Morse code prosigns are procedural signals sent as two or more letters merged together — no gap between elements, making them a single sound unit. They handle the mechanics of a radio conversation: starting, ending, breaking, and handing the channel back. Alongside prosigns, a set of Q codes and traditional CW abbreviations lets operators communicate quickly with minimal characters.
What Makes a Prosign Different
In normal Morse, there is a 3-unit gap between letters. In a prosign, that gap is omitted. The letters run together into one continuous signal.
The ITU-R Recommendation M.1677-1 lists several procedural signs in the character set, including the starting signal and end-of-work signal, both sent as merged characters.
Common Prosigns
| Prosign | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| AR | .-.-. | End of message (over and out) |
| SK | …-.- | End of contact (sign off) |
| KN | -.–. | Go ahead, specific station only |
| BT | -…- | Break (separates sections of a message; also written = ) |
| CT / KA | -.-.- | Starting signal (begin transmission) |
| SN / VE | …-. | Understood |
| HH | …….. | Error (eight dots; retransmit from the error) |
The error signal (HH) is simply eight consecutive dots sent quickly, telling the receiving operator to scratch the last group sent.
Essential One-Letter Operating Signals
Some single letters function as procedural signals in context:
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| K | Go ahead (any station may reply) |
| R | Received / Roger |
| E | Understood (one dot) |
K and KN are often confused. K invites any station to reply; KN means only the named station should reply.
Q Codes
Q codes were originally developed for international wireless telegraphy to overcome language barriers. A QRA in French and English means the same thing. Amateur radio adopted them broadly.
| Q Code | Question form | Statement form |
|---|---|---|
| QRB | How far are you from me? | My distance from you is … |
| QRL | Are you busy? | I am busy (do not interfere) |
| QRM | Are you being interfered with? | I am being interfered with |
| QRN | Are you troubled by static? | I am troubled by static |
| QRO | Shall I increase power? | Increase transmitter power |
| QRP | Shall I reduce power? | Reduce transmitter power |
| QRQ | Shall I send faster? | Send faster |
| QRS | Shall I send more slowly? | Send more slowly |
| QRT | Shall I stop sending? | Stop sending |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? | You are being called by … |
| QSB | Does my signal vary? | Your signal is varying |
| QSL | Can you acknowledge? | I am acknowledging receipt |
| QSO | Can you communicate? | I can communicate with … |
| QSY | Shall I change frequency? | Change to frequency … |
| QTH | What is your location? | My location is … |
Common CW Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CQ | Calling all stations |
| DE | From / This is |
| TNX / TU | Thanks / Thank you |
| OM | Old man (address for any male operator) |
| YL | Young lady (address for any female operator) |
| XYL | Ex-young lady (spouse / partner) |
| 73 | Best regards |
| 88 | Love and kisses |
| HI | Laughter (Morse equivalent of “ha ha”) |
| GE / GM | Good evening / Good morning |
| FB | Fine business (excellent, well done) |
| ES | And |
| PSE | Please |
| AGN | Again |
| RPT | Repeat |
| NR | Number |
| WX | Weather |
| RIG | Radio equipment |
| ANT | Antenna |
The Phillips Code: Origin of 73
The number abbreviations like 73 and 88 trace back to the Phillips Code, a system of numerical shortcuts used by telegraph operators in the late 19th century. 73 originally meant “my love to you” and evolved to mean “best regards.” 88 followed a similar path.
Using Prosigns in a Typical Contact
A brief amateur radio CW exchange might look like this:
- W1ABC calls CQ: CQ CQ CQ DE W1ABC K
- W9XYZ replies: W1ABC DE W9XYZ K
- W1ABC acknowledges: W9XYZ DE W1ABC GE OM 73 SK
- W9XYZ closes: 73 SK
The AR prosign ends the final message; SK ends the whole contact.
Use the Morse code translator to encode any text or prosign in dots and dashes. For more on when Morse code is actually used today, see does anyone still use Morse code and SOS meaning and history.