Q-code · CW operating
QTR in Morse code
Asks for the time, usually UTC. Less used on ham bands now that smartphones exist, but still common in formal nets.
Morse rendering
--.- - .-.
QTR sent as a normal three-letter group (inter-letter gaps included).
As a question
QTR? — What is the correct time?
As an answer
QTR — The correct time is …
When this is used
Amateur radio time is UTC ('Zulu'). 'QTR 1430Z' = 14:30 UTC. NTS traffic-handling nets always log message times in UTC using QTR-style fields.
Examples
| On the air | Plain English |
|---|---|
| QTR? | What's the time? |
| QTR 1430Z | 14:30 UTC. |
| QTR 0205Z 15 MAY | 02:05 UTC on 15 May. |
Keep reading
Related Q-codes
QRG — Asks for or states a precise transmit frequency, usually in kHz or MHz.QRK — Asks the receiving station to rate how readable your signal is on the standard 1–5 scale.QRL — The standard 'is this frequency in use?' courtesy check before transmitting on a clear-sounding frequency.QRO — Used as a verb on amateur CW: 'go QRO' means switch to a high-power amplifier; opposite of QRP.