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QSL cards are widely
exchanged between radio amateurs or radio hams to confirm contacts between
two radio stations or to acknowledge short wave listener reports. These cards
are often said to be the final courtesy of a contact, and indeed many
millions of them are exchanged each year.
The term QSL comes from
the radio “Q” code meaning "I confirm reception", and purpose of a
QSL card is to confirm a contact. The cards themselves are normally post card
sized, many being colourful and very attractive. Quite a few have photographs
of the ham station, the operator or the area in which he lives, and this
makes them very interesting.
The idea for the QSL card
dates back to the time when the first long distance amateur radio contacts
were being made on the short wave bands. Initially the stations exchanged
letters to confirm a contact, but the idea for a pre-printed card soon arose.
It is not certain which was the first card, or the first station to use them,
but the idea soon caught on.
Today QSL cards are sent for
a variety of reasons. It is interesting to collect them. Having made contact
with a station it is often nice to have a card from them to remember the
contact. I have some cards that bring back memories of a special contact. One
was for a contact with King Hussein of Jordan, JY1, another was for my first
contact with a West Coast station in the USA shortly after I got my first
HF transmitter going. Everyone will have memories of some contacts, whether
with a special event station, their first contact, or a rare DX station on a
far off island. In addition to this cards can displayed in the shack. Being
colourful and interesting they can brighten up any shack.
Cards are also required
when applying for some awards. One of the most famous awards is DXCC (DX Century
Club). It is issued by the American Radio Relay League for submitting proof
of making contacts with a hundred countries. Endorsements can be issued for
making contacts with further countries. Naturally QSL cards are normally used
as proof of making the contacts.
What are QSL cards?
A QSL card should contain sufficient information to confirm a contact.
Normally the card is preprinted with the callsign of the station placed
prominently on it. Details of the operator's name and address should be
included, and for those interested in VHF and UHF operation the QRA locator
can be included as well. Details of the contact itself are naturally
important and cards have an area where these can be filled in. They should
include the callsign of the station with whom contact was made, the time
(usually in GMT), date and frequency (or band) and the mode of transmission.
The signal report is another requirement, and it is also helpful to include a
summary of the equipment being used. The transceiver or transmitter and
receiver, and the antenna are of interest. Finally it is helpful to have
space to say whether a card has been received, or whether one is wanted from
the other station. Something like "PSE/TNX QSL" (please / thanks
QSL) is often used.
Who sends them?
Many people send QSL cards. Many transmitting amateurs, particularly those
using the HF bands send them regularly. The practise is less common for
contacts above 30 MHz, although for DX contacts many stations still need to
collect them for awards.
Listeners often send
cards as well. They may send a card to a transmitting station to give a
listener report in the hope of receiving a card back. However many DX
stations receive vast numbers of listener reports that are of little use.
Many say little more than "I heard you please QSL". If a report is
to stand a good chance of receiving a reply then it should give some useful
information. Band conditions, whether any other stations from the same area
were heard, or any significant characteristics of the signal.
QSL bureau
The most obvious way of sending cards is through the mail. It is also
customary to send the return postage to a DX station if a reply is expected.
This is most easily done using an international reply coupon. However this
soon becomes very expensive. To overcome this many national societies run
what is called a QSL bureau. Using this system, cards can be sent in bulk.
Stations send their cards to the national bureau, several at a time. The
bureau sorts them along with cards from many other stations, sending them to
other national societies in bulk. Finally the individual societies send them
tot heir members only after several are ready for despatch. Although this
takes a lot longer than sending them by mail, it is very much cheaper. Most
people use the bureau for most cards, only sending them direct for special
contacts.
QSL Managers
Many stations in rare locations are unable to deal with their cards
themselves. They may not have the time, they may not be in that country for
long, or the postal services may be very slow and unreliable. In instances
like these stations may appoint a QSL manager to look after sending and
receiving their cards. The managers will be snet copies of the logs so they
can send cards as required. When contacting DX stations listen out for any
mention of a QSL manager. Alternatively look in the DX listings in the
magazines or on pages on the net.
Collecting Cards
collecting QSL cards can be an interesting addition to the hobby. Cards from
distant corners of the earth can be attractive and interesting. Not only do
they brighten up the shack, but they can act as an encouragement to hear or
contact some more interesting stations.
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