View source for Morse code abbreviations

{{short description|Abbreviations commonly used in Morse code}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}

'''[[Morse code]] abbreviations''' are used to speed up Morse communications by foreshortening textual words and phrases. Morse abbreviations are short forms, representing normal textual words and phrases formed from some (fewer) [[Character (symbol)|characters]] taken from the word or phrase being abbreviated. Many are typical [[English language|English]] [[abbreviation]]s, or short [[acronyms]] for often-used phrases.

==Distinct from prosigns and commercial codes==
Morse code abbreviations are not the same as [[prosigns for Morse code|prosigns]]. Morse abbreviations are composed of (normal) textual alpha-numeric character symbols with normal Morse code inter-character spacing; the character symbols in abbreviations, unlike the delineated character groups representing Morse code prosigns, are not "run together" or [[concatenated]] in the way most prosigns are formed.

{{main|Commercial code (communications)}}

Although a few abbreviations (such as '''{{sc|SX}}''' for "dollar") are carried over from former [[Commercial code (communications)|commercial telegraph codes]], almost all Morse abbreviations are ''not'' commercial codes. From 1845 until well into the second half of the 20th&nbsp;century, [[Commercial code (communications)|commercial telegraphic code]] books were used to shorten telegrams, e.g. '''{{sc|PASCOELA}}''' = "''Locals have plundered everything from the wreck''."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dtc.umn.edu/~reedsj/codebooks.html |title=Commercial Telegraphic Code Books |editor=Reeds, James A. (Jim) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231034800/http://dtc.umn.edu/~reedsj/codebooks.html |archive-date=31 December 2008}}</ref> However, these cyphers are typically "fake" words six characters long, or more, used for replacing commonly used whole phrases, and are distinct from single-word abbreviations.

==Word and phrase abbreviations==
The following Table of Morse code abbreviations and further references to [[Brevity code]]s such as [[Wire signal|92 Code]], [[Q code]], [[Z code]], and [[R-S-T system]] serve to facilitate fast and efficient Morse code communications.

