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Radio Codes

Long Range Radio Systems

Radio conversations, both broadcasted and depicted in films, often incorporate complex codes. These codes, initially developed to economize air time and eliminate recurring phrases, can be challenging to comprehend. Morse Code was the initial method due to early radio equipment constraints. Even as radio technology evolved to facilitate voice communication, codes remained a prevalent tool to rapidly transmit customary messages. These codes are frequently employed by policing and firefighting units, and gained prominence during the CB radio phenomenon in the 1970s.

Radio Codes

    
 

900 Codes

 

10 Codes

900Radio Silence10-1Receiving Poorly
901Accident10-2Receiving Clearly
904Message Received10-3Radio Check
908Out of Service10-4Message Received
909In Service10-6Busy
910Prowler10-7Out of Service
910AProwler Still On Scene10-8In Service
911Vehicle Stop10-9Repeat Last Message
912Suspicious Person10-10Off Duty
916Domestic10-11Send Back Up
917Drinking In Public10-13Emergency Back Up
918Person Screaming for Help10-15Prisoner
922Drunk Person10-15XFemale Prisoner
923Stand By10-18Report Information Needed
924Go to Station10-19Return to Base
926Your Location10-20Location
927Repeat Your Last Transmission10-21Phone Call
935Registration Inquiry10-22Cancel Last Message
936Stolen Vehicle Inquiry10-23Stand By
937Wanted Person Inquiry10-27Check License Status
938Cancel10-28Check Registration Status
939Wanted Use Caution10-29Check for Wants / Warrants
940Meet Officer At …10-33Emergency Radio Traffic Only
945Ambulance Needed10-34Cancel 10-33
946Tow Truck Needed10-36Confidential Information Follows
947Fire Truck Needed10-36AUse CAUTION – Suspect Has Aids or Other Dangerous Disease
950Take a Report10-36MSuspect Has Misdemeanor Warrant
971Be On The Lookout For …10-36FSuspect Has Felony Warrant
999Officer Needs Help10-97Arriving at Assignment
  10-98Assignment Complete
 Walkie Talkie  
 

11 Codes

  
11-10Take A Report  
11-19In Route To Station  
11-41Ambulance Needed  
11-44Dead Body (Human or Animal)  
11-48Suspicious Vehicle  
11-55Suspicious Person  
11-57Provide Transportation  
11-80Accident With Major Injuries  
11-81Accident With Minor Injuries  
11-82Accident With Property Damage  
11-83Accident No Details  
11-85Tow Truck Needed  
11-98Meet Officer  
11-99OFFICER IN DANGER, NEED HELP NOW!  
    
 

