For what does QNH stand?
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For what does QNH stand?
Hi All,
For what does QNH, QFE, QNE actually stand? In my little mind I use the mnemonic device; Q Field Elevation, QN Hydrosphere, and QNE must then from default be standard. And while we are on the subject, how about QDM and QDR? (I wish we used them here in the States.)
For what does QNH, QFE, QNE actually stand? In my little mind I use the mnemonic device; Q Field Elevation, QN Hydrosphere, and QNE must then from default be standard. And while we are on the subject, how about QDM and QDR? (I wish we used them here in the States.)
The 'Q' code abbreviations date back to the days when the primary means of Air/Ground communication was by morse code.
As far as I am aware, the letters (Q, N, H) etc don't represent specific words.
QDM - a magnetic heading to steer towards the station called.
QDR - the reciprocal of a QDM
QTE - True Bearing
QSY - Change Frequency
There are many more, but only a few remain in common use.
As far as I am aware, the letters (Q, N, H) etc don't represent specific words.
QDM - a magnetic heading to steer towards the station called.
QDR - the reciprocal of a QDM
QTE - True Bearing
QSY - Change Frequency
There are many more, but only a few remain in common use.
Last edited by spekesoftly; 5th Apr 2002 at 08:22.
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I never knew either and always got confused, so I just made up my own definitions.
QNH = Quoted Nautical Height i.e. Nautical being sea level.
QFE = Quoted field elevation i.e height above field
QDM = Quoted direction Magnetic
QDR = Quoted Direction Recipricol
No scientific basis, but It got my head round the ones I was interested in.
Not really answered the question either. Sorry for wasting bandwidth.
QNH = Quoted Nautical Height i.e. Nautical being sea level.
QFE = Quoted field elevation i.e height above field
QDM = Quoted direction Magnetic
QDR = Quoted Direction Recipricol
No scientific basis, but It got my head round the ones I was interested in.
Not really answered the question either. Sorry for wasting bandwidth.
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Thank you all who have posted, you’ve helped the edification of my little brain, and it is overwhelmed with a completely new field, to me previously unnoticed. Perhaps Truman was correct, “the only thing new is the history you don’t know”. – much appreciated
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I understood the reference to mean Queens Nautical Height. Thats what I was taught anyway!
Didn't the Brit's truly invent all things aviation and the Americans then 'develop' our ideas
I'm only jesting
but I do believe the 'Q' stands for Queen though.
Cheers
Budgie
Didn't the Brit's truly invent all things aviation and the Americans then 'develop' our ideas
I'm only jesting
but I do believe the 'Q' stands for Queen though.Cheers
Budgie
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Although as far as I am aware QNH, QFE etc have no direct meaning QDR, QDM, QUJ and QTE do.
As has already been mentioned the Q is simply an indication that a morse code message is being passed (from the good old days)
DR = Direction Radial
DM = Direction Magnetic
TE = True Emnation
UJ = Union Jack
The last of these is a little obscure. Think Union Jack, think True To the flag (True to)
As has already been mentioned the Q is simply an indication that a morse code message is being passed (from the good old days)
DR = Direction Radial
DM = Direction Magnetic
TE = True Emnation
UJ = Union Jack
The last of these is a little obscure. Think Union Jack, think True To the flag (True to)
Surely, (don't call me Shirley), Q is for Question. In the days of morse code only, to keep a message short and simple, the letter Q meant question. As in; "--.- -. ...." = Question Nautical Height ? Reply comes back 1024 or whatever. (no I'm not going to attempt the number in morse code !)
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The posts have been very enlightening. These recondite concepts seem to hide in a malaise of phantasmagoria; it is hearting to know that there is a priesthood which maintains the knowledge (exempli gratia : those who have posted replies). Though the Wrights may have been the first in powered flight, it is obvious that aviation is a most international endeavour, with many contributions from various cultures.
Last edited by '%MAC'; 24th Apr 2002 at 16:58.
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The Q does not stand for "question" or "query". To make the Q code a question you add a question mark after it. For instance QRA? is "what is the name of your vessel?"; QRA is "the name of my vessel is...."
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I thought that the Q-codes developed from radio, rather than aviation, basically as a shorthand to get the messade across. As in English, U always follows Q in a word, if you get a Q followed by something else, you'll know it's a Q code, and not a misread of the morse.
2 non aviation codes that I can remember are QRN - natural interference, QRM - man made interference (as in on the radio)
2 non aviation codes that I can remember are QRN - natural interference, QRM - man made interference (as in on the radio)
Last edited by A Very Civil Pilot; 24th Apr 2002 at 07:47.