Q-Codes
dont let the size of the list intimidate you... only a half dozen get used regularly.. here are some of the more well-used ones:
QRM .. interference.. as in another station
QRN.. static or other atmospheric noise.
QSY... change frequency as. in this is N6DTE QSYing to 447.250...
QSL... acknowledgement and also a QSL Card is something you get when you contact a friend and he gives you a card.. or you contact on HF "shortwave" a really rare country and get a card after waiting for months!!
and an "eyeball QSO" is talking to someone face to face... no radios.... over the air it is a QSO... can be voice or CW or even RTTY
QRX is "wait a minute"
QST is a call to all stations listening... often part of a net operation where there is a message to everyone.. I.e QST next week The Santa Cruz club is haveing a special meeting etc etc.. it is also the name of the ARRL magazine that has been around for ever..
QTH is what is your location? .... or my location is...
And a more complete list here:
QRA What is your callsign? (callsign)
QRG What is my exact frequency? (this freq)
QRH Does my frequency vary?
QRI What is my signal tone quality? (1-3)
QRK What is my signal intelligibility? (1-5)
QRL Are you (or this freq) busy? (This freq. is busy)
QRM Is my transmission being interfered with? (signal interference)
QRN Are you troubled by static? (static, atmospheric noise)
QRO Shall I increase transmitter power? (increase power, high powered)
QRP Shall I decrease transmitter power? (decrease power, low powered)
QRQ Shall I send faster?
QRS Shall I send slower? (send slower)
QRT Shall I stop sending? (stop transmitting)
QRU Do you have any messages for me? (I have no messages for you)
QRV Are you ready? (I am ready to transmit)
QRW Shall I tell __ (callsign) you're calling him?
QRX When will you call me again? (wait, standby)
QRZ Who is calling me? (anyone answering my transmission)
QSA What is my signal strength? (1-5)
QSB Are my signals fading? (signals are fading)
QSD Is my keying defective?
QSG Shall I send __ messages at a time?
QSK Can you work break-in? (break-in operation)
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt? (I confirm receipt of message)
QSM Shall I repeat the last message I sent?
QSO Can you communicate with this station? (radio contact between stations)
QSP Will you relay to __?
QST A general call preceding messages to all radio operators (info, news).
QSV Shall I send a series of V's?
QSW Will you transmit on __?
QSX Will you listen on __ (freq)?
QSY Shall I change frequency? (change frequency)
QSZ Shall I send each word/group more than once?
QTH What is your location? (station location)
QTR What is your correct time?
QTX Will you keep your station open for further communication with me?
Notes
Q-signals are three letter combinations used to represent common phrases or sentences for CW operation. They may be used as a question with a question mark (?) or statement without the question mark. For example, "QRZ?" is used to ask for the calling station(s) to identify again. "Please (pse) QRS" is used as a request to send the code at a slower speed. "The QTH is" is used to indicate this station's location.
Although originally used for CW, many Q-signals have become acceptable for phone operation.
Non Q-Signal CW Radiotelegraph Abbreviations:
73 -- Best Regards.
88 -- Love and Kisses.
YL -- Young Lady meaning Unmarried Lady; also any female ham radio operator.
XYL -- Ex-Young Lady, meaning a Married Lady; usually refers to a ham's wife.
OM -- Old Man, any male ham radio operator.
For a complete list of Q-codes, check the wikipedia page here