Royal Signals ... Q and Z Codes

 

The list below is based on the 1967 Royal Signals Training Notes… SCA Vol IV, Pamphlet 4, 1967, as used in Précis No. 9, Trade Training School, 8th Signal Regiment, Catterick.

Background info to Q Codes…

The Q-code was instituted at the Radiotelegraph Convention held in London, 1912. and is today still in use in not only military, but also aeronautical, maritime and Ham radio.

Background info to Z Codes…

The Z code was originally developed as a service code by Cable & Wireless Ltd. for usage in the commercial communications business, in particular on Imperial and far east to UK communications. The Army taught (NATO JS/military) Z-signals are by default (Mobile and combat needs vs. fixed and Corporate) completely different from the old C&W codes, the more extensive current NATO military Z-signals ZAA...ZXZ are laid out in ACP 131;

Compiled by Petra Henderson, RSO, June 5th 2003

Q Codes (Yellow)

LIST OF Q-CODE OPERATING SIGNALS
 

Signal

  

Question

  

Answere/Advice
 QRK  What is the readability of my signals?  The readability of your signals is
 (1. Unworkable;
  3. Difficult;
  5. OK (Satisfactory))
 QRM  Are you being interfered with?  I am being interfered with
(2. Slightly;
 3. Moderately;
 5. Heavily).
 QRN  Are you troubled by static?  I am troubled by static
(2. Slightly;
 3. Moderately;
 5. Heavily).
 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 ( ... wpm).
 QRS  Shall I send slower?  send at slower speed ( ... wpm).
 QRT  Shall I stop sending?  Stop sending
 QRU  Do you have any thing for me?  I have nothing for you
 QRZ  Who is calling me?  You are being called by ...
 QSB  Are my signals fading?  Your signals are fading.
 QSD  Is my keying defective?  Your keying is defective.
 QSG  Can I use batch working?  Send ... messages at a time.
 QSK  Can you hear me between your Morse
 Signals ... and ... if so can I break - in on
 your transmission?		  I can hear you between my signals;
--- break-in on my transmission.
 QSV  Shall I send a test signal?  Send a test signal
 (A series of V's).
 QSY  Shall I change to frequency ... kc/s?  Change to frequency ... kc/s
 QSZ  Shall I send each word or group twice?  Send each word or group twice.
 

Z Codes (Blue)

  

List OF Z - CODE OPERATING SIGNALS
 

Signal

  

Question

  

Answer/Advice
 ZAI    Run
(1. Caller
 2. Test Tape
 3. Synchronizing tape
 4. Traffic
 5. Marking Signals
 6. Spacing Signals
 7. Reversals
 8. Run teletypewriter space bar signals)
 ZAX    You are ...
 (1. causing interference. Listen for sending;
 2. Causing interference by inattention to order to wait
 3. Sending att the same time as
 4. causing delay by slowness in answering
 5. Anwering out of turn)
 ZBB    For following message ypu will require ...... total of copies
 ZBF    For following message use large message form
 ZBH    Make preliminary call before transmitting messages
 ZBI    Change to voice transmission and reception
 ZBL    I am unable to receive you while I am transmitting.
 Do not use break - in procedure.
 ZBO  Of what precedence is your message?  I have (or ... has) (numeral followed by
 precedence prosign for each
 precedence) message(s) for you (or for ... )
 ZBZ  What is the printing accuracy of my signals
 (or those of ) ?		  The printing accuracy of your signals (or those of) is
 (1. Tottally currupt
 2. Very currupt
 3. Partly currupt rendering traffic unacceptable
 4. Occasionally currupt but traffic acceptable
 5. Perfect .. no curreuption)
 ZDJ    I have a message containing groups to transmit to you
 (or to)
 ZDK  Will you repeat message or portion indicated?  Following repetition of is made in accordance
  with your request
 ZDO    I could not send message to ....
 ZDQ    Message was relayed to (at .... by on .... kc/s)
 ZEN    This message has been delivered by a separate
 transmission to the addressee(s) immediately following
 this operating signal.
 ZEN1    This message has been delivered by a
 Messenger/Courier to the addressee(s)
 immediatley following this operating signal
 ZEN2    This message has been delivered by
 Mail to the addressee(s) immediately
 following this operating signal
 ZEU    Exercise (drill) message
 ZEX    This is a book message and may be
 delivered as a single address message to
 addressees for whom you are responsible
 ZFA    Following message has been read
 (received or intercepted)
 ZFH    This message is passed to you for ...
 1. Action
 2. Information
 3. Comment
 NOTE The call sign follows the
 operating signal. e.g ZFH2 ØA is For
 information of the station ØA
 ZFR    Cancel transmission
 ZGE    Make your call sign ... times (number
 of times indicated)
 ZGF    Make call signs more distinctly
 ZGN  When was I (or ....) Last heard?  Nothing heard of you (or ....) (since ....).
 ZGO  What 18 my call sign and sequence of
 answering?		  Your call sign is ....
 Answer after ....
 ZKA  Who is controlling station net?  I am (or .... is) controlling station on
 this frequency
 ZKB  Is it necessary to obtain permission of
 the controlling station (net control station)
 before transmitting messages?		  It is necessary to obtain the permission
 of the controlling station (net control station)
 before transmitting messages
 ZDK  Shall I take control of the net (for .... )
 (until .... )		  Take control of the net
 ZKE    I am reporting into the net
 ZKJ  May I close down (Until .... )?  (1. Close down (Until .... )
 2. I am closing down (until .... ))
 ZNB  What is the authentication?  Authentication is (may Include a time group)
 ZND    Your authentication is incorrect
 ZOE  Can you accept message?  Give me your message, I will for dispose of it.
 ZOF    Relay this message to now (or at).
 ZOK    Relay this message via ....
 ZOT    Transmit or handle this message at the
 lower precedence to the station(s)
 whose call sign follow(s).
 ZPF  What is the readability of the net (or of .... )?  The readability of the net (or of ....) is
 (1. Unworkable
 3. Difficult
 5. OK).
 ZRC  Shall I tune my Station to ....?
 (1. Proper frequency
 2. Zero beat with your (or ....'s) transmitter?		  Tune your station to
 (1. proper frequency
 2. Zero beat with my (or ....'s) transmitter
 ZRF  Will you send a tuning signal on your
 present frequency, (or on .... kc/s)?		  I am about to send a tuning signal on
 my present frequency, (or .... kc/s)
 ZRN  Do you intend to transmit on:
 1. Upper sideband;
 2. Lower sideband;
 3. Both sidebands indepently?		  I intend to transmit on:
 1. The USB;
 2. The LSB;
 3. Both Sidebands independently
 ZTD  Shall I use ....  Use ....
 ZTG  (Class of emission/type of transmission,
7nbsp;See ACP 131).		  
 ZUA  Request time signal now (or at .... Hrs.).  Time signal will be transmitted now or at .... Hrs.
 ZUE    Affirmative (Yes).
 ZUG    Negative (No).
 ZUH    Unable to comply (or can first comply at ... Z (hrs))
 ZUI    Your attention is invited to
 ZUJ    Stand by
 ZUK  Appointment title desire personal
 conversation with (e.g. Fetch Sunray)		  Requested person (Appointment title)
 now ready ... (e.g. Sunray Speaking)
 ZXY    transmit this message to the addressees
 indicate by the numerals.
 ZXT    Tune antennas.
 ZYU    Change to frequency shift telegraphy
 (Shift c/s).