Phonetic Alphabet
In amateur-radio communication, it is very important to transmit call signs, place names, and other information correctly. With a weak signal, interference, or communication with an operator from another country, simply pronouncing an individual letter may not be sufficient. That is why a phonetic alphabet is used, in which each letter is assigned a distinctive word.
In Poland, a traditional spelling method based on Polish names is also used. In international communications, the ICAO/NATO international radiotelephony spelling alphabet is the standard. Its modern form has been in use since 1956 and was also adopted for radiocommunications.
| Letter | Polish spelling | International |
|---|---|---|
| A | Adam | Alfa |
| B | Barbara | Bravo |
| C | Celina / Cezary | Charlie |
| D | Dorota / Danuta | Delta |
| E | Ewa | Echo |
| F | Franciszek | Foxtrot |
| G | Genowefa / Grażyna | Golf |
| H | Halina | Hotel |
| I | Irena | India |
| J | Jadwiga | Juliett |
| K | Karol | Kilo |
| L | Ludwik | Lima |
| M | Maria | Mike |
| N | Natalia | November |
| O | Olga | Oscar |
| P | Paweł | Papa |
| Q | Kłebek / Quantum | Quebec |
| R | Roman | Romeo |
| S | Stefan | Sierra |
| T | Tadeusz | Tango |
| U | Urszula | Uniform |
| V | Wioletta | Victor |
| W | Wanda | Whiskey |
| X | Xawery / Ksantypa | X-ray |
| Y | Ypsilon | Yankee |
| Z | Zygmunt | Zulu |
The Polish spelling table follows the training material of the PZK Polish Amateur Radio Operators' Library. In the international alphabet, strictly defined words are used, such as Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, November, Quebec, and Sierra.
Example – The call sign SQ9NFI can be spelled:
in Polish:
Stefan – Kłebek – nine – Natalia – Franciszek – Irena
internationally:
Sierra – Quebec – Nine – November – Foxtrot – India
In practice, when communicating internationally, it is definitely best to use the ICAO/NATO alphabet. This reduces the risk of the correspondent mishearing the call sign.
Q code
The Q code is a system of short, three-letter groups beginning with the letter Q. It allows common operating information to be conveyed quickly and independently of the language spoken by the operators. The codes were developed primarily for radiotelegraphy, but many of them have also become firmly established in amateur-radio voice communication.
In telegraphy, adding a question mark changes the code into a question. For example:
QRL? – Is the frequency busy?
QRL – The frequency is busy.
This use of QRL is also described in materials on PZK operating procedures.
Most commonly used Q codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QRA | The name of my station is… |
| QRB | The distance between our stations is… |
| QRG | Your frequency is… |
| QRK | Signal readability |
| QRL | I am busy / the frequency is busy |
| QRM | Interference from other stations |
| QRN | Atmospheric interference |
| QRO | Increase power / high power |
| QRP | Decrease power / low power |
| QRQ | Transmit faster |
| QRS | Transmit more slowly |
| QRT | I am stopping operation / stop transmitting |
| QRU | I have nothing for you |
| QRV | I am ready to operate |
| QRX | Please wait / I will call again |
| QRZ | Who is calling me? |
| QSA | Signal strength |
| QSB | Signal strength is varying; fading is occurring |
| QSL | I acknowledge receipt / confirmation of the contact |
| QSO | Radio contact |
| QSP | Relay the message to… |
| QST | Message to all stations |
| QSY | Change to another frequency |
| QTC | I have a message for you |
| QTH | My position / station location |
| QTR | The exact time |
The meanings of the abbreviations above correspond to the list published by the PZK Lublin District Branch.
Codes you will hear most often
For a beginner operator, several abbreviations are particularly important.
QRM – indicates interference from other stations.
QRN – means atmospheric interference.
QRP – refers to low-power operation.
QRT – means ending operation or transmission.
QRV – means ready to operate.
QRZ? – is the question “who is calling me?”.
QSL – means confirmation of receipt or contact.
QSO – is a completed radio contact.
QSY – means changing frequency.
QTH – specifies the location from which the station is operating.
Example of use
An operator might say:
“I have strong QRM.”
This means that reception is being impaired by interference from other stations.
In turn:
“My QTH is Kraków.”
simply means: “I am transmitting from Kraków.”
Worth remembering
There is no need to learn all the Q codes at once. At first, it is enough to know the dozen or so abbreviations encountered most often: QRL, QRM, QRN, QRP, QRT, QRV, QRZ, QSB, QSL, QSO, QSY, and QTH. The others quickly become familiar with practice on the bands.