Random Canuck 🍁😷 💉 VE3ZDN

My latest post in my series on studying for my Amateur Operating Certificate is up! Last night's class focused on station operation and was a BIG bite. I'm going to have to study this chapter a couple of times, I think, especially the Q-codes, which are stymying me.

https://dougnix.net/2025/11/14/step-by-step-class-12/

#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #Canada #Canadian #RAC #BasicCertificateCourse #AlPenny

Nov 14 at 4:02pmWeb
Show threadChris SmartNov 14
@RandomCanuck If I remember this right, Q codes were developed for CW operators. They don't necessarily need to be used verbally, QSL? :)
Show threadRandom Canuck 🍁😷 💉 VE3ZDNNov 14
@VE3RWJ True, BUT they're in the current question bank, and thus could be on the exam I pull. Some are used on voice communications, but to a limited extent compared to CW communications. In any case, I plan to pursue my CW qualification once I obtain my basic certification, and then, maybe in a year or so, I'll pursue the advanced qualification.
Show threadChris SmartNov 14

@RandomCanuck Awesome. Best of luck. I really like CW.
You may wish to bookmark www.longislandcwclub.org for later.

The ones I hear on the air in voice conversations are:
QSL: confirmation.
QSO: conversation.
QTH: location.
QRM: man-made interfearance, QRN: natural interfearance. (think m/man n/nature)

Show threadW6KMENov 14

@RandomCanuck A good thing to know is that there are only 2-3 Q codes most hams use. They aren't meant for phone or voice, they're for Morse code. It's actually kinda annoying when people drop them all over the place.

Ham radio is about plain language.

Show threadRandom Canuck 🍁😷 💉 VE3ZDNNov 14
@W6KME QSO, QSL, and QTH would be the main ones I think, but here's the thing: The ISED question bank contains more than that, and since my exam will randomly pull from the QB, there's a selection that I have to know, no matter what. I don't want to miss out on my Basic with Honours Cert because I tripped over a Q-code.
Show threadW6KMENov 14

@RandomCanuck I'll fill my answer out a bit...the good thing is you don't need to know Q codes, beyond whatever it takes to get past the test.

I understand that when preparing for the test, everything on it seems important, and that's fine. Once people pass, they become *operators* and that defines what is important.

That was what I meant my message to be-do what you have to do to pass, but don't feel bad if you aren't becoming fluent in Q-codespeak, because it doesn't matter much.