Q in Morse Code: −−·−
The letter Q in Morse code is −−·−, spoken as "DAH-DAH-di-DAH": two long, one short, then one long. That is 1 dot and 3 dashes, with a dash held three times as long as a dot. To remember it, think GOD SAVE the QUEEN (the classic: three stressed syllables around one quick one).
Timing: how long each part lasts
Morse timing is built from one unit, the length of a dot. A dash is 3 units, and the silence between the elements of a single character is 1 unit. At 20 words per minute, one unit is 60 ms, so Q breaks down like this:
| Element | Signal | Length (units) | At 20 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dot | · | 1 | 60 ms |
| Gap | (silence) | 1 | 60 ms |
| Dash | − | 3 | 180 ms |
| Total for Q | 13 | 780 ms | |
How to signal Q
- Tap it: two long, one short, then one long. A short is a quick tap; a long is a heavier tap, or a quick tap followed by a slight hold, about three times as long.
- Blink it: two long, one short, then one long. Use quick blinks for dots and slow, deliberate eye closes for dashes, keeping the rhythm steady.
- Flash it: two long, one short, then one long. Short flashes for dots; for dashes, hold the light on about three times longer. Any flashlight or phone screen works.
How to remember Q
Say GOD SAVE the QUEEN (the classic: three stressed syllables around one quick one) in rhythm with the code and the pattern sticks: "DAH-DAH-di-DAH".
Words that start with Q: Quebec −−·− ··− · −··· · −·−·, quartz −−·− ··− ·− ·−· − −−··, queen −−·− ··− · · −·, quill −−·− ··− ·· ·−·· ·−··. The first is Q's NATO phonetic name, which operators use to spell aloud.
Q's rhythm famously matches 'God Save the Queen'. It also opens the Q-codes, QTH, QSO, QRM and friends, telegraphy's three-letter shorthand still used by hams daily.