Common CB Codes.
The Phonetic Alphabet.
When communicating with other people - particularly over radio, telephone, etc - there will be times when you may not be clear and your words may be misunderstood. Also, when stating letters or spelling words out, some letters sound similar (eg. M and N) and confusion may occur.
In order to avoid mistakes, each letter of the alphabet can be represented by a word that makes it clear which letter you are saying. Below, is the accepted international phonetic alphabet.
Letter: Word:
A Alpha
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliet
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X X-Ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu
10 Codes.
The Ten codes used on CB are mainly the same around the World, but differ from those which may be used by some police.
Ten Codes may not often be used now, but you may occasionally hear people still using some of them.
Code Meaning
10-1 Poor reception.
10-2 Good reception.
10-3 Stop transmitting.
10-4 Message received.
10-5 Relay message.
10-6 Stand by.
10-7 Off air.
10-8 On air - ready for calls.
10-9 Repeat message.
10-10 Standing by.
10-13 Advise of weather or road conditions.
10-20 Location.
10-32 Radio check
10-36 Correct time.
10-100 Need toilet.
Q Codes.
The international Q codes are intended to be used to shorten sentences when working with CW. Each code can be used to convey a question, reply, request or statement. When used as a question or request for information, the code will be followed by a question mark.
Q codes are not often used on CB radio, but you may occasionally hear them.
Code: Meaning
QRK Readability of signal.
QRL Busy.
QRM Man made interference.
QRN Natural interference such as static.
QRO Increase power / High power.
QRP Reduce power / Low power.
QRQ Send faster / shall I send faster?
QRS Send slower / shall I send slower?
QRT Stop transmitting / close down.
QRX Stand by.
QRZ Who is calling?
QSA What is my signal strength? / Your signal strength is...
QSB Is my signal fading? / your signal is fading.
QSL Confirm radio contact.
QSO Contact, communication.
QSY Shall I change frequency? / Change frequency.
QTH Location.
