Top 100 CW Words and Phrases

Here's the list of the top 100 words, abbreviations, and phrases commonly used in CW (Morse code) exchanges with their plain English translation or description:

This list includes translations and descriptions for items related to on-air contests, different modes of operation, and technical terms. These terms will help you better understand and participate in various aspects of ham radio communication, especially in Morse code (CW) exchanges.

  1. CQ - Calling any station
  2. DE - From
  3. K - Go ahead, inviting any station to transmit
  4. R - Received (acknowledgment)
  5. AR - End of message
  6. SK - End of contact
  7. TU - Thank you
  8. 73 - Best regards
  9. RST - Signal report format (Readability, Strength, Tone)
  10. QTH - Location
  11. QTH - Location
  12. NAME - Operator's name
  13. QSL - Acknowledge receipt/confirmation card
  14. PSE - Please
  15. TKS - Thanks
  16. TNX - Thanks
  17. QSO - On-air conversation/contact
  18. QRM - Man-made interference
  19. QSB - Fading of the signal
  20. QRN - Atmospheric noise/interference
  21. QRS - Send slower
  22. QRT - Stop sending
  23. QRZ - Who is calling me?
  24. QSY - Change frequency
  25. QRP - Low power operation
  26. QTX - Keep your station open
  27. QRV - Ready to receive
  28. QSP - Relay a message
  29. QLF - Sending poorly
  30. QTR - Time
  31. QTH - Location
  32. QSL - Acknowledge receipt/confirmation card
  33. RIG - Radio equipment
  34. PWR - Power
  35. ANT - Antenna
  36. WX - Weather
  37. HR - Here
  38. HI - Laughter (used to convey amusement)
  39. FB - Fine business (good)
  40. OM - Old man (male operator)
  41. YL - Young lady (female operator)
  42. XYL - Wife (of a male operator)
  43. EL - Element (of an antenna)
  44. BT - Break (used to separate thoughts or sections)
  45. BK - Break (to pause or resume transmission)
  46. KN - Go ahead, specific station only
  47. NR - Number
  48. SIG - Signal
  49. GM - Good morning
  50. GA - Good afternoon
  51. GE - Good evening
  52. GN - Good night
  53. GL - Good luck
  54. DX - Long distance contact
  55. AGN - Again
  56. HW - How
  57. DR - Dear
  58. ES - And
  59. CFM - Confirm
  60. FER - For
  61. ND - Nothing doing (no)
  62. SRI - Sorry
  63. CU - See you
  64. 73 - Best regards
  65. 88 - Love and kisses
  66. 99 - Keep out of it
  67. AA - All after
  68. AB - All before
  69. AD - All day
  70. AS - Wait (stand by)
  71. C - Yes
  72. HPE - Hope
  73. MSG - Message
  74. NIL - Nothing (I have nothing for you)
  75. OB - Old boy
  76. OP - Operator
  77. OT - Old timer
  78. RX - Receive, receiver
  79. TEMP - Temperature
  80. TU - Thank you
  81. U - You
  82. UR - Your, you're
  83. UU - You understand
  84. VY - Very
  85. WID - With
  86. WKD - Worked
  87. YL - Young lady (female operator)
  88. ZZ - Keep your frequency clear
  89. CQ DX - Calling any long-distance station
  90. CQ TEST - Calling any station in a contest
  91. CQ WW - Calling any station in the CQ Worldwide contest
  92. CQ WAE - Calling any station in the Worked All Europe contest
  93. CQ WPX - Calling any station in the CQ WPX contest
  94. CQ FD - Calling any station during Field Day
  95. CQ POTA - Calling any station during Parks on the Air activation
  96. CQ POTA - Calling any station during Parks on the Air activation
  97. CQ SOTA - Calling any station during Summits on the Air activation
  98. CQ IOTA - Calling any station during Islands on the Air activation
  99. QSL? - Do you confirm receipt?
  100. QRP? - Are you using low power?
  101. QSY? - Shall I change frequency?
  102. QTH? - What is your location?
  103. QRZ? - Who is calling me?
  104. QSL VIA - Send QSL card via
  105. QSL DIRECT - Send QSL card directly to the operator
  106. QSL BURO - Send QSL card via the bureau
  107. QSL LOTW - Confirm contact via Logbook of The World
  108. QSL eQSL - Confirm contact via eQSL
  109. WPM - Words per minute (CW speed)
  110. SSB - Single Sideband (voice mode)
  111. CW - Continuous Wave (Morse code mode)
  112. RTTY - Radio teletype (digital mode)
  113. PSK31 - Phase Shift Keying 31 baud (digital mode)
  114. FT8 - Fast mode of digital communication
  115. FT4 - Faster mode of digital communication
  116. AM - Amplitude Modulation (voice mode)
  117. FM - Frequency Modulation (voice mode)
  118. SAT - Satellite
  119. WATT - Watt (unit of power)
  120. dB - Decibel (unit for expressing the ratio of two power levels)