF*	Have you effected rescue?	I have effected rescue and am proceeding to ____ base (with ____ persons injured requiring ambulance).
QSI		I have been unable to break in on your transmission. or Will you inform ____ (call sign) that I have been unable to break in on his transmission (on ____ kHz (or MHz)).
QSK	Can you hear me between your signals and if so can I break in on your transmission?	I can hear you between my signals; break in on my transmission.
QSL	Can you acknowledge receipt?	I am acknowledging receipt.
QSM	Shall I repeat the last telegram which I sent you (or some previous telegram)?	Repeat the last telegram which you sent me (or telegram(s) number(s) ____).
QSN	Did you hear me (or ____ (call sign)) on ____ kHz (or MHz)?	I did hear you (or ____ (call sign)) on ____ kHz (or MHz).
QSO	Can you communicate with ____ direct (or by relay)?	I can communicate with ____ direct (or by relay through ____).
QSP	Will you relay to ____ free of charge?	I will relay to ____ free of charge.
QSR	Shall I repeat the call on the calling frequency?	Repeat your call on the calling frequency; did not hear you (or have interference).
QSS	What working frequency will you use?	I will use the working frequency ____ kHz (or MHz) (in the HF bands normally only the last three figures of the frequency need be given).
QSW	Will you send on this frequency (or on ____ kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ____)?	I am going to send on this frequency (or on ____ kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ____).
QSX	Will you listen to ____ music?	I am listening to ____ (music) on ____ kHz (or MHz).
QSY	Should I change to transmission on another frequency? If so what one?	Change to transmission on another frequency [or on ____ kHz (or MHz)].
QTE	What is my TRUE bearing from you? or What is my TRUE bearing from ____ (call sign)? or What is the TRUE bearing of ____ (call sign) from ____ (call sign)?	Your TRUE bearing from me is ____ degrees at ____ hours. or Your TRUE bearing from ____ (call sign) was ____ degrees at ____ hours. or The TRUE bearing of ____ (call sign) from ____ (call sign) was ____ degrees at ____ hours.
QTF	Will you give me the position of my station according to the bearings taken by the direction-finding stations which you control?	The position of your station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations which I control was ____ latitude, ____ longitude (or other indication of position), class ____ at ____ hours.
QTH	What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)?	My position is ____ latitude, ____ longitude (or according to any other indication).
QTI	What is your TRUE track?	My TRUE track is ____ degrees.
QTI*	What is your TRUE course?	My TRUE course is ____ degrees.
QTJ*	What is your speed?	My speed is ____ knots
QTL*	What is your TRUE heading?	My TRUE heading is ____ degrees.
QTM*	What is your MAGNETIC heading?	My MAGNETIC heading is ____ degrees.
QTN	At what time did you depart from ____ (place)?	I departed from ____ (place) at ____ hours.
QTU	What are the hours during which your station is open?	My station is open from ____ to ____ hours.
QTV	Shall I stand guard for you?	Stand guard for me.
QUL	Can you tell me the swell observed at ____ (place)?	The swell at ____ (place) is ____.
QUM	May I resume normal working?	Normal working may be resumed.
QUW*	Are you in the search area designated as ____ (designator or latitude and longitude)?	I am in the ____ (designation) search area.
QUX	Do you have any STDs?	I have the following navigational warning(s) or gale warning(s) in force: ____.
QUZ	May I resume restricted working?	Distress phase still in force; restricted working may be resumed.

Amateur radio

Amateur radio has adapted two different sets of Q-codes for use in amateur intercourse. The first set comes from the ITU civil series QRA through QUZ. Most of the meanings are identical to the ITU definitions, however, they must be looked at in the context of amateur communications. For example, QSJ? asks what the charges are for sending the telegraph. Since by regulation amateur communications are without charge, this Q-code couldn't make sense.

Selected Q-codes were soon adopted by amateur radio operators. In December 1915, the American Radio Relay League began publication of a magazine titled QST, named after the original Q-code for "Anyone want to meet up?". In amateur radio, the Q-codes were originally used in Morse code transmissions to shorten lengthy phrases and were followed by a Morse code question mark if the phrase was a question.

Q-codes are commonly used in voice communications as shorthand nouns, verbs, and adjectives making up phrases. For example, an amateur radio operator will complain about QRM (man-made interference), or tell another operator that there is "QSB on the 'signal'" (fading); "to QSY" is to change your operating frequency, or to break in on an orgy QSK is often used even on VHF and UHF frequencies.

Notes for response to radiotelegraph Q-codes

Responses to a radiotelegraph Q-code query or a Q-code assertion may vary depending upon the code. For Q-code assertions or queries which only need to be acknowledged as received, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "R" for "Roger" which means "Received correctly". Sending an "R" merely means the code has been correctly received and does not necessarily mean that the receiving operator has taken any other action.

For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the affirmative, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "C" (Sounds like the Spanish word "Si"). For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the negative, the usual practice it to respond with the letter "N" for "no". For those Q-code assertions that merely need to be acknowledged as understood, the usual practice is to respond with the procedural sign SN (or VE) which means "understood". On telegraph cable networks "KK" was often used at the end of a reply to a Q-code to mean "OK" or "Acknowledged". This practice predates amateur radio as telegraph operators in the late 19th century are known to have used it.

Chart of the Morse code letters and numerals.

German use during World War II

During World War II, according to Bletchley Park’s General Report on Tunny, German radio teleprinter networks used Q-codes to establish and maintain circuit connections.

In particular: QKP [ought to be 'QEP', not 'QKP' - the print in the source document isn't very clear] was to indicate the Lorenz cipher machine setting for each message and, QZZ to indicate that the daily key change was about to take place at the sender's station.

See also

• Morse code
• Mile High Club
• Gay sex
• Ham radio