CQ in Morse Code

Timing at 20 WPM

International Morse timing is measured in units: a dot is 1 unit, a dash 3, the gap inside a character 1, the gap between letters 3 and the gap between words 7. At 20 words per minute, one unit is 1200 ÷ 20 = 60 ms.

In total, CQ is 27 units — 1.62 seconds at 20 WPM: 2 characters, 3 dots and 5 dashes. At a beginner's 5 WPM it would take 6.48 seconds.

Sound it out

Operators learn Morse as sound, not as dots to count. Say “di” for a dot inside a character, “dit” for a final dot and “dah” for a dash, with a pause between letters:

dah-di-dah-dit dah-dah-di-dah

Letters in CQ that are easy to mix up

These letters differ from the ones in CQ by a single dot or dash — one flipped element, or one extra or missing at the end — so they are the usual misreadings when you are copying by ear or by light:

About CQ

CQ is the general call: ITU-R M.1172 defines it as a 'general call to all stations'. A radio operator who wants to talk to anyone listening sends CQ several times, then DE ('from') and their own call sign, and ends with K, the invitation to transmit — for example: CQ CQ CQ DE K1ABC K1ABC K.

Operators narrow the call by adding a word: CQ DX asks for long-distance stations (DX), and contest stations send CQ TEST. The rhythm of the call itself is shown below in the dit-dah spelling used to learn Morse by ear.

Related radio abbreviations

CQ in other codes

Convert your own text with the Morse code translator, the NATO alphabet converter or the binary translator, or print the Morse code alphabet.

Sources

• ITU-R M.1172 — Miscellaneous abbreviations and signals (CQ, DE, K)
• AmateurRadio.com — CW Abbreviations (CQ, DX, DE examples)
• Rochester (NY) Amateur Radio Association — Common CW Abbreviations (DX, TEST)