A prosign is a concatenation of two characters sent without any spaces. It is usually written with a line over the top of the two characters. These are commonly used by Amateur Radio Operators.

ProsignMeaning/Use
AREnd of this message, but not the QSO.
ASWait. Can be followed by a number of minutes. Requesting the other op to standby (he may need to answer the door, match his antenna, change morse keys/headset etc).
BTNew paragraph, often used as a pause, break or separator between sections of a message. Some ops use it in place of normal punctuation, or as a filler whilst collecting thoughts.
CT


HH
Commencement of transmission or formal message.


Error.
KNGo ahead. Passing control back to ONLY the other station. Other stations are expressly excluded.
SK


SOS
End of the QSO – at the end of your final over after callsigns and closing protocols.


Emergency/Distress call. Lives at risk.

Last updated 30 May 2026. Ref: ITU-R M.1172

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