ITU-R M.1172 - Maritime mobile service miscellaneous abbreviations and signals - 1995

Sep 4, 2026

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Recommendation ITU-R M.1172 (1995) defines miscellaneous abbreviations and signals for radiocommunications in the maritime mobile service. It establishes how Q code series are arranged (QOA to QUZ), including reservation for maritime use, optional affirmative/negative meanings using C or NO, and how additional groups can complete meanings. The text specifies question/answer usage rules for radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony, guidance on numbered alternative significations, time presentation in UTC, and the meaning of an asterisk referencing the International Code of Signals. Annex 1 provides the structured abbreviation set and sample question/answer formats.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages33

Reading Time1 h 23 min

AccessFree to download

Annex 1

Section I. Q Code

Introduction

Abbreviations available for the maritime mobile service

List of abbreviations in alphabetical order

Rec. ITU-R M.1172 1 RECOMMENDATION ITU-R M. 1172* MISCELLANEOUS ABBREVIATIONS AND SIGNALS TO BE USED FOR RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS IN THE MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE (1995) The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly, considering a) that there is a need to describe miscellaneous abbreviations and signals to be used in the maritime mobile service, recommends 1 that the use of miscellaneous abbreviations and signals for radiocommunications in the maritime mobile service be in accordance with Annex 1. ANNEX 1 Miscellaneous abbreviations and signals to be used for radiocommunications in the maritime mobile service Section I. Q Code Introduction 1 The series of groups listed in this Annex range from QOA to QUZ. 2 The QOA to QQZ series are reserved for the maritime mobile service. 3 Certain Q code abbreviations may be given an affirmative or negative sense by sending, immediately following the abbreviation, the letter C or the letters NO (in radiotelephony spoken as: CHARLIE or NO) . 4 The meanings assigned to Q code abbreviations may be amplified or completed by the appropriate addition of other groups, call signs, place names, figures, numbers, etc. It is optional to fill in the blanks shown in parentheses. Any data which are filled in where blanks appear shall be sent in the same order as shown in the text of the following tables. 5 Q code abbreviations are given the form of a question when followed by a question mark in radiotelegraphy and RQ (ROMEO QUEBEC) in radiotelephony. When an abbreviation is used as a question and is followed by additional or complementary information, the question mark (or RQ) should follow this information. 6 Q code abbreviations with numbered alternative significations shall be followed by the appropriate figure to indicate the exact meaning intended. This figure shall be sent immediately following the abbreviation. 7 All times shall be given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) unless otherwise indicated in the question or reply. 8 An asterisk * following a Q code abbreviation means that this signal has a meaning similar to a signal appearing in the International Code of Signals. * This Recommendation should be brought to the attention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) . 2 Rec. ITU-R M.1172 Abbreviations Available for the Maritime Mobile Service A. List of Abbreviations in Alphabetical Order | Abbre
viation | Question | Answer or Advice | | --- | --- | --- | | QOA | Can you communicate by radiotelegraphy (500 kHz)? | I can communicate by radiotelegraphy (500 kHz) . | | QOB | Can you communicate by radiotelephony (2 182 kHz)? | I can communicate by radiotelephony (2 182 kHz) . | | QOC | Can you communicate by radiotelephony (channel 16 – frequency 156.80 MHz)? | I can communicate by radiotelephony (channel 16 – frequency 156.80 MHz) . | | QOD | Can you communicate with mein …
0. Dutch 5. Italian
1. English 6. Japanese
2. French 7. Norwegian
3. German 8. Russian
4. Greek 9. Spanish? | I can communicate with you in …
0. Dutch 5. Italian
1. English 6. Japanese
2. French 7. Norwegian
3. German 8. Russian
4. Greek 9. Spanish. | | QOE | Have you received the safety signal sent by … (name and/or callsign)? | I have received the safety signal sent by … (name and/or callsign) . | | QOF | What is the commercial quality of my signals? | The quality of your signals is …
1. not commercial
2. marginally commercial
3. commercial. | | QOG | How many tapes have you to send? | I have … tapes to send. | | QOH | Shall I send a phasing signal for … seconds? | Send a phasing signal for … seconds. | | QOI | Shall I send my tape? | Send your tape. | | QOJ | Will you listen on … kHz (or MHz) for signals of emergency position-indicating radiobeacons? | I am listening on … kHz (or MHz) for signals of emergency position-indicating radiobeacons. | Rec. ITU-R M.1172 3 | Abbre
viation | Question | Answer or Advice | | --- | --- | -

FAQs

What is ITU-R M.1172 used for in the maritime mobile service?

It specifies miscellaneous abbreviations and signals to be used for radiocommunications in the maritime mobile service, following Annex 1.

How are affirmative or negative meanings added to Q code abbreviations?

Affirmative or negative sense can be expressed by sending C or NO immediately after the abbreviation.

When should times be given in this Recommendation?

Times must be provided in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) unless otherwise indicated in the question or reply.

Sep 4, 2026

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