:{| class="wikitable"
|+Table of selected Morse code abbreviations
|-
! Abbreviation
! Meaning
! Defined in
! Type of abbreviation
|-
| '''{{sc|AA}}''' ...
| All after (used after question mark to request a repetition)
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172><br/>{{cite report |title=Miscellaneous abbreviations and signals to be used for radiocommunications in the maritime mobile service |date=20 October 1995 |publisher=[[International Telecommunication Union]] |place=Geneva, CH |id={{nobr|ITU-R M.1172}} |via=itu.int |url=https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-M.1172-0-199510-I/en |access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|AB}}''' ...
| All before (similarly)
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|ADRS}}'''
| [[Address (geography)|Address]]
| ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1><br/>{{cite report |title=Operating methods for the international public telegram service |date=March 1998 |series=Telegraph service – Recommendation |publisher=[[International Telecommunication Union]] |place=Geneva, CH |id={{nobr|ITU-T REC F.1}} |via=itu.int |url=https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-F.1/en}}</ref>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|ADS}}'''
| Address
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|AGN}}'''
| Again
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|ANT}}'''
| Antenna
|
|
|-
| {{overline| {{sc|AR}} }}
| End of transmission.
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal 
|-
| {{overline| {{sc|AS}} }}
| Wait
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|BK}}'''
| Break (to pause transmission of a message, say)
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|BN}}''' ... ...
| All between
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|C}}'''
| [[Yes and no|Yes]]; correct; affirmative
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|CFM}}'''
| Confirm
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|CK}}'''
| Check
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|CL}}'''
| Closing (I am closing my station)
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|CP}}''' ... ...
| Calling several stations (followed by the call signs of two or more stations, e.g. {{nobr|'''{{sc|CP T4SRJ C5ADK}}'''}} for "calling stations T4SRJ and C5ADK")
| 
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|CQ}}'''
| [[CQ (call)|Calling]] (calling all stations / any station) (do not follow with '''{{sc|PLS}}''' or '''{{sc|PSE}}'''; see '''{{sc|LID}}''')
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|CQD}}'''
| All stations distress (used preceding '''{{sc|SOS}}''' to let all operators know of an impending distress signal)
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|CS}}''' ...
| Calling station (followed by the call sign of a particular station, e.g. '''{{sc|CS F3TL}}''' for "calling station F3TL")
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|CS}}?'''
| What call sign? (used with "?" to request a contact's call sign)
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|DE}}''' ...
| From (or "this is")
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|DX}}'''
| Long distance, foreign countries (sometimes refers to long distance contact)
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|ES}}'''
| And / ['''[[&]]'''] / also / ''et''
| American Morse code 
|
|-
| '''{{sc|FB}}'''
| Good (literal abbr. "fine business")
| Amateur radio slang; suspected euphemism
|
|-
| '''{{sc|FM}}''' ...
| From (see '''{{sc|DE}}''')
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|FWD}}'''
| Forward
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|I}}&emsp;{{sc|I}}'''
| I say again; I repeat; ditto
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|K}}'''
| Invitation to transmit
| ITU-R M.1172,<ref name=ITU-1172/> ITU-R M.1677-1<ref name=ITU_rec_morse/>
| operating signal
|-
| {{overline| {{sc|KN}} }}
| Over to you; only the previously named station should respond (e.g. after {{nobr|'''{{sc|K6PCH DE W1AW}}''' {{overline|{{sc|KN}} }} }}; only station K6PCH should reply to W1AW)
| ITU-R M.1677-1<ref name=ITU_rec_morse/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|LID}}'''
| Poor operator (derogatory)
| Wire telegraph slang, same as '''{{sc|PLUG}}'''
|
|-
| '''{{sc|MSG}}'''
| Prefix indicating a [[message]] to or from the master of a ship concerning its operation or navigation
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|N}}'''
| [[Yes and no|No]]; [[9 (number)|nine]]
|
|
|- 
| '''{{sc|NIL}}'''
| I have [[nothing]] to send you
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|NR}}''' ... ...
| [[Number]] follows
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|OK}}'''
| [[Okay]]
| ITU-R M.1172,<ref name=ITU-1172/> ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|OM}}'''
| Old Man (any male radio operator or male spouse of radio operator, both regardless of age)
| Amateur radio slang
| 
|-
| '''{{sc|PLS}}'''
| Please (not appropriate after '''{{sc|CQ}}'''; see '''{{sc|LID}}''')
| ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|PPR}}'''
| Paper
| ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|PSE}}'''
| Please
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|PX}}'''
| [[Prefix]]
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|R}}'''
| Received as transmitted (origin of "Roger")
| ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|RX}}'''
| Receiver / Receive
|
|-
| '''{{sc|RPT}}'''
| Report / Repeat please / I repeat as follows
| ITU-R M.1172,<ref name=ITU-1172/> ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
|
|-
|'''{{sc|RSN}}'''
| Readability (1-5) / Strength (1-9) / Noise (1-9)
|Not yet in widespread use
|
|-
| [[R-S-T system|'''{{sc|RST}}''']] ... ... ...
| Signal report format ([[R-S-T system|Readability / Signal Strength / Tone]])
|In universal amateur radio use
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|SFR}}'''
| So far (proword)
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|SIG}}'''
| [[Signature]]
| ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
|
|-
| {{overline| {{sc|SK}} }}
| Out (prosign), end of contact
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|SK}}'''
| Silent Key (a deceased radio amateur)
| Amateur radio slang; from {{overline|{{sc|SK}}}}, the last signal received from a radio contact
|
|-
| '''{{sc|SVP}}'''
| Please ([[French language|French]]: ''"S'il vous plaît"'')
| ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|SX}}'''
| Dollars
| [[Phillips Code]]
|-
| '''{{sc|THX}}'''
| Thanks, Thank You
|
|-
| '''{{sc|TU}}'''
| Thank You
|
|-
| '''{{sc|TX}}'''
| Transmitter / Transmit
|
|-
| '''{{sc|W}}'''
| Word / Words
| ITU-T Rec. F.1<ref name=ITU-TR-F1/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|WA}}''' ...
| Word after
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|WB}}''' ...
| Word before
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|WC}}'''
| [[Wilco (voice procedure)|Wilco]]; "Will comply"
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|WD}}'''
| [[Word]] / Words
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|WX}}''' ... ... ...
| [[Weather]] / Weather report follows
| ITU-R M.1172<ref name=ITU-1172/>
|
|-
| '''{{sc|XCVR}}'''
| [[Transceiver]]
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|XYL}}'''
| Former Young Lady (female spouse of radio operator, regardless of age)
| Amateur radio slang
|
|-
| '''{{sc|YL}}'''
| Young Lady (any female radio operator, regardless of age)
| Amateur radio slang
|
|-
| '''{{sc|Z}}''' ... ... ... ...
| [[Zulu time]] i.e. [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]
|
| operating signal
|-
| '''{{sc|161}}'''
| [[Valediction#Regards, kind regards, best regards|Best regards]] + [[Love]] and [[kiss]]es; used on '''{{sc|YL}}''' networks as a sign-off
|
| sum of two [[Wire signal|92&nbsp;Codes]]
|-
| '''{{sc|30}}'''
| No more; this is the end; finished
| Not used in radiotelegraphy
| [[Wire signal|92&nbsp;Code]]
|-
| '''{{sc|72}}'''
| [[Valediction#Regards, kind regards, best regards|Best regards]]
| Amateur radio slang. While [[QRP operation|operating QRP]] / low power
| [[Wire signal|92&nbsp;Code]]
|-
| '''{{sc|73}}'''
| [[Valediction#Regards, kind regards, best regards|Best regards]]
|
| [[Wire signal|92&nbsp;Code]]
|-
| '''{{sc|75}}'''
| Derogatory term for a disliked operator (Referring to 75&nbsp;meter ham band)
| Amateur radio slang, USA only
|
|-
| '''{{sc|77}}'''
| Long Live CW (Morse Code), wishing you many happy CW contacts
|
|
|-
| '''{{sc|88}}'''
| [[Love]] and [[kiss]]es
|
| [[Wire signal|92&nbsp;Code]]
|-
| '''{{sc|99}}'''
| Get lost!
|
|
|}

