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CW prosigns are special Morse code sequences that function as procedural signals rather than letters. They are sent without the normal inter-letter gap, so two characters run together as a single symbol. Alongside prosigns, amateur radio CW operators use a set of standard abbreviations that allow complete messages to be exchanged at speed with minimal keying. This page covers both.
CW Prosigns
Prosigns are written with the two letters joined by an overline in traditional notation, for example AR (overlined). On air they are sent as a single unbroken sequence. Learning to recognise their distinctive rhythms is an important part of becoming fluent in CW.
AR.-.-.
End of Message
Sent at the end of a transmission that does not invite a specific reply. The CQ call ends with AR. Think of it as a period at the end of a sentence.
CQ CQ CQ DE W1AW W1AW W1AW AR
K-.-
Go Ahead / Invitation to Transmit
Sent at the end of a transmission to invite any station to reply. Used after a CQ or at the end of an over when any station may respond.
CQ DX DE W1AW AR K
KN-.-.-
Go Ahead Named Station Only
Like K but restricts the invitation to the specific station already in contact. Used when you want only that station to reply and not other callers.
W1AW DE K9ZX QSL UR 599 KN
SK...-.-
End of Contact
Sent at the very end of a QSO to indicate the contact is finished and the station is closing down or moving on. The last thing sent before going QRT.
TU 73 DE W1AW SK
BK-...-.-
Break / Invite Immediate Reply
Invites the other station to break in immediately without waiting for a full over. Used in conversational CW when quick back-and-forth is desired.
UR NAME BK
AS.-...
Wait / Stand By
Asks the other station to wait. Sent when you need a moment before continuing -- answering the door, looking something up, or handling a distraction.
AS AS (pause) OK PSE CPY MY QTH
CL-.-. .-..
Going Off the Air (Closing)
Indicates the station is closing completely and will not be listening. Often combined with SK: SK CL means the station is done for the session.
73 DE W1AW SK CL
HH........
Error / Please Disregard
Eight dots sent to indicate a sending error. Equivalent to striking through text. After sending HH the operator repeats from the last correct word.
(sending mistake) HH (repeat from correct point)
SOS...---...
International Distress Signal
Sent as one continuous unbroken sequence with no gaps between letters. The universal distress call. On amateur radio frequencies this is extremely rare and must be taken seriously.
SOS SOS SOS DE (callsign)
DE-.. .
From (Separates Callsigns)
Means "from" and separates the called station from the calling station in the standard CW contact format. Not strictly a prosign but universally used.
W1AW DE K9ZX
Correct QSO Structure Using Prosigns
A standard CW contact follows a predictable structure. Understanding where each prosign belongs makes copying and sending much easier:
CQ CQ DE W1AW W1AW AR K (calling station calls CQ, ends with AR K)
W1AW DE K9ZX K9ZX K (answering station responds)
K9ZX DE W1AW R TNX FER CALL UR RST 599 599 NAME JOHN JOHN QTH MASS MASS HW? KN (first exchange, ends with KN -- named station only reply)
W1AW DE K9ZX R TNX JOHN UR RST 579 579 NAME BOB BOB QTH OHIO OHIO HW? KN (second exchange)
K9ZX DE W1AW R TU FER NR QSO 73 ES CUL DE W1AW SK (closing, ends with SK)
CW Operating Abbreviations
These abbreviations are used in CW QSOs to reduce keying time. Many are also heard on phone, particularly during contests. Search to find any abbreviation.
