How to Create and Use Your Own Custom Morse Code Codebook

When I first started operating CW on the ham bands, I quickly realized that memorizing the standard abbreviations wasn't enough. During a Field Day operation in 2019, I found myself repeatedly fumbling for ways to send location-specific information and personal QTH details. That experience led me to develop my own custom codebook—a personal reference system that has since become an essential part of my operating routine.

Why Standard Abbreviations Fall Short

The Q-codes and common CW abbreviations cover about 80% of typical QSO needs. But what about the remaining 20%? Consider these real scenarios:

Contest operations: You need quick codes for your specific exchange information

Emergency drills: Your local ARES group uses regional identifiers

Ragchewing: You want shorthand for personal details you share frequently

DXpeditions: Custom codes for pile-up management

"I've been using a personal codebook for 15 years," says Tom, W1AW/4, a veteran contester. "During CQWW, I have codes for everything from my zone number to common clarification requests. It probably saves me 10-15 seconds per QSO, which adds up to hundreds of extra contacts."

The Anatomy of an Effective Custom Code

Not every word or phrase deserves a custom code. Here's what makes a good candidate:

High-Frequency Usage

If you're sending the same information more than 5-10 times per operating session, it's worth creating a code. My own station location "Northern California, grid CM87" became simply "NCG" in my codebook.

Complexity Reduction

Long words with difficult letter combinations benefit most. "Sacramento" (... .- -.-. .-. .- -- . -. - ---) becomes "SAC" (... .- -.-.)—a 67% reduction in transmission time.

Uniqueness Requirement

Your codes shouldn't conflict with standard abbreviations. Before adding "FB" for "feedback," I learned it already means "fine business" in CW culture. A quick check against the standard Q-codes and common abbreviations prevents confusion.

Building Your Codebook: A Systematic Approach

Step 1: Audit Your Operating Patterns

Spend a week logging every phrase you send repeatedly. I use a simple tally system:

Phrase	Frequency	Current Method
"My QTH is Sacramento, California"	12/session	Full text
"Running 100 watts to a dipole"	8/session	PWR 100 DPL
"Weather here is clear and warm"	6/session	WX CLR WRM

Step 2: Design Mnemonic Codes

The best codes are memorable without reference. Principles I follow:

First letters: "Northern California" → NC

Phonetic association: "Clear weather" → CW (coincidentally also means "continuous wave")

Number integration: "100 watts" → 1H (one hundred)

Step 3: Test for Confusion

Send your new codes to a friend and ask them to guess the meaning. If they're confused, revise. When I tested "MH" for "my home," several operators thought I meant "mobile home." I changed it to "HQ" (home QTH).

Step 4: Document and Practice

A codebook is useless if you can't recall codes under pressure. I practice my custom codes the same way I practiced the basic alphabet—repetition until automatic.

Digital Tools for Codebook Management

Modern technology offers several approaches to maintaining custom codebooks:

Spreadsheet Method

The simplest approach: a two-column spreadsheet with keyword and meaning. Export as CSV for backup and portability.

Dedicated Applications

Some operators use note-taking apps with search functionality. The key features you need:

Quick search while operating

Easy editing

Export capability for backup

Browser-Based Tools

Web applications offer the advantage of access from any device. For instance, the codebook feature at MorseCodeMaster.com lets you create entries with automatic Morse conversion, play audio for verification, and export your entire codebook. The local storage approach means your codes remain private while still accessible across sessions.

Real-World Implementation Examples

Contest Station Custom Codes

Here's a partial codebook from my 2023 ARRL DX contest operation:

Code	Meaning	Use Case
5CA	59 California	Standard exchange
AGN?	Again? Send again	Request repeat
NR?	Number?	Request serial number
TU5	Thank you, 59	Quick acknowledgment
QRL?	Frequency in use?	Before calling CQ

Emergency Communication Codes

During ARES training, our county group developed these:

Code	Meaning	Context
EC1	Emergency Center 1	Main EOC
SH3	Shelter 3	Red Cross location
MR	Medical request	Priority traffic
WU	Welfare unknown	Status update

Personal QSO Codes

For casual ragchewing, I've developed these over years:

Code	Meaning
XR	Ex-programmer (my former job)
HB	Homebrew (for antenna discussions)
NC	Northern California
GS	Golden State (alternative for CA)

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Over-Engineering

I've seen operators create codes for phrases they send once a month. Keep your active codebook under 50 entries; anything more becomes unmanageable during live QSOs.

Inconsistent Standards

Decide on a format and stick to it. My rule: all codes are 2-4 characters, uppercase, no numbers unless representing quantities.

Neglecting Updates

Review your codebook quarterly. I retired "VK" (voice keyer) from mine when I stopped using that equipment.

Ignoring Context

Some codes work in contests but confuse ragchewers. Maintain separate sections or even separate codebooks for different operating modes.

Training Your Brain for Instant Recall

Creating codes is the easy part. Using them reflexively requires practice:

The 30-Day Integration Method

Add one new code per day to your operating. Send it at least five times in actual QSOs before adding the next.

Shadow Practice

During your regular practice sessions, mix in custom codes. I spend the last five minutes of each practice session on my personal codebook.

Periodic Drills

Once a month, have someone send random codes from your list while you transcribe. This reverse practice strengthens both directions.

Sharing and Standardization Within Groups

If you operate regularly with the same group—a club, an ARES team, a contest team—consider developing shared codes:

The Standardization Process

Collect proposed codes from all members

Vote on conflicts

Document in a shared location

Practice together before deployment

Documentation Format

The California QSO Party team I work with maintains a shared spreadsheet with these columns:

Code

Meaning

Proposer

Date added

Last reviewed

When Not to Use Custom Codes

Custom codes have limits:

First contact with unknowns: Stick to standard abbreviations

Emergency traffic: Use only widely-recognized codes

International QSOs: Cultural context may differ

Teaching moments: New operators need standard practice

Measuring Your Codebook's Effectiveness

Track these metrics to assess whether your custom codes actually help:

Time Savings

Compare QSO duration before and after implementing codes. I saw a 23% reduction in my average contest QSO time after optimizing my codebook.

Error Rate

If you're frequently having to clarify codes, they're not working. My threshold: if I have to explain a code more than once per session, it needs revision.

Recall Speed

Can you produce each code within 2 seconds of thinking of the concept? Time yourself monthly.

Moving Forward

A well-designed custom codebook is a living document. Start small—perhaps five codes addressing your most common repetitive phrases. Test them in actual QSOs, refine based on experience, and gradually expand.

The goal isn't to replace standard CW conventions but to complement them with personal efficiency. After four years with my codebook, I estimate it saves me roughly 15 minutes per hour of operating time—time I can spend making more contacts or simply enjoying the QSO.

For practice and management, tools like the custom codebook feature available at morsecodemaster.com provide a structured way to build, test, and maintain your personal code system. But whether you use digital tools or a handwritten card taped to your operating desk, the principle remains: identify patterns, create memorable codes, practice until automatic.

Written by Alex Chen, Amateur Radio Operator (W6AC) with 12 years of CW operating experience. Former ARRL Contest Branch contributor.

Cover image by Thomas Jensen on Unsplash