Other Codes

  
A.D.W.Assault With A Deadly Weapon 
A.K.A.Also Known As  
A.O.D.Assist Other Department  
B.A.Burglar Alarm  
B.A.C.Blood Alcohol Content  
B & EBreaking & Entering  
B.O.L.Be On the Lookout for …  
C.A.D.computer Aided Dispatching  
C.C.W.Carry Concealed Weapon  
C.H.P.California Highway Patrol  
C.L.E.T.S.California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
C.O.N.Call Of Nature (restroom break)  
C.V.CCalifornia Vehicle Code  
C.P.Command Post  
C.R.A.S.H.Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums
C.Y.A.California Youth Authority / Cover Your @$$ 
D.O.A.Dead On Arrival  
D.O.B.Date Of Birth  
D.O.J.Department of Justice  
D.L.Driver’s License  
D.P.S.Department of Public Safety  
D.U.I.Driving Under the Influence  
D.W.I.Driving While Intoxicated (obsolete) 
E.M.T.Emergency Medical Technician  
E.O.W.End of Watch (death or off duty)  
E.P.O.Emergency Protection Order  
E.T.A.Estimated Time of Arrival  
F.I.Field Interview / Field Interrogation 
F.L.I.R.Forward Looking Infra Red  
F.S.T.Field Sobriety Test  
F.T.A.Failure To Appear (In Court)  
F.Y.I.For Your Information  
G.B.H.Great Bodily Harm  
G.B.I.Great Bodily Injury  
G.O.AGone On Arrival  
G.S.W.Gun Shot Wound  
G.T.A.Grand Theft Auto  
H.B.DHas Been Drinking (Alcohol)  
H & SIllegal Narcotics / Drugs  
I.C.C.Incident Command Center I.C. with FEMA
M.O.Motus Operandi (Method of Operation) 
M.V.A.Motor Vehicle Accident  
N.C.I.C.National Crime Information Center 
O.C.Oleoresin Capsicum (Pepper Spray) 
O.I C.Officer In Charge  
P.A.S.Preliminary Alcohol Screener  
P.C.Penal Code / Probable Cause  
P.I.T.Pursuit Intervention Technique (Maneuver) 
P.N.O.Planned Non Operation (Motor Vehicle) 
P.O.P.Team Problem Orientated Policing (Normally An Anti-Gang Team)
R.O.Registered Owner  
R.P.Reporting Person  
S.W.A.T.Special Weapons & Tactics  
T.A.Traffic Accident  
T.C.Traffic Collision  
V.C.Vehicle Code (CVC)  
    
    
Code 1Respond At Your Convenience  
Code 2Respond Immediately  
Code 3Respond to Emergency!  
Code 4No Further Assistance Needed  
Code 5Stake Out  
Code 6Coffee Break  
Code 7Meal Break  
Code 8Officer’s Residence  
Code 9Officer Needs Immediate Backup 
Code 33Emergency Radio Traffic Only  
Code BlueHeart Attack  
    
BeatArea Patrol Officer Assigned to Patrol & Answer Calls For Service
CiteCitation (Ticket)  
CrankTerm for Methamphetamine (Meth, Speed, Ice)
HookTow Truck  
K-9Dog  
Land SharkGuard Dog  
WireConcealed Microphone  
    

Amateur Radio Q Codes

    
CodeQuestion Answer, Advice or Command
QRGWhat is my exact frequency? Your frequency is _____ KHz.
QRHDoes my frequency drift? Your frequency does drift.
QRIHow is the tone of my transmission?The tone of your transmission is (1) Good, (2) Variable, (3) Bad.
QRJAre you receiving me poorly?  Are my signals weak?Reception is poor.
QRKWhat is my legibility? (1 – 5) Legibility is _____.  (Range of 1-bad to 5-perfect)
QRLAre you busy? I am busy or busy with _____.
QRMAre you receiving interference? I am receiving interference.
QRNAre you receiving static? I am receiving static.
QRODo I need more power? Increase power.
QRPShould I decrease power? Decrease power
QRQShould I send (code) faster? Send faster at ___ W.P.M.
QRSShould I send (code) slower? Send slower at ___ W.P.M
QRTShould I quit? Quit – Off the air.
QRUDo you have anything for me? I have nothing for you.
QRVAre you ready? I am ready.
QRWShould I advise _____ that you are calling him on _____ KHzPlease advise _____ that I am on _____KHz.
QRXWill you call again? I will call again at _____ hours/day on ____KHz.
QRZWho is calling? You are being called by _____
QSAWhat is my signal strength (1-9) Your signal strength is _____. (1 – 9)
QSBDoes my signal strength vary? Your signal strength varies.
QSDIs my code transmission good? Your keying is poor, signals bad
QSGCan I send ___ telegrams now? Send ____ telegrams now.
QSKCan I send the balance of the messages?Continue sending messages.
QSLCan you acknowledge receipt? Receipt is acknowledged.
QSMShould I repeat the last message?Repeat the last message.
QSOCan you communicate with _____?I can communicate with _____.
QSPWill you relay message to _____?I will relat message to _____.
QSVShall I send a series of Vs? Send a series of Vs.
QSXWill you listen for _____ on _____KHz?I am listening for _____ on _____KHz.
QSYShould I change frequency? Change frequency to _____KHz.
QSZShould I send each word (or group) twice?Send each word (or group) twice.
QTAShould I cancel message? Cancel message.
QTBDo you agree with my word count?No. I will repeat the first letter of each word & first figure of each number.
QTCHow may messages do you have?I have ___ messages to be sent.
QTHWhat is your location? My location is _____.
QTRWhat is the exact time? The exact time is _____.
QSTDo you have an announcement? General announcement is “………..”.
QRRRDo you have an emergency? I have an emergency.  The emergency is _____.
 Other Amateur Codes  
CQCalling any station Common on HF bands
DEFrom Followed by the callsign