== An amateur radio Morse code conversation example ==
To make Morse code communications faster and more efficient, there are many internationally agreed patterns or conventions of communication which include: extensive use of abbreviations, use of [[brevity code]]s such as [[92 Code]], [[RST code]], [[Q code]], [[Z code]] as well as the use of [[Prosigns for Morse code|Morse prosigns]]. The skills required to have efficient fast conversations with Morse comprise more than simply knowing the Morse code symbols for the alphabet and numerals. Skilled telegraphists must also know many traditional International Morse code communications conventions.

In the following example of a typical casual Morse code conversation between two stations there is extensive use of such: Morse code abbreviations, brevity codes, [[Prosigns for Morse code|Morse procedural signs]], and other such conventions.

An example casual Morse code (CW) conversation between Station&nbsp;S1ABC and Station&nbsp;S2YZ is illustrated in the following paragraphs. Here the actual Morse code information stream sent by each station (S1ABC and S2YZ) is shown in bold face small capitals type, and is followed below each bold face transmission by an indented ''interpretation'' of the message sent, together with short explanations of the codes. These translations and explanations are shown below each station's indicated transmission data stream.

{{grey|''S1ABC transmits an open call in Morse:''}}<br/>
{{sc|'''CQ CQ CQ DE S1ABC''' {{overline|RN}} '''K'''}}
:: Calling anyone ('''{{sc|CQ CQ CQ}}''') from ('''{{sc|DE}}''') station S1ABC.
:: End message ({{overline|{{sc|RN}} }}). Go ahead anyone ('''{{sc|K}}''').

{{grey|''S2YZ responds to the call by transmitting the short Morse reply:''}}<br/>
{{sc|'''S1ABC DE S2YZ'''}} {{overline| {{sc|KN}} }}

::To station S1ABC from station S2YZ. Over to you only.
:::{{grey|(}}{{overline|{{sc|KN}}}} = "{{morse|dash|dot|dash|dash|dot}}" {{grey|is the unofficial prosign for only inviting a reply from the station named in the message; it is the same as the code for open parentheses ['''('''] punctuation symbol.<ref name=ITU_rec_morse/>)}}

{{grey|''S1ABC transmits Morse message:''}}<br/>
{{sc|'''S2YZ DE S1ABC {{=}} GA DR OM UR RST 5NN HR {{=}} QTH ALMERIA  {{=}} OP IS JOHN {{=}} HW? S2YZ DE S1ABC''' {{overline|KN}} }}

