Morse code abbreviations are used to speed up Morse communications by foreshortening textual words and phrases. Morse abbreviations are short forms, representing normal textual words and phrases formed from some (fewer) characters taken from the word or phrase being abbreviated. Many are typical English abbreviations, or short acronyms for often-used phrases.
Morse code abbreviations are not the same as prosigns. Morse abbreviations are composed of (normal) textual alpha-numeric character symbols with normal Morse code inter-character spacing; the character symbols in abbreviations, unlike the delineated character groups representing Morse code prosigns, are not "run together" or concatenated in the way most prosigns are formed.
Although a few abbreviations (such as SX for "dollar") are carried over from former commercial telegraph codes, almost all Morse abbreviations are not commercial codes. From 1845 until well into the second half of the 20th century, commercial telegraphic code books were used to shorten telegrams, e.g. PASCOELA = "Locals have plundered everything from the wreck." [1] However, these cyphers are typically "fake" words six characters long, or more, used for replacing commonly used whole phrases, and are distinct from single-word abbreviations.
The following Table of Morse code abbreviations and further references to Brevity codes such as 92 Code, Q code, Z code, and R-S-T system serve to facilitate fast and efficient Morse code communications.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Defined in | Type of abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | All after (used after question mark to request a repetition) | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| AB | All before (similarly) | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| ADRS | Address | ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | operating signal |
| ADS | Address | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| AGN | Again | operating signal | |
| ANT | Antenna | ||
| AR | End of transmission. | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| AS | Wait | operating signal | |
| BK | Break (to pause transmission of a message, say) | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| BN | All between | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| C | Yes; correct; affirmative | operating signal | |
| CFM | Confirm | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| CK | Check | ||
| CL | Closing (I am closing my station) | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| CP ... ... | Calling several stations (followed by the call signs of two or more stations, e.g. CP T4SRJ C5ADK for "calling stations T4SRJ and C5ADK") | operating signal | |
| CQ | Calling (calling all stations / any station) (do not follow with PLS or PSE; see LID) | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| CQD | All stations distress (used preceding SOS to let all operators know of an impending distress signal) | operating signal | |
| CS ... | Calling station (followed by the call sign of a particular station, e.g. CS F3TL for "calling station F3TL") | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| CS? | What call sign? (used with "?" to request a contact's call sign) | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| DE ... | From (or "this is") | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| DX | Long distance, foreign countries (sometimes refers to long distance contact) | ||
| ES | And / [ & ] / also / et | American Morse code | |
| FB | Good (literal abbr. "fine business") | Amateur radio slang; suspected euphemism | |
| FM | From (see DE) | operating signal | |
| FWD | Forward | ||
| I I | I say again; I repeat; ditto | ||
| K | Invitation to transmit | ITU-R M.1172, [2] ITU-R M.1677-1 [4] | operating signal |
| KN | Over to you; only the previously named station should respond (e.g. after K6PCH DE W1AWKN; only station K6PCH should reply to W1AW) | ITU-R M.1677-1 [4] | operating signal |
| LID | Poor operator (derogatory) | Wire telegraph slang, same as PLUG | |
| MSG | Prefix indicating a message to or from the master of a ship concerning its operation or navigation | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | |
| N | No; nine | ||
| NIL | I have nothing to send you | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | |
| NR | Number follows | operating signal | |
| OK | Okay | ITU-R M.1172, [2] ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | operating signal |
| OM | Old Man (any male radio operator or the spouse of a female radio operator, both regardless of age) | Amateur radio slang | |
| PLS | Please (not appropriate after CQ; see LID) | ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | |
| PPR | Paper | ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | |
| PSE | Please | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | |
| PX | Prefix | ||
| R | Received as transmitted (origin of "Roger") | ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | operating signal |
| RX | Receiver / Receive | ||
