CW reference • ITU-R M.1677-1
Morse code prosigns
Prosigns (procedural signals) are two characters sent without the inter-letter gap, forming a single sound shape that means a control or punctuation event in CW operation.
How to send a prosign
A prosign is sent as one continuous string of dits and dahs. For example, SK is … - · - sent as one shape, not as “S” then “K” with a gap. In typed Morse it is conventionally written with an overbar (SK̅) or simply as the joined letters.
Reference table
| Prosign | Code | Meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | .-.- | New line / line break | End of a line of plain text in a message. |
| AR | .-.-. | End of message (+) | End of a complete message; same code as the plus sign. |
| AS | .-... | Wait / standby | Stand by; I’ll be back shortly. |
| BK | -...-.- | Break | Invite the receiving station to transmit. |
| BT | -...- | New paragraph (=) | Pause / new paragraph; same code as equals sign. |
| CL | -.-..-.. | Going off the air | Closing the station; clearing the frequency. |
| CT | -.-.- | Start of transmission (KA) | Attention — start of a new transmission. |
| HH | ........ | Error | Disregard the previous group; eight dots. |
| KN | -.--. | Go ahead, named station | Only the named station should reply. |
| K | -.- | Go ahead (any station) | Invitation to transmit, any station. |
| R | .-. | Received / roger | Confirms receipt of the previous transmission. |
| SK | ...-.- | End of contact | Ending a QSO (radio contact). |
| SN | ...-. | Understood (VE) | Confirms understanding of a transmission. |
| SOS | ...---... | International distress | Sent as a single signal — distress only. |
Related references
Combine prosigns with the CW abbreviations and Q-codes to write efficient on-air messages. Practice by typing a sample message in the translator and listening with audio playback.