QTA: radio meaning and how to cancel a message

Q Code in practice · security

QTA means cancel or disregard the message. On the radio, “QTA on the last message” reports that the previous information is no longer valid. In security, the code is used to cancel a support request, correct a location or revoke an order. After cancellation, always state the correct information.

Updated on 14/10/2026 · ABC Mais Telecom technical team, Motorola Solutions and Hytera two-way radio sales and rental.

In one sentenceCancel, disregard the previous message.

Question“Control, should I cancel the last message?”

Answer“QTA confirmed. Support is no longer needed.”

What does QTA mean on the radio?

In the ITU list (ITU-R M.1172), QTA asks “shall I cancel telegram (or message) number…?” and answers “cancel telegram (or message) number…”. The code was created to cancel messages already transmitted, and that is how it is used today on voice radio.

In Brazilian usage, it has also acquired the meaning “forget it” or “never mind” in informal conversations. In a security operation, however, cancellation must be specific: say what is being canceled and what now applies.

Situation	Short phrase	Complete with
Support canceled	“QTA on support.”	Location and reason: dock 3, situation back to normal.
Location corrected	“QTA on the location.”	The correct location: gate 2, not gate 1.
Order revoked	“QTA on the release.”	What to do now: wait for the tax invoice.
Incorrect message	“QTA on the last message.”	The correction: block Charlie, not block Bravo.

QTA in practice: 3 complete conversations

Each conversation shows the coded message followed by the same message in plain language. Use it as a training script with your team.

False alarm

Goal: cancel support with the reason confirmed on site.

Patrol 2“Control, Patrol 2. Alarm in the storeroom, I need support.”In plain language: Control, the storeroom alarm went off, I need help.
Control center“QSL. Support on the way.”In plain language: Understood. Help is on the way.
Patrol 2“Control, QTA on support. Door checked, alarm triggered by an authorized employee.”In plain language: You can cancel the help. I checked the door; an authorized employee triggered the alarm.
Control center“QSL on the cancellation. Support, return to your post.”In plain language: Cancellation understood. Support team, return to your post.

Wrong location

Goal: correct the information without leaving doubt.

Security guard“Control, leak on the ground floor of block B.”In plain language: Control, there is a leak on the ground floor of block B.
Security guard“Control, QTA on the last message. The leak is on the second floor of block B.”In plain language: Control, disregard the previous message. The leak is on the second floor of block B.
Control center“QSL. Second floor, block B. Maintenance notified.”In plain language: Understood. Second floor of block B. Maintenance has been notified.

Order revoked at the gatehouse

Goal: prevent a release that is no longer authorized.

Supervision“Gatehouse, release the carrier’s truck.”In plain language: Gatehouse, you can release the carrier’s truck.
Supervision“Gatehouse, QTA on the release. Wait for the tax invoice.”In plain language: Gatehouse, cancel the release. Wait for the tax invoice.
Gatehouse“QSL, truck held pending the tax invoice.”In plain language: Understood. The truck stays until the tax invoice arrives.

Radio conversation with QTA: control's question and the team's reply — Conversation flow: who calls, who responds and confirmation.

7 ready-to-use phrases with QTA

Replace the names with your team’s locations and call signs. Before each message, say who it is for and who is speaking.

Patrol 2“Control, Patrol 2. QTA on the support request, the alarm was triggered by mistake.”Cancel support already requested.
Control center“Support team, QTA on travel to dock 3. Return to your post.”Undo an order given.
Gatehouse“Supervision, QTA on the last message. The correct plate is Bravo, Romeo, Alfa, two, Echo, one, nine.”Correct spelled-out information.
Security guard“Control, QTA on the location. The incident is on the second floor, not the ground floor.”Correct a location.
Control center“Patrol 1, did you receive the cancellation?”Check whether the cancellation arrived.
Patrol 1“QSL on the cancellation, returning to sector 4.”Cancellation acknowledgment.
Event“Coordination, QTA on South Gate opening. Opening at 19 hours.”Event schedule change.