| RPT | Report / Repeat please / I repeat as follows | ITU-R M.1172, [2] ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | |
| RSN | Readability (1-5) / Strength (1-9) / Noise (1-9) | Not yet in widespread use | |
| RST | Signal report format (Readability / Signal Strength / Tone) | In universal amateur radio use | operating signal |
| SFR | So far (proword) | ||
| SIG | Signature | ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | |
| SK | Out (prosign), end of contact | operating signal | |
| SK | Silent Key (a deceased radio amateur) | Amateur radio slang; from SK, the last signal received from a radio contact | |
| SVP | Please ( French : "S'il vous plaît") | ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | |
| SX | Dollars | Phillips Code | |
| TU | Thank You | ||
| TX | Transmitter / Transmit | ||
| W | Word / Words | ITU-T Rec. F.1 [3] | |
| WA | Word after | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| WB | Word before | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | operating signal |
| WC | Wilco; "Will comply" | operating signal | |
| WD | Word / Words | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | |
| WX | Weather / Weather report follows | ITU-R M.1172 [2] | |
| XCVR | Transceiver | ||
| XYL | Former Young Lady (female spouse of radio operator, regardless of age) | Amateur radio slang | |
| YL | Young Lady (any female radio operator, regardless of age) | Amateur radio slang | |
| Z | Zulu time i.e. UTC | operating signal | |
| 161 | Best regards + Love and kisses; used on YL networks as a sign-off | sum of two 92 Codes | |
| 30 | No more; this is the end; finished | Not used in radiotelegraphy | 92 Code |
| 72 | Best regards | Amateur radio slang. While operating QRP/Low Power | 92 Code |
| 73 | Best regards | 92 Code | |
| 75 | Derogatory term for a disliked operator (Referring to 75 meter ham band) | Amateur radio slang, USA only | |
| 77 | Long Live CW (Morse Code), wishing you many happy CW contacts | ||
| 88 | Love and kisses | 92 Code | |
| 99 | Get lost! |
To make Morse code communications faster and more efficient, there are many internationally agreed patterns or conventions of communication which include: extensive use of abbreviations, use of brevity codes such as 92 Code, RST code, Q code, Z code as well as the use of Morse prosigns. The skills required to have efficient fast conversations with Morse comprise more than simply knowing the Morse code symbols for the alphabet and numerals. Skilled telegraphists must also know many traditional International Morse code communications conventions.
In the following example of a typical casual Morse code conversation between two stations there is extensive use of such: Morse code abbreviations, brevity codes, Morse procedural signs, and other such conventions.
An example casual Morse code (CW) conversation between Station S1ABC and Station S2YZ is illustrated in the following paragraphs. Here the actual Morse code information stream sent by each station (S1ABC and S2YZ) is shown in bold face small capitals type, and is followed below each bold face transmission by an indented interpretation of the message sent, together with short explanations of the codes. These translations [5] and explanations are shown below each station's indicated transmission data stream.
S1ABC transmits an open call in Morse:
CQ CQ CQ DE S1ABCRNK
S2YZ responds to the call by transmitting the short Morse reply:
S1ABC DE S2YZKN
S1ABC transmits Morse message:
S2YZ DE S1ABC = GA DR OM UR RST 5NN HR = QTH ANDALUSIA = OP IS JOHN = HW? S2YZ DE S1ABCKN
S2YZ transmits Morse message:
S1ABC DE S2YZ = TNX FB RPRT DR OM JOHN UR 559 = QTH BARCELONA = NM IS ANDY S1ABC DE S2YZKN
S1ABC transmits Morse message:
S2 DE S1ABC = OK TNX QSO DR ANDY = 73 ES HPE CUAGN S2YZ DE S1ABCKN
S2YZ sends Morse message:
S1ABC DE S2YZ = R TU CUAGN 73 S1ABC DE S2YZRNSK
In International Morse code there is no distinct dot-dash sequence defined only for the mathematical equal sign [=]; rather the same code ( ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ or dah di di di dah) is shared by double hyphen [=] and the procedural sign for section separator notated as BT. It is fairly common in the Recommended International Morse Code for punctuation codes to be shared with prosigns. For example, the code for plus or cross ([+] = ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ) is the same as the prosign for end of telegram, and the widely used but non-ITU "Over to you only" prosign KN is the official code for open parenthesis [(] or left bracket. [4]
The listener is required to distinguish the meaning by context. In the example casual conversation between two station operators, above, the Morse transmissions show the equal sign [=] in the same way that a simple electronic automatic Morse code reader with a one- or two-line display does: It can't distinguish context so it always displays the math symbol. It would also display an open parentheses [(] for the over to you only prosign (KN = ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ).
