CW abbreviation · Operating
RST in Morse code
Standard 3-digit signal report: Readability 1–5, Strength 1–9, Tone 1–9.
Morse rendering
.-. ... -
Sent letter-by-letter with standard inter-letter gaps.
Meaning
RST — Signal report (Readability/Strength/Tone)
When this is used
On CW you always send three digits (TONE is included); on phone you drop the T and send only two. '599' is the universal contest report; '5NN' is the same with N-shapes substituted for 9 to save keying time.
Examples
| On the air | Plain English |
|---|---|
| UR RST 599 | Your signal: perfect readability, strong, clean tone. |
| RST 5NN | Same as 599 in contest shorthand. |
| RST 449 | Readability 4, strength 4, clean tone. |
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