How to use QTA without causing doubt

Say what is being canceled. “QTA on the last message” only works if everyone knows which message was last.
Give the new information in the same transmission. Canceling without correcting leaves the team without instructions.
Wait for QSL. Whoever received the original order needs to confirm receiving the cancellation.
Record it in the logbook. Canceled support requests and revoked orders are shift events and must have a time (QTR).

QTA on the radio: example of vague and clear wording — Compare vague and clear messages: codes help, but information needs to be complete.

Common mistakes with QTA

Canceling without saying what. With several messages on the channel, the code alone does not indicate which was canceled.
Canceling without correcting. The team does not know what to do.
Not waiting for acknowledgment. Support may continue heading to the wrong place.
Using cancellation to end a conversation. To finish, say you have finished. The code is used to cancel a message.

QTA in each type of operation

Property security: Support requests canceled after an on-site check, with reason and time.
Gate staff and access control: Access authorizations revoked due to missing documents or changed authorization.
Events: Opening time changes, gate changes or cancellation of an instruction to the public.
Logistics and industry: Dock changes, trucks held or loading orders suspended.
Condominiums: Maintenance call canceled or delivery refused by the resident.

10-minute training at shift change

Short, frequent training works better than one long annual class. This script fits into service handover.

Choose three common messages. Support request, access authorization and incident location.
Practice the correction. One post transmits a deliberate error; another corrects it with “QTA on the last message” and the correct information.
Require acknowledgment. Control only considers the cancellation valid after QSL.
Record the time. Write the cancellation in the logbook with the time and reason.

Supervision room with shift records: message cancellations also go in the logbook — Cancellations and corrections made by radio must also be recorded during the shift. Illustrative image.

Template for the post procedure

Copy and adapt it for your company’s operating procedure. The text defines code usage for the whole team, including new arrivals.

Item	Suggested text
Adopted meaning	QTA = cancel or disregard the indicated message.
When to use	Correct a location, time, plate or name, or revoke an order already transmitted.
Message format	“QTA on the last message” + correct information, in the same transmission.
When not to use	To cancel support without an on-site check or to end a conversation.
Required confirmation	QSL from the recipient of the original message and a record with the time.

5 questions for team refresher training

Is the code alone sufficient?Answer: No. Say which message was canceled and which now applies.
Who confirms the cancellation?Answer: The recipient of the original message, with QSL.
Can I cancel support without going to the location?Answer: You should not. Confirm the situation first.
Does cancellation go in the logbook?Answer: Yes, according to the company’s procedure.
Who records the cancellation?Answer: The post or control, according to the procedure, with reason and time.

QTA and similar codes

Code	Purpose	Example
QTA	Cancel a message.	“QTA on the last message.”
QSL	Confirm that you understood.	“QSL on the cancellation.”
QRT	Stop transmitting.	“Signing off, QRT.”

After any cancellation, acknowledgment with QSL closes the matter. See also QTR (correct time) to record the time, the security guard code with PDF card and the complete Q Code table.

Frequently asked questions about QTA

Does QTA mean “forget it”?

In informal Brazilian usage, yes. In operations, prefer “QTA on the last message” followed by the correct information.

Is QTA an official code?

Yes. On the ITU list it is used to cancel a telegram or message.

Do I need to confirm the cancellation?

Yes. The recipient of the canceled message replies QSL to show they understood.

Can I cancel a support request?

You can, provided the situation is confirmed on site. State the reason and new status: “QTA on support, situation back to normal.”

What is the difference between QTA and QRT?

The first cancels a message. QRT is stopping transmission or ending radio operation.

Should cancellation go in the incident logbook?

Follow the company’s procedure. Generally, canceled support requests and access authorizations are recorded with the time.

How do I correct an incorrect license plate?

“QTA on the last message” and spell out the plate again with the phonetic alphabet, asking the person who wrote it down to read it back.

Can I use “disregard” instead of QTA?

You can. What matters is that the team always uses the same form and corrects the information in the same transmission.

Sources consulted

ITU, Recommendation ITU-R M.1172: abbreviations and signals for radiocommunications (Q Code list).

Planning communication for a post or event? ABC Mais Telecom rents two-way radios for property security, gatehouses and events in the state of São Paulo, with the use of Anatel-licensed frequencies already included in the rental.

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