The use of the end of section prosign BT in casual exchanges essentially indicates a new paragraph in the text or a new sentence, and is a little quicker to send than a full stop ([.] = ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ) required in telegrams.
Normally an operator copying Morse code by hand or typewriter would decide whether the equal sign [=] or the "new section" prosign BT was meant and start new paragraph in the recorded text upon reception of the code. This new paragraph copying convention is illustrated in the example conversation in the prior section.
When decoding in one's head, instead of writing text on paper or into a computer file, the receiving operator copying mentally will interpret the BT prosign for either a mental pause, or to jot down for later reference a short word or phrase from the information being sent.
Rag chewer is a name applied to amateur radio Morse code operators who engage in informal Morse code conversations (known as chewing the rag) while discussing subjects such as: The weather, their location, signal quality, and their equipment (especially the antennas being used).
Meaningful rag chewing between fluent Morse code operators having different native languages is possible because of a common language provided by the prosigns for Morse code, the International Q code, Z code, RST code, the telegraph era Phillips Code and 92 codes, and many well known Morse code abbreviations including those discussed in this article. Together all of these traditional conventions serve as a somewhat cryptic but commonly understood language (Lingua Franca) within the worldwide community of amateur radio Morse code operators.
These codes and protocols efficiently encode many well known statements and questions from many languages into short simple character groups which may be tapped out very quickly. The international Q code for instance encodes literally hundreds of full normal language sentences and questions in short three character codes each beginning with the character Q. For example, the code word QTH means My transmitting location is ... , which radio operators typically take instead to mean My home is ... . If this code word is followed by a question mark as QTH? it means What is your transmitting location?
Typically very few full words will be spelled out in Morse code conversations. Similar to phone texting, vowels are often left out to shorten transmissions and turn overs. Other examples, of internationally recognized usages of Morse code abbreviations and well known code numbers, such as those of the Phillips Code from past eras of telegraph technology, are usages such as WX for weather and SX for dollar, and from wire signal codes, the numbers 73 for best regards and 88 for love and kisses.
These techniques are similar to, and often faster than, texting on modern cellphones. Using this extensive lingua franca that is widely understood across many languages and cultures, surprisingly meaningful Morse code conversations can be efficiently conducted with short transmissions independently of native languages, even between operators who cannot actually communicate by voice because of language barriers.
With heavy use of the Q code and Morse code abbreviations, surprisingly meaningful conversations can readily occur. Note that in the preceding example conversation very few full English words have been used. In fact, in the above example S1 and S2 might not speak the same native language. Although lengthy or detailed conversations could not, of course, be accomplished by radio operators with no common language.
Contesters often use a very specialized and even shorter format for their contacts. Their purpose is to process as many contacts as possible in a limited time (e.g. 100–150 contacts per hour).
In communications and information processing, code is a system of rules to convert information—such as a letter, word, sound, image, or gesture—into another form, sometimes shortened or secret, for communication through a communication channel or storage in a storage medium. An early example is an invention of language, which enabled a person, through speech, to communicate what they thought, saw, heard, or felt to others. But speech limits the range of communication to the distance a voice can carry and limits the audience to those present when the speech is uttered. The invention of writing, which converted spoken language into visual symbols, extended the range of communication across space and time.
Morse code is a telecommunications method which encodes text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called dots and dashes, or dits and dahs. Morse code is named after Samuel Morse, one of the early developers of the system adopted for electrical telegraphy.
The Q-code is a standardised collection of three-letter codes that each start with the letter "Q". It is an operating signal initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. 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 question marker "INT" or suffixed it with the standard Morse question mark UD.
SOS is a Morse code distress signal, used internationally, originally established for maritime use. In formal notation SOS is written with an overscore line, to indicate that the Morse code equivalents for the individual letters of "SOS" are transmitted as an unbroken sequence of three dots / three dashes / three dots, with no spaces between the letters. In International Morse Code three dots form the letter "S" and three dashes make the letter "O", so "S O S" became a common way to remember the order of the dots and dashes. IWB, VZE, 3B, and V7 form equivalent sequences, but traditionally SOS is the easiest to remember.
CQD is one of the first distress signals adopted for radio use. On 7 January 1904 the Marconi International Marine Communication Company issued "Circular 57", which specified that, for the company's installations, beginning 1 February 1904 "the call to be given by ships in distress or in any way requiring assistance shall be 'C Q D' ".