Phonetic Alphabets

Letter1943 CCB (US-UK)NATO (Jan 1 – Feb 29, 1956)NATO (Mar 1, 1956 to Present)US Army 1916-1939US Army 1939-1941US Army 1941-1943US Army 1943-1955US Army 1955 – Present
AAbleAlfaAlfaAbleAfirmAfirmAbleAlpha
BBakerBravoBravoBoyBakerBakerBakerBravo
CCharlieCharlieCharlieCastCastCastCharlieCharlie
DdogDeltaDeltaDockDogDogDogDelta
EEasyEchoEchoEasyEasyEasyEasyecho
FFoxFoxtrotFoxtrotFoxFoxFoxFoxFoxtrot
GGeorgeGolfGolfGeorgeGeorgeGeorgeGeorgeGolf
HHowHotelHotelHaveHypoHypoHowHotel
IItemIndiaIndiaItemInterInter*ItemIndia
JJigJuliettJuliettJigJigJigJigJuliett
KKingKiloKiloKingKingKingKingKilo
LLoveLimaLimaLoveLoveLoveLoveLima
MMikeMikeMikeMikeMikeMikeMikeMike
NNanNectarNovemberNanNegatNegatNanNovember
OOboeOscarOscarOpalOptionOptionOboeOscar
PPeterPapaPapaPupPrepPrepPeterPapa
QQueenQuebecQuebecQuackQueenQueenQueenQuebec
RRogerromeoromeoRushRogerRogerRogerRomeo
SSugarSierraSierraSailSailSailSugarSierra
TTareTangoTangoTareTareTareTareTango
UUncleUniformUniformUnitUnitUnitUncleUniform
VVictorVictorVictorViceVictorVictorVictorVictor
WWilliamWhiskeyWhiskeyWatchWilliamWilliamWilliamWhiskey
XXrayX-rayX-rayX-rayXrayXrayXrayX-ray
YYokeYankeeYankeeYokeYokeYokeYokeYankee
ZZebraZuluZuluZedZedZedZebraZulu
0Zero   ZeroZeroZero 
1Wun   WunWunWun 
2Too   TooTooToo 
3Thuh-ree   Th-r-eeTh-r-eeThuh-ree 
4Fo-wer   Fo-werFo-werFo-wer 
5Fi-yiv   Fi-ivFi-yivFi-yiv 
6Six   SiksSiksSix 
7Seven   Sev-venSev-venSeven 
8Ate   AteAteAte 
9Niner   Ni-yenNi-yenNiner 
         
*  Interrogatory was used in lieu of “Inter” in joint Army / Navy (JAN) operations  
LetterUS Navy 1908 Ver AUS Navy 1908 Ver BUS Navy 1913-1926US Navy 1927-1937US Navy 1938US Navy WWIIUS Navy 1956 – Present
AActorAshAbleAfirmAfirmAfirmAlfa
BBakerBackBoyBakerBakerBakerBravo
CCarteenChainCastCastCastCharlieCharlie
DDiverDogDogDogDogDogDelta
EEagleEggEasyeasyeasyeasyEcho
FFisherFoxFoxFoxFoxFoxFoxtrot
GgangwayGigGeorgeGeorgeGeorgeGeorgeGolf
HHalliardHorseHaveHypoHypoHowHotel
IInsectIceItemIntIntIntIndia
JJockeyJakeJigJigJigJigJuliett
KKnapsackKingKingKingKingKingKilo
LLuggerLashLoveLoveLoveLoveLima
MMusketMuleMikeMikeMikeMikeMike
NNeptunenetNanNegatNegatNegatNovember
OOysterOakOboeOptionOptionOptionOscar
PPistolPagePupPrepPrepPrepPapa
QQuadrantQuailQuackQuackQueenQueenQuebec
RReeferRaftRushRogerRogerRogerRomeo
SShipmateScoutSailSailSailSugarSierra
TTopsailTideTareTareTareTareTango
UUnloadUseUnitUnitUnitUncleUniform
VVesselVastViceViceVictorVictorVictor
WWindageWinchWatchWilliamWilliamWilliamWhiskey
XXrayXrayX-rayX-rayX-rayXrayX-ray
YYeomanYachtYokeYokeYokeYokeYankee
ZZebraZooZedZedZedZebraZulu
LetterJoint Army / Navy (JAN) 1941-1943CCB    1943-1955ICAO  1956-PresentRAF   1921-1942RAF   1942-1955RAF   1921-1942
AAbleAbleAlfaAppleAble/AffirmAlfa
BBakerBakerBravobeerBakerBravo
CCharlieCharlieCharlieCharlieCharlieCharlie
DDogDogDeltaDonDogDelta
EEasyEasyEchoEdwardEasyEcho
FFoxFoxFoxtrotFreddieFoxFoxtrot
GgeorgegeorgeGolfGeorgeGeorgeGolf
HHowHowHotelHarryHowHotel
IItemItemIndiaInkItemIndia
JJigJigJuliettJug/JohnnieJig/JohnnyJuliett
KKingKingKiloKingKingKilo
LLoveLoveLimaLondonLoveLima
MMikeMikeMikeMonkeyMikeMike
NNanNanNovemberNutsNan/NabNovember
OOboeOboeOscarOrangeOboeOscar
PPeterPeterPapaPipPeter/PrepPapa
QQueenQueenQuebecQueenQueenQuebec
RRogerRogerRomeoRobertRogerRomeo
SSail/SugarSugarSierraSugarSugarSierra
TTareTareTangoTocTareTango
UUncleUncleUniformUncleUncleUniform
VVictorVictorvictorVicVictorVictor
WWilliamWilliamWhiskyWilliamWilliamWhiskey
XX-rayXrayX-rayX-RayX-rayX-ray
YYokeYokeYankeeYorkerYokeYankee
ZZebraZebraZuluZebraZebraZulu
0ZeroZeroZero   
1OneWunWun   
2TwoTooToo   
3ThreeThuh-reeTree   
4FourFo-werFower   
5FiveFi-yivFife   
6SixSixSiks   
7SevenSevenSeven   
8EightAteAte   
9NineNinerNiner   
       
