What the heck is a “CUE-SO?” And what’s this about partying with one?

October 22nd, 2025

Ham radio is rich in jargon. Much of it has roots going back a hundred years or more. That includes “Q” signals—simple phrases reduced to 3 letters each, starting with “Q” and standing for common phrases related to radio transmission. They greatly simplified communication among operators who spoke different languages—a Q signal means the same thing in any language.   Q signals were readily adopted by hams and used extensively, and that’s still true today. With the advent of voice modes in the 1920s, hams accustomed to Q signals on CW have continued using them on voice. Thus, when you hear a ham complaining about “QRM” or “QRN” during your contact, he or she is copying you through “interference” or “static.” A reply of “QSL” to your transmission means that it was received and understood, and a “QSL card” (or digital equivalent, like LoTW) confirms it.   As commonly used, “QSO” refers to a contact by ham radio, and it’s unofficially pronounceable as “CUE-SO.” You’ve probably heard of that in connection with “The Nevada QSO Party,” an annual event in October during which hams everywhere try to have a QSO with as many Nevada hams as possible, in as many Nevada counties as possible. Most other states, Canadian provinces, and several other countries have their own QSO parties throughout the year. For a quick look at nearly all of them, click here.   Back to the Nevada QSO Party, or “NQP.” We’ve been fortunate to have our own Jim Shepherd, W6US, manage the statewide NQP for the past eight years, but Jim has more irons in the fire than any one person can manage, so he needs to hand off the NQP function to someone else. Before you think, “oh no, not me,” here’s the part you probably wouldn’t guess: you don’t need to be an old timer like Jim with decades of ham radio experience and strong technical skills. Taking care of the NQP is primarily a computer task, not a radio task—it needs someone with good p.c. and Internet skills, and that is just about everyone reading this!   Moreover, the elements of the job can be shared among multiple volunteers. It’s an ideal gig for two or more people who already comprise some sort of team: a husband and wife, for example. Two or three friends. A group of associates on the job, in a school, or in some other type of club. You don’t even have to be a ham; you only need those online skills and a willingness to help both Nevada hams and everyone else worldwide who wants to “cue-so” with us.   If this describes you and maybe someone you know, and if you’re willing to volunteer your time to a worthy cause that is very much in need, please let us hear from you soon. Contact me at any time for more information—phone, text, or email--and let’s talk it over. 73,   Craig McVeay, N0CSM - Section Manager and NQP fan Pahrump, NV N0CSM@arrl.org 305-712-0254   -OR-   Ron Russell, KG7OR – SNARS member and NQP fan Carson City KG7OR@arrl.net 209-712-6200 cell/text