2669: Q-Codes Apr 8, 2022

Morse code can be send fairly quickly, but as with any system, it eventually developed its own abbreviations. There were hundreds of these, but some were more particular than others. Q-codes are particular in two ways: all begin with the letter Q, and they have been designed for use various branches of the military, beginning in 1912. Although scores exist, the first dozen were various naval codes, each with a certain meaning depending on whether a question or answer. For instance:

•QRA: (question) What ship or coast station is that? (answer) This is...

•QRC: (question) What is your true bearing? (answer) true bearing is … degrees

These were later expanded, but always with a question-answer format.