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.
- CQ - Calling any station
- DE - From
- K - Go ahead, inviting any station to transmit
- R - Received (acknowledgment)
- AR - End of message
- SK - End of contact
- TU - Thank you
- 73 - Best regards
- RST - Signal report format (Readability, Strength, Tone)
- QTH - Location
- QTH - Location
- NAME - Operator's name
- QSL - Acknowledge receipt/confirmation card
- PSE - Please
- TKS - Thanks
- TNX - Thanks
- QSO - On-air conversation/contact
- QRM - Man-made interference
- QSB - Fading of the signal
- QRN - Atmospheric noise/interference
- QRS - Send slower
- QRT - Stop sending
- QRZ - Who is calling me?
- QSY - Change frequency
- QRP - Low power operation
- QTX - Keep your station open
- QRV - Ready to receive
- QSP - Relay a message
- QLF - Sending poorly
- QTR - Time
- QTH - Location
- QSL - Acknowledge receipt/confirmation card
- RIG - Radio equipment
- PWR - Power
- ANT - Antenna
- WX - Weather
- HR - Here
- HI - Laughter (used to convey amusement)
- FB - Fine business (good)
- OM - Old man (male operator)
- YL - Young lady (female operator)
- XYL - Wife (of a male operator)
- EL - Element (of an antenna)
- BT - Break (used to separate thoughts or sections)
- BK - Break (to pause or resume transmission)
- KN - Go ahead, specific station only
- NR - Number
- SIG - Signal
- GM - Good morning
- GA - Good afternoon
- GE - Good evening
- GN - Good night
- GL - Good luck
- DX - Long distance contact
- AGN - Again
- HW - How
- DR - Dear
- ES - And
- CFM - Confirm
- FER - For
- ND - Nothing doing (no)
- SRI - Sorry
- CU - See you
- 73 - Best regards
- 88 - Love and kisses
- 99 - Keep out of it
- AA - All after
- AB - All before
- AD - All day
- AS - Wait (stand by)
- C - Yes
- HPE - Hope
- MSG - Message
- NIL - Nothing (I have nothing for you)
- OB - Old boy
- OP - Operator
- OT - Old timer
- RX - Receive, receiver
- TEMP - Temperature
- TU - Thank you
- U - You
- UR - Your, you're
- UU - You understand
- VY - Very
- WID - With
- WKD - Worked
- YL - Young lady (female operator)
- ZZ - Keep your frequency clear
- CQ DX - Calling any long-distance station
- CQ TEST - Calling any station in a contest
- CQ WW - Calling any station in the CQ Worldwide contest
- CQ WAE - Calling any station in the Worked All Europe contest
- CQ WPX - Calling any station in the CQ WPX contest
- CQ FD - Calling any station during Field Day
- CQ POTA - Calling any station during Parks on the Air activation
- CQ POTA - Calling any station during Parks on the Air activation
- CQ SOTA - Calling any station during Summits on the Air activation
- CQ IOTA - Calling any station during Islands on the Air activation
- QSL? - Do you confirm receipt?
- QRP? - Are you using low power?
- QSY? - Shall I change frequency?
- QTH? - What is your location?
- QRZ? - Who is calling me?
- QSL VIA - Send QSL card via
- QSL DIRECT - Send QSL card directly to the operator
- QSL BURO - Send QSL card via the bureau
- QSL LOTW - Confirm contact via Logbook of The World
- QSL eQSL - Confirm contact via eQSL
- WPM - Words per minute (CW speed)
- SSB - Single Sideband (voice mode)
- CW - Continuous Wave (Morse code mode)
- RTTY - Radio teletype (digital mode)
- PSK31 - Phase Shift Keying 31 baud (digital mode)
- FT8 - Fast mode of digital communication
- FT4 - Faster mode of digital communication
- AM - Amplitude Modulation (voice mode)
- FM - Frequency Modulation (voice mode)
- SAT - Satellite
- WATT - Watt (unit of power)
- dB - Decibel (unit for expressing the ratio of two power levels)