QSL CARDS
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| Example of my QSL card-FRONT |
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| BACK |
If you are just starting out as a shortwave listener you will soon hear amateurs talking about sending QSL cards. These are individually home printed cards about the size of a post card with the operators call sign printed on. When two operators make a contact over the air especially long distance or rear countries, they sometimes like to exchange both there cards so they have permanent proof and details of the contact.
These cards are usually exchanged by the RSGB QSL Bureau which is a much cheaper way than posting direct, another advantage is not having to read your address out over the air. You will have to join the RSGB to take full advantage of this service, a simple exchange of radio call signs and you can send your cards of to the RSGB who will then send them to the country or place of destination. Incoming cards are sent to the RSGB and then to an elected QSL manager who will need some pre- paid envelopes with your address and they will be posted to you.
These QSL cards are often needed for proof of contacts when applying for awards so that operators can claim there achievement certificates. Many operators collect QSL cards and either decorate the shack wall or keep them in a photo album and this can become a secondary hobby in itself. Just like stamp collecting there are some rear cards to get from difficult to find stations.
There are several companies which specialise in printing QSL cards and advertise in radio magazines. You will normally have to buy a large number of cards which can sometimes be expensive. If you do not send that many QSL's you could design your own and print them off as required on a PC. My QSL card which can be seen at the top of this page was created using a photo taken with a digital camera, the picture, logos and text boxes were set up using photo editing software and the back was created using a word processor.
Some short wave listeners also enjoy sending there personal cards to stations who they have heard to let them know how well they are getting out and often receive QSL'S back themselves.
There are also website's such as QRZ.COM and QSL.NET where operators can register with and use the QSL service. You can look up an operator on-line using the database, simply type in the call sign and view the QSL information.
Below are a couple of examples which I have taken from my collection.
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| SPECIAL EVENT QSL CARD -FRONT |
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| BACK |
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| GERMAN QSL CARD WITH LOCATOR POSITION -FRONT |
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| BACK |