The R-S-T system is used by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, and other radio hobbyists to exchange information about the quality of a radio signal being received. The code is a three digit number, with one digit each for conveying an assessment of the signal's readability, strength, and tone. The code was developed in 1934 by Amateur radio operator Arthur W. Braaten, W2BSR, and was similar to that codified in the ITU Radio Regulations, Cairo, 1938.
Ten-codes, officially known as ten signals, are brevity codes used to represent common phrases in voice communication, particularly by US public safety officials and in citizens band (CB) radio transmissions. The police version of ten-codes is officially known as the APCO Project 14 Aural Brevity Code.
A signal strength and readability report is a standardized format for reporting the strength of the radio signal and the readability (quality) of the radiotelephone (voice) or radiotelegraph signal transmitted by another station as received at the reporting station's location and by their radio station equipment. These report formats are usually designed for only one communications mode or the other, although a few are used for both telegraph and voice communications. All but one of these signal report formats involve the transmission of numbers.
Radiotelephony procedure includes various techniques used to clarify, simplify and standardize spoken communications over two-way radios, in use by the armed forces, in civil aviation, police and fire dispatching systems, citizens' band radio (CB), and amateur radio.
A telegraph code is one of the character encodings used to transmit information by telegraphy. Morse code is the best-known such code. Telegraphy usually refers to the electrical telegraph, but telegraph systems using the optical telegraph were in use before that. A code consists of a number of code points, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet, a numeral, or some other character. In codes intended for machines rather than humans, code points for control characters, such as carriage return, are required to control the operation of the mechanism. Each code point is made up of a number of elements arranged in a unique way for that character. There are usually two types of element, but more element types were employed in some codes not intended for machines. For instance, American Morse code had about five elements, rather than the two of International Morse Code.
CQ is a station code used by wireless operators derived from long established telegraphic practice on undersea cables and landlines, particularly used by those communicating in Morse code,, but also by voice operators, to make a general call. Transmitting the letters CQ on a particular radio frequency means that the transmission is a broadcast or "General Call" to anyone listening, and when the operator sends "K" or says "Go Ahead" it is an invitation for any licensed radio station listening on that frequency to respond. Its use on radio matched the existing use on Morse landline telegraphy and dates from the earliest wireless stations. It was widely used in point-to-point diplomatic and press services, maritime, aviation, and police services until those services eliminated Morse radiotelegraphy. It is still widely used in amateur radio which still has active use of Morse radiotelegraphy.
Modulated continuous wave (MCW) is Morse code telegraphy transmitted using an audio tone to modulate a carrier wave.
ACP-131 is the controlling publication for the listing of Q codes and Z codes. It is published and revised from time to time by the Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB) countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, and United States. When the meanings of the codes contained in ACP-131 are translated into various languages, the codes provide a means of communicating between ships of various nations, such as during a NATO exercise, where there is no common language.
A Radio code is any code that is commonly used over a telecommunication system such as Morse code, brevity codes and procedure words.
Procedural signs or prosigns are shorthand signals used in Morse code telegraphy, for the purpose of simplifying and standardizing procedural protocols for landline and radio communication. The procedural signs are distinct from conventional Morse code abbreviations, which consist mainly of brevity codes that convey messages to other parties with greater speed and accuracy. However, some codes are used both as prosigns and as single letters or punctuation marks, and for those, the distinction between a prosign and abbreviation is ambiguous, even in context.
Procedure words are words or phrases limited to radiotelephony procedure used to facilitate communication by conveying information in a condensed standard verbal format. Prowords are voice versions of the much older procedural signs for Morse code which were first developed in the 1860s for Morse telegraphy, and their meaning is identical.
Brevity codes are used in amateur radio, maritime, aviation and military communications. They are designed to convey complex information with a few words or codes. Some are classified from the public.
An ARRL radiogram is an instance of formal written message traffic routed by a network of amateur radio operators through traffic nets, called the National Traffic System (NTS).
In CW Morse code operations, QSK or full break-in operation describes an operating mode in which the transmitting station can detect signals from other stations between the elements or letters of the Morse transmission. This allows other stations to interrupt the transmitting station between individual coding elements, and such allows for a conversational style of communication.
Operating signals are a type of brevity code used in operational communication among radio and telegraph operators. For example: