Abbreviations Used in CW Transmission

CW or continuous wave is a one of the methods of radio transmission using an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency. In this method of communication, a continuous carrier wave is switched on and off by using a keyer, called as a Morse key, invented by Samuel F. B. Morse. Because there is no modulation involved in CW, the range of communication is greater than other modes. CW is one of the early methods of radio communication using the language called the Morse code. There are many abbreviations or shortcuts used in CW communication, which helps in speedy exchange of messages between long distance stations. These abbreviations make communication through the CW enjoyable and also efficient within time constraints.

It is universal in its use and exchange of message is possible beyond land or language barrier. Even though CW is usually shunned by many people, this is the most versatile method of communication given the power of the CW and its simplicity. This is my favorite mode of transmission, and I use it especially during equipment testing phase and experimental chat.

Here is a list of abbreviations used in CW communication

AA - All after
AB - All before
ABT - About
ADEE - Addressee

ADV - Advice
ADR - Address

ADS - Address

AGN - Again

ANS - Answer
AM - Amplitude Modulation
ANT - Antenna

B - Be

B4 - Before
BCI - Broadcast Interference
BCL - Broadcast Listener
BCNU - Be seeing you

BCP - Beaucoup (French)

BD - Bad

BJR - Bonjour (French)
BK - Break; Break in

BTH - Both

BN - All between; Been
BT - Separation (break) between Address & text or between txt & signature
BTR - Better

BURO - Bureau
BUG - Semi-Automatic key
C - Yes; Correct

CB - Callbook

CBA - Callbook; Address book
CFM - Confirm; I confirm
CK - Check
CKT - Circuit
CL - Closed, I am closing my station or Call
CLBK - Callbook
CLD - Called
CLG - Calling

CMG - Coming
CNT - Can't
CONDX - Conditions

CONGRATS - Congratulations

CPI - Copy
CQ - Calling any station

CRD - Card

CS - Callsign
CU - See You

CUAGN - See you again

CUD - Could
CUL - See You later
CUM - Come

CUZ - Because
CW - Continuous wave
DA - Day
DE - From, This Is
DIFF - Difference
DLD - Delivered
DLVD - Delivered
DN - Down
DR - Dear

DSW - See you again (Russian)

DWN - Down

DX - Foreign Countries, Distance
EL - Element

ENUF - Enough
ES - And

EU - Europe

EVE - Evening
FB - Fine Business, excellent

FD - Field day
FER - For

FND - Find

FM - From

FONE - Telephony

FQ - Frequency

FREQ - Frequency

FWD - Forward
FM - Frequency Modulation; From
GA - Go ahead; Good Afternoon
GB - Good bye; God Bless
GD - Good; Good day
GE - Good Evening
GESS - Guess
GG - Going
GM - Good morning
GN - Good night
GND - Ground

GP - Ground plane

GS - Green stamp
GUD - Good
GV - Give
GVG - Giving
HAM - Radio Amateur

HH - Error in sending
HI - The telegraph laugh; High
HPE - Hope
HQ - Headquarters
HR - Here; Hear; Hour

HRD - Heard

HRS - Hours
HV - Have

HVG - Having

HVY - Heavy

HW - How; How Copy?
IMI - Repeat; Say Again
INFO - Information

INPT - Input

JA - Japan

K - Invitation to transmit

KLIX - Key clicks

KNW - Know
LID - A poor operator

LIS - Licensed

LNG - Long

LKG - Looking

LP - Long path

LSN - Listen
LTR - Later; letter
LV - Leave
LVG - Leaving

LW - Long wave
MA - Milli amperes

MCI -Merci (French)

MGR - Manager

MI - My

MILL - Typewriter
MILS - Milli Amperes

MNI - Many

MOM - Moment

MSG - Message; Prefix to radiogram

MULT - Multiplier; Multimeter
N - No; Negative; Incorrect; No More
NCS - Net Control Station
ND - Nothing Doing

NFD - National Field Day

NIL - Nothing; I have nothing for you
NM - No more
NR - Number; Near
NW - Now; I resume transmission

OB - Old boy
OC - Old chap

OK - All correct

OL - Old lady
OM - Old man
OP - Operator
OPR - Operator
OT - Old timer; Old top

OW - Old woman

PBL - Preamble
PKG - Package

PLSR - Pleasure
PSE - Please
PT - Point
PWR - Power
PX - Press
R - Received as transmitted; Are; Received OK
RC - Ragchew
RCD - Received
RCVR - Receiver
RE - Concerning; Regarding
REF - Refer to; Referring to; Reference
RFI - Radio frequency interference
RIG - Station equipment
RPT - Repeat; Report
RTTY - Radio teletype
RST - Readability; strength; tone
RX - Receive; Receiver

SA - Say

SASE - Self addressed stamped envelope
SED - Said
SEZ - Says

SGD - Signed

SHD - Should

SIG - Signature; Signal
SINE - Operator's personal initials or nickname

SK - Silent key

SKED - Schedule

SN - Soon

SP Short path

SRI - Sorry
SS - Sweepstakes
SSB - Single Side Band
STN - Station
SUM - Some
SVC - Service; Prefix to service message

SWL - Short wave listener

TEMP  Temperature

TEST  Test; Contest

TFC - Traffic
THRU - through

TIL - Until

TKS - Thanks
TMW - Tomorrow
TNX - Thanks
TRBL - Trouble

TRX - Transceiver

TR - Transmit; Transmit/Receive
TRIX - Tricks
TT - That
TTS - That is
TU - Thank you
TVI - Television interference
TX - Transmitter; Transmit
TXT - Text
U - You

UFB - Ultra fine business

UNLIS - Unlicensed

UP - Upward

UR - Your; You're
URS - Yours

VFB - Very fine business
VFO - Variable Frequency Oscillator
VERT - Vertical

VX - Vieux (French)

VY - Very

W - Watts
WA - Word after
WB - Word before

WD - Word
WDS - Words
WID - With
WKD - Worked
WKG - Working
WL - Well; Will

WPM - Words Per Minute
WRD - Word

WRI - Worry
WUD - Would
WX- Weather

XCVR - Transceiver

XMAS - Christmas

XMTR - Transmitter
XTAL - Crystal
XYL - Wife

YF - Wife

YL - Young lady
YR - Year

Z - Zulu time (UTC)

30 - I have no more to send

33 - Fondest regards

55 - Best sucess
73 - Best Regards
88 - Love and kisses
161 - 73+88=161

Wish a good CW keying!