A QSL card is a written confirmation of either a two-way radiocommunication between two amateur radio stations or a one-way reception of a signal from a AM radio, FM radio, or television station. QSL cards can also confirm the reception of a two-way radiocommunication by a third party. A typical QSL card is the same size and made from the same material as a typical postcard, and many are sent through the mail as a standard postcard.

QSL cards derived their name from the Q code "QSL", which means "I confirm contact with you." Most are collected by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, TV-FM DXers, and other radio hobbyists. A limited market exists for older QSL cards, especially those from rare locations or famous stations, as collector's items.

QSL cards in amateur radio

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Amateur radio operators exchange QSL cards to confirm two-way communications between stations. A QSL card sent from one amateur radio operator to another contains details about the contact and the station. At a minimum, this includes the call sign of both stations participating in the communications, the time and date of the contact (usually specified in UTC), the radio frequency used, the mode of transmission used, and a signal report. Some QSL cards contain an image, often something associated with the station or the operator.

QSL cards are often required when applying for an amateur radio operating award. Several alternatives to physical QSL cards that must sent through the mail were developed in the 2000s. These systems use computer databases to store all the same information normally verified by QSL cards in an electronic format. Competing systems differ in their functionality and security requirements. Different sponsors of amateur radio operating awards may recognize only one such electronic QSL system in verifying award applications, and many awards sponsors do not recognize any such electronic QSL system. Some awards programs use only electronic QSL information.

QSL cards in shortwave listening

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Shortwave listeners also collect QSL cards. Sometimes referred to as SWL cards, they can confirm reception of two-way amateur radio communications or commercial radio operators using HF frequencies. A more common form of QSL card for shortwave listeners to collect verifies the reception of signals from international broadcasting or utility stations. For many international broadcasters, QSL cards serve as publicity tools rather than for gathering data on receptions.

QSL cards in TV-FM DXing

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QSL cards are also collected by radio enthusiasts who listen for distant FM radio or TV stations.

External links

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• American Radio Relay League Logbook of the World
• Electronic QSL Card Centre
• KLog - Software for QSL managing
• Martin Elbe's QSL-Pages, a QSL collection of broadcasting stations
• Primer on RST and SINPO Codes

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