:: To station S2YZ from station S1ABC.
::: {{grey|(Note that the equal signs ([}}'''='''{{grey|]}} = {{sc| {{overline|BT}} }} = {{morse|dash|dot|dot|dot|dash}}{{grey|) in the code should be interpreted here as the ''new section'' [[prosign]] which is also the symbol for a ''double hyphen'' [}}'''='''{{grey|].<ref name=ITU_rec_morse/> See discussion in [[#aside_shared_codes|subsection below]].)}}
:: Good afternoon 'dear old man' {{grey|(friendly address to other operator)}}
:: Your RST rating is 599 here (at my station)
::: {{grey|(Note:}} '''{{sc|RST}}''' {{grey|is the '''R'''eadability, '''S'''trength, and '''T'''one report code; the}} '''{{sc|N}}'''{{grey|s are abbreviations for the number}} '''9'''. '''{{sc|RST 5NN}}''' {{grey|reports the signal is very readable (}}'''5'''{{grey|) and very strong (}}'''{{sc|N}}'''{{grey|), with very good tone (}}'''{{sc|N}}'''{{grey|).}}

:: I'm located ('''{{sc|QTH}}''') in [[Almería]].
:: The station operator's ('''{{sc|OP}}''') name is John.
:: How do you copy my signal? ('''{{sc|HW?}}''')
:: To station S2YZ from station S1ABC:
:: Over to you only.

{{grey|''S2YZ transmits Morse message:''}}<br/>
{{sc|'''S1ABC DE S2YZ {{=}} TNX FB RPRT DR OM JOHN UR 559 {{=}} QTH BARCELONA {{=}} NM IS ANDY S1ABC DE S2YZ''' {{overline|KN}} }}

:: To station S1ABC from station S2YZ.
:: Thanks for the good report
::: {{grey|(}}'''{{sc|FB}}''' {{grey|or ''Fine Business'' means "good")}}
:: 'dear old man' John. You are [RST] 559.
::: {{grey|(very readable (}}'''5'''{{grey|), average strength (}}'''5'''{{grey|), very good tone (}}'''9'''{{grey|).)}}

:: I am in ('''{{sc|QTH}}''') [[Barcelona]]. <br/>
:: My name ('''{{sc|NM}}''') is Andy. <br/>
:: To station S1ABC from station S2YZ:
:: Over to you only.

{{grey|''S1ABC transmits Morse message:''}}<br/>
{{sc|'''S2 DE S1ABC {{=}} OK TNX QSO DR ANDY {{=}} 73 ES HPE CUAGN S2YZ DE S1ABC''' {{overline|KN}} }}

:: To station S2YZ from station S1ABC.
:: Okay, thanks for this conversation ('''{{sc|QSO}}'''), 'dear' Andy.
:: Best regards ('''73''') and ('''{{sc|ES}}''') hope ('''{{sc|HPE}}''') to see you again ('''{{sc|CUAGN}}''').
:: To station S2YZ from station S1ABC:
:: Over to you only.

{{grey|''S2YZ sends Morse message:''}}<br/>
{{sc|'''S1ABC DE S2YZ {{=}} R TU CUAGN 73 S1ABC DE S2YZ''' {{overline|RN}} {{overline|SK}} }}

:: To station S1ABC from station S2YZ.
:: Roger ('''{{sc|R}}''')
:: Thank you ('''{{sc|TU}}''') see you again ('''{{sc|CUAGN}}''')
:: Best regards ('''73''')
:: To station S1ABC from station S2YZ:
:: Signing off.
::: {{grey|(}}{{sc|{{overline|RN}}}} = "{{morse|dot|dash|dot|dash|dot}}", {{grey|is the ''end of message'' [[prosign]]; it means "this message finished")}}
::: {{grey|(}}{{sc|{{overline|SK}}}} = "{{morse|dot|dot|dot|dash|dot|dash}}", {{grey|is the ''end of work'' [[prosign]]; it means "no more messages" / "frequency is now clear")}}

==Aside on shared codes==
{{anchor|aside_shared_codes}}
In International Morse code there is no ''distinct'' dot-dash sequence defined only for the mathematical equal sign ['''=''']; rather the same code ({{morse|dash|dot|dot|dot|dash}} or ''dah di di di dah'') is shared by ''double hyphen'' ['''='''] and the [[Prosigns for Morse code|procedural sign]] for ''section separator'' notated as {{sc| {{overline|BT}} }}. It is fairly common in the ''Recommended International Morse Code'' for punctuation codes to be shared with prosigns. For example, the code for plus or cross (['''+'''] = {{morse|dot|dash|dot|dash|dot}}) is the same as the prosign for ''end of telegram'', and the widely used but non-[[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]] "Over to you only" prosign {{sc| {{overline|KN}} }} is the official code for open parentheses ['''('''] or ''left bracket''.<ref name=ITU_rec_morse>[[International Telecommunication Union]]. (2009-10). ''International Morse code ITU-R M.1677-1''. Geneva, Switzerland: ITU.</ref>

The listener is required to distinguish the meaning by context. In the example casual conversation between two station operators, above, the Morse transmissions show the equal sign ['''='''] in the same way that a simple electronic automatic Morse code reader with a one- or two-line display does: It can't distinguish context so it always displays the math symbol. It would also display an open parenthesis ['''('''] for the ''over to you only'' prosign ({{overline| {{sc|KN}} }} = {{morse|dash|dot|dash|dash|dot}}).

The use of the ''end of section'' prosign {{sc| {{overline|BT}} }} in casual exchanges essentially indicates a new paragraph in the text or a new sentence, and is a little quicker to send than a ''full stop'' (['''.'''] = {{morse|dot|dash|dot|dash|dot|dash}}) required in telegrams.

Normally an operator copying Morse code by hand or typewriter would decide whether the equal sign ['''='''] or the "new section" prosign {{sc| {{overline|BT}} }} was meant and start ''new paragraph'' in the recorded text upon reception of the code. This new paragraph copying convention is illustrated in the example conversation in the prior section.

When decoding in one's head, instead of writing text on paper or into a computer file, the receiving operator copying mentally will interpret the {{sc| {{overline|BT}} }} prosign for either a mental pause, or to jot down for later reference a short word or phrase from the information being sent.

== Informal language-independent conversations ==
''Rag chewer'' is a name applied to amateur radio Morse code operators who engage in informal Morse code conversations (known as ''chewing the rag'') while discussing subjects such as: The weather, their location, signal quality, and their equipment (especially the antennas being used).

Meaningful rag chewing between fluent Morse code operators having different native languages is possible because of a common language provided by the [[prosigns for Morse code]], the International [[Q code]], [[Z code]], [[RST code]], the telegraph era [[Phillips Code]] and [[Wire signal|92&nbsp;codes]], and many well known Morse code abbreviations including those discussed in this article. Together all of these traditional conventions serve as a somewhat cryptic but commonly understood language (Lingua Franca) within the worldwide community of amateur radio Morse code operators.

These codes and protocols efficiently encode many well known statements and questions from many languages into short simple character groups which may be tapped out very quickly. The international [[Q code]] for instance encodes literally hundreds of full normal language sentences and questions in short three character codes each beginning with the character&nbsp;'''{{sc|Q}}'''. For example, the code word {{nobr|'''{{sc|QTH}}''' ...}} means ''My transmitting location is''&nbsp;...&nbsp;, which radio operators typically take instead to mean ''My home is''&nbsp;...&nbsp;. If this code word is followed by a question mark as '''{{sc|QTH?}}''' it means ''What is your transmitting location?''

Typically very few full words will be spelled out in Morse code conversations. Similar to phone [[texting]], vowels are often left out to shorten transmissions and turn overs. Other examples, of internationally recognized uses of Morse code abbreviations and well known code numbers, such as those of the [[Phillips Code]] from past eras of telegraph technology, are abbreviations such as '''{{sc|WX}}''' for weather and '''{{sc|SX}}''' for dollar, and from [[wire signal]] codes, the numbers '''{{sc|73}}''' for ''best regards'' and '''{{sc|88}}''' for ''love and kisses''.

These techniques are similar to, and often faster than, texting on modern cellphones. Using this extensive [[lingua franca]] that is widely understood across many languages and cultures, surprisingly meaningful Morse code conversations can be efficiently conducted with short transmissions independently of native languages, even between operators who cannot actually communicate by voice because of language barriers.

With heavy use of the [[Q code]] and Morse code abbreviations, surprisingly meaningful conversations can readily occur. Note that in the preceding example conversation very few full English words have been used. In fact, in the above example S1 and S2 might not speak the same native language.
Although lengthy or detailed conversations could not, of course, be accomplished by radio operators with no common language.

[[Contesting|Contesters]] often use a very specialized and even shorter format for their contacts. Their purpose is to process as many contacts as possible in a limited time (e.g. 100&ndash;150&nbsp;contacts per hour).

==See also==
* [[92 Code]]
* [[ACP 131]]
* [[Brevity code]]
* [International] [[Morse code]]
* [[Prosigns for Morse code]]
* [[Phillips Code]]
* [[Q code]]
* [[R-S-T system|R-S-T System]]
* [[Z code]]
==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

{{Morse code}}

[[Category:Morse code]]
[[Category:Operating signals]]
[[Category:Brevity codes]]