What CW means
In ham radio, CW stands for “continuous wave,” the mode used to send Morse code by switching a signal on and off. It is not the same as the “CW” you might see in text messaging, where it often means “content warning.” Here it simply means Morse code over radio.
Why abbreviate
Morse code is slow compared with speech, so operators shorten common words and phrases. Abbreviations save time and are understood by operators worldwide, regardless of spoken language. Many are shortened English words, some are borrowed from older telegraph practice, and many are Q signals.
Common abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CQ | Calling any station |
| DE | From (as in “W1AW DE K1ABC”) |
| K | Go ahead, any station |
| KN | Go ahead, only the station called |
| R | Received / understood |
| ES | And |
| UR | Your / you are |
| RST | Signal report |
| RIG | Radio equipment |
| ANT | Antenna |
| WX | Weather |
| PSE | Please |
| AGN | Again |
| TNX or TKS | Thanks |
| TU | Thank you |
| OM | Old man (a friendly term for a male operator) |
| YL | Young lady (a female operator) |
| XYL | Wife |
| HR | Here |
| NR | Number or near |
| HW | How (as in “HW CPY?”) |
| CPY | Copy |
| FB | Fine business, meaning good |
| GM, GA, GE | Good morning, good afternoon, good evening |
| DX | Long-distance station |
| ABT | About |
| WID | With |
| HI | Laughter |
| 73 | Best regards |
| 88 | Love and kisses |
Many operators write these in capital letters, but the case does not matter when sent in Morse.
Prosigns
Prosigns (procedural signals) are sent as one run-together character and carry procedural meaning:
| Prosign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AR | End of message or transmission |
| SK | End of contact |
| KN | Over, only the named station should reply |
| BK | Break, for quick back-and-forth |
| AS | Wait, stand by |
| BT | Pause or separator between thoughts |
Q-codes used in CW
Some Q signals are especially common in CW: QTH for location, QRM for interference, QRS to ask for slower sending, QSY to change frequency, and QRT to stop. If you ask for QRS, expect the other operator to slow down.
Sample CW QSO decoded
CQ CQ CQ DE W1ABC W1ABC K
W1ABC DE K2XYZ K2XYZ KN
K2XYZ DE W1ABC TNX FER CALL ES GM OM UR RST 599 599 QTH BOSTON NAME BOB HW? K2XYZ DE W1ABC KNReading this:
- W1ABC calls CQ three times, identifies, and invites any reply with K.
- K2XYZ answers with KN, meaning only W1ABC should respond.
- W1ABC thanks the caller, says good morning, gives a 599 report, his location (Boston) and name (Bob), then asks “How copy?” and hands the contact back.
The call signs here are examples only. Real exchanges continue with the other operator’s report, name and location, then 73 and a closing prosign.
Numbers and cut numbers
In contests, N is often sent in place of 9, and T in place of 0, to speed up the exchange. A report of 599 becomes 5NN. See the RST chart guide for more.
Tips for learning
- Learn the sound of Morse characters first, then practise common words as whole sounds.
- Listen to real contacts and read along using this list.
- Start slowly. It is normal to ask for QRS.
- Keep a short cheat sheet beside your key until the abbreviations become automatic.
FAQ
What does CW mean in text slang?
In texting, “CW” most often means “content warning.” In ham radio, it means continuous wave, or Morse code.
What is a DX station in ham radio?
A DX station is a distant station, usually in another country or far across the world. Making contact with them is called working DX.
What does QRS mean?
QRS means “send more slowly.” A newer CW operator may use it to ask the other operator to reduce their sending speed.