RST reports are an important part of Amateur Radio. They are two or three-digit codes read over the air which indicate how clear, strong and pure your signal is. Can someone break down the RST system with practical examples?

I see everything from 559 to 599 but wondering when you'd actually give something lower than a 5 for readability. Also, the tone report digit is only required for a CW (Morse code) contact - so voice is just RS?

If the other ham station sends me a "RST 448" report, it means my signal is readable with practically no difficulty, fair signal strength, and good D.C. note with just a trace of ripple. When I get a "5 by 8" signal report during SSB, it means my signal is perfectly readable and strong.

It is common for DX and contest stations to give out "rubber stamp" signal reports. Basically, they are trying to work as many stations as fast as possible and don't want to be bothered with accurate signal reports, so everyone gets a 59 or 599 report. In contests, everything is 599 or 5NN!

A good report like 59 means that others can hear you perfectly. A bad report like 31 might mean it is time to give up and try again another day when conditions are better. Be honest with your reports - it helps the other operator know how they're getting out.