QSL Etiquette (

[@richanderson5178]

I am a new ham, upgraded to General almost a year ago, and really enjoy sending out QSL cards. With my Yaesu FT-450D 100 watt transceiver, contacts are not a sure thing, a special thrill getting a QSL card from my first ever contact from Wayne AA5RN, and a couple of contacts in Europe too. (Obviously, I'm keeping a station log book). With my simple shack, no waterfalls, an end fed wire antenna, and the right band I am having fun making one contact at a time and sending/receiving QSLs. This activity makes me feel connected to the hams of the past that had even less equipment than me and celebrating a contact with a QSL. Thanks too Dave, you have been a great Elmer on KZbin!

[@jokeeffe007]

I've been away from the hobby for 15 years and am back and just getting serious about contacts. This video is timely so thank you for your time. I love your videos and find each to have information that I need. Stay well! Jim, KB3SYK

[@AC3HT]

Thanks Dave for the good video. Paper QSL cards are still my favorite. Yes, they are more expensive, but am willing to pay the postage to send them. Sent some cards out today, as a matter of fact. Admittedly, not all of my contacts on HF are sent a QSL card; rather they are reserved for more in-depth rag-chews, memorable (DX and non-DX) contacts or if someone requests one, etc. 73, AC3HT

[@K3KTB]

I always send my QSL cards in an envelope with a SASE. I love getting QSL cards

[@stephenjohnston8481]

Whenever I get a paper card in the mail, I always send one back in an envelope just in case other mail rubs up against it. I feel like with how rare printed QSL cards are these days, paying a few cents extra to send it in an envelope is worth the cost to ensure it arrives without any extra marks. Another thing that helps with getting cards in the first place is listing on my QRZ page that I collect them and that I always make an effort to send one back when I receive one. Steve, KC3FCQ

[@MrJimmy440]

Dave, what is your opinion on Short Wave Listeners who send QSL cards on eQSL ? I’ve sent a few back when I’ve received or two, but I’m getting 50-60 each time from one listener. Any thoughts on this. Thank you

[@RoyArmy-WREW918]

Not a HAM ... yet, but have been a SWL for 30+ years, While I never sent a card, have had the thought, so ... am interested in your response, as well as to the format reply above. Questions I have are the format as well as paper or online, as well as should I even bother to send any at all.

[@Porco_Utah]

in Japan, where I started my Ham radio hobby. many hams actually complained to me, because I did not have QSL card to exchange and I was not member of JARL ( Japanese ARRL ) to do QSL exchange by Bureau. here in America, I have not received any complain about not having QSL card printed, nor not being ARRL member yet. received QSL card by mail time to time, mostly from QSO in CW in old novice band back in 1990's, into 2000's never able to print QSL card even today, probably never will at this point. I was always been one of those cheap Ham. AG6JU

[@RosssRoyce]

To my feeling it is a sick society obsessed with rules and tradition. I’ve heard that they do not tolerate artists who express things detached from pre established codes. This is stupid especially after them copying everything from other cultures. Humanism and Renaissance never crossed this nation, they are depressed, sadistic, masochistic, excessive in self inflicted suffering. What disgusts me most about Japanese psyche is their hate for foreigners and scorn for orphans or simply physically deformed individuals - the external form is the rule. Men and women hardly meet and talk there, so sick. What’s most disgusting to me about Japanese mentality is: scorning anyone who admires them, while in a disgustingly servile way licking the behind and adoring those who have inflicted domination and pain on them. This stinks! To my feeling from distance, pesants and ordinary people in small villages are nice there, with sense of humor. Also I like the shamanic, Taoist like spirit of Shinto. Good craftsmen but too full of vanity and self importance and narcissism. Also I like how it is seen good not to disturb others…. Anyways long rant, you know this country way better than me but what you said confirmed my impressions… ps a guy was telling about being arrested in Japan for not being able to provide documents of ownership for the bicycle he was riding …that’s Japan .. (yuck!) also frigging SMALL portions of food, small fruit for 400$…. Etc