LetterBritish Army   1904British Army   1914British Army   1914-1918British Army  1918British Army  1956-PresentRoyal Navy   1914-1918Royal Navy   1921Royal Navy   1956 – Present
AAckAckApplesAckAlfaApplesAcAlfa
BBeerbeerButterBeerBravoButterBeerBravo
CCorkCCharlieCorkcharlieCharlieCharlieCharlie
DDonDonDuffDonDeltaDuffDonDelta
EeddyEEdwardEddyEchoEdwardEdwardEcho
FFreddyFFreddieFreddyFoxtrotFreddyFoxFoxtrot
GGeorgeGGeorgeGeorgeGolfGeorgeGeorgeGolf
HHarryHHarryHarryHotelHarryHowHotel
IInkIInkInkIndiaInkInkIndia
JJugJJohnnieJugJuliettJohnnieJohnnieJuliett
KKingKKingKingKiloKingKingKilo
LLondonLLondonLondonLimaLondonLoveLima
MEmmaEmmaMonkeyEmmaMikeMonkeyMonkeyMike
NNutsNNutsNutsNovemberNutsNanNovember
OOrangeOOrangeOrangeOscarOrangeOrangeOscar
PPipPipPuddingPipPapaPuddingPipPapa
QQuadQQueenieQuadQuebecQueenieQueenQuebec
RRobertRRobertRovertRomeoRobertRobertRomeo
SEssesEssesSugarEssesSierraSugarSugarSierra
TTocTocTommyTocTangoTommyTocTango
UUncleUUncleUncleUniformUncleUncleUniform
VVicVicVinegarVicVictorVinegarVicVictor
WWilliamWWilliamWilliamWhiskyWilliamWilliamWhisky
XXerxesXX-RayXerxesX-rayXerxesX-rayX-ray
YUellowYYorkerYellowYankeeYellowYokeYankee
ZZebraZedZebraZebraZuluZebraZebraZulu
LetterNATOPhonicAPCO   1941APCO   1967LAPDCHPLV       MPDAPCO   1974ICAO   Present 
 
AAlphaAl FahAdamAdamAdamAdamAdamAlphaAlfa 
BBravoBrah VohBoyBoyBoyBoyBakerBravoBravo 
CCharlieChar LeeCharlesCharlesCharlesCharlesCharlieCharlieCharlie 
DDeltaDell TahDavidDavidDavidDavidDavidDeltaDelta 
EEchoEck OhEdwardEdwardEdwardEdwardEasyEchoEcho 
FFoxtrotFoks TrotFrankFrankFrankFrankFrankFoxtrotFoxtrot 
GGolfGolfGeorgeGeorgeGeorgeGeorgeGeorgeGolfGolf 
HHotelHoh TellHenryHenryHenryHenryHenryHotelHotel 
IIndiaIn Dee AhIdaIdaIdaIdaIdaIndiaIndia 
JJuliettJew Lee EttJohnJohnJohnJohnJohnJuliettJuliett 
KKiloKey LohKingKingKingKingKingKiloKilo 
LLimaLee MahLincolnLincolnLincolnLincolnLincolnLimaLima 
MMikeMikeMaryMaryMaryMaryMaryMikeMike 
NNovemberNo VemberNoraNoraNoraNoraNoraNovemberNovember 
OOscarOss CahOceanOceanOceanOceanOceanOscarOscar 
PPapaPah PahPaulPaulPaulPaulPaulPapaPapa 
QQuebecKeh BeckQueenQueenQueenQueenQueenQuebecQuebec 
RRomeoRow Me OhRobertRobertRobertRobertRobertRomeoRomeo 
SSierraSee AirrahSamSamSamSamSamSierraSierra 
TTangoTang OhTomTomTomTomTomTangoTango 
UUniformYou Nee FormUnionUnionUnionUnionUnionUniformUniform 
VVictorVik TahVictorVictorVictorVictorVictorVictorVictor 
WWhiskeyWiss KeyWilliamWilliamWilliamWilliamWilliamWhiskeyWhiskey 
XX-rayEcks RayXrayX-rayX-rayX-rayX-rayXrayX-ray 
YYankeeYang KeeYoungYoungYoungYellowYellowYankeeYankee 
ZZuluZoo LooZebraZebraZebraZebraZebraZuluZulu 
0   ZEROZero   Zero 
1   WUNOne   Wun 
2   TOOTwo   Too 
3   TH-R-EEThree   Tree 
4   FO-WERFour   Fower 
5   FIE-YIVFive   Five 
6   SIKSSix   Six 
7   SEV-VENSeven   Seven 
8   ATEEight   Eight 
9   NI-YENNiner   Niner 
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