[@Porco_Utah]

@@RosssRoyce unfortunately, I have to pretty much agree with you on what you said here. I am 1/4 Chinese , grand parent was taken to Japan from northern China during, before WW2. but the fact my grand parent being Chinese was big family secret. it is still secret now today. they told me they could not tell me as child because children can not keep secret. and if neighbour find out about we are partially Chinese people will lose their job, girls can not get married so on. so it was important to keep it secret. I was told about it in my mid 20's. and also part of my family come from back ground ancestral lower class group. that too kept secret, but some says that is the reason I had difficulty getting job at large Japanese companies. because many Japanese large corporation keep such data base. I think Japan is good place for 100% pure Japanese. who does not come from lower class group family ancestor. many of my extended family moved to Singapore during 1970's and they are doing well there now. off course I immigrated to US, where we don't have such problem. Pax Tecum

[@M0RMY]

I send QSL electronically - eQSL, LOTW, QRZ, QRZLog automatically upload each QSO. I get paper ones sent via the bureau, but I do not send them or reply - cost and paper/ink/trees waste. I am grateful for the card, but it is not an obligation to reply. Just my opinion.

[@matthew.tamasco]

I received a card from a Shortwave Listener with a request to reply. Does anyone know the format for responding? He is an avid SWL contester and I want to make sure to get it right.

[@RoyArmy-WREW918]

am interested in this as well, including any specific send sending/reporting format as well.

[@mattstosh6960]

My favorite paper QSL cards are from Short Wave Listeners and hand drawn/made cards from new young Hams (kids). I average 3,000 contacts per year but only 800 paper cards per year. Every QSO logged gets eQSL and Clublog and LoTW. If I get a paper card - I send a paper card. Its not that hard to complete the paperwork for this wonderful hobby...

[@alechall4763]

Maybe the other 2200 people that didn’t send you a card only send out cards if they receive one.

[@mattstosh6960]

Not really.... Many Hams refuse to deal with paper QSL cards (check their QRZ pages) since electronic saves postage and hassle. Paper cards especially through he QSL Bureau can take as much as 2 years to complete the travel. Most want WAS, etc.. fast.

[@buildstoys]

I'm a newer HAM and enjoy sending and receiving QSL cards, but also submit my logs online since I know not everyone does paper.

[@yaroslavmuradian5959]

Thank you

[@Downeastwaves]

Thanks so much 😊

[@MedusalObligation]

So, LOTW doesn't work without internet on a computer? I don't see a way to use it with an Android. I'm glad contesting isn't at all important to me. I'll stick with paper logs (or QRZ Web page). Since I run mobile exclusively, logging on the fly is impossible and dangerous. (I have never sent or received a QSL card. It just was never important to me. And must not have been important to anyone I've ever contacted.) Just an interesting footnote to history.

[@SweetEdmund-i8t]

Johnson Larry Perez Maria Smith Jennifer

[@NxndbhduKnbsuxdh]

Martinez Linda Robinson Edward Martinez Nancy

[@RhondaPerez-m3b]

Young Sarah Johnson Ronald Taylor Sharon

[@melissasmithfe9096]

Anderson Paul Robinson Jeffrey Hall Mark

[@kristinabliss]

Neat, thanks for history & developments. I especially enjoyed seeing your favorite QSL card example! KN4FAA 😊

[@jamescouture775]

I QSL electronically to multiple sites however I only send a card by mail if I receive one with an SASE.The cost to mail over a thousand cards a month would destroy my budget. 73 Jim KB9ZM

[@WX4CB]

if someone sends me a card ill send one back... although i must admit, i've been REALLY slacking in sending physical cards out. have a stack a couple years old i need to get around to LOL. that said, all my contacts/logs are all uploaded to hrdlog/clublog/qrz/lotw/eqsl

[@KarenJackson-g5t]

Walker Nancy Thompson Matthew Williams Mark