QSL Cards? (

Ed, K6SDW, has been a Ham since the 1600s and for many years sent and received QSL cards, but now he has noticed that they are hardly used, and he wonders in anyone sends old, traditional QSL cards?
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[@Jim.Hummel]

I love QSL cards...It's a part of the romance of amateur radio!

[@deadhamwalking]

I've been a ham for about 2 years now. I love getting the real cards and most always send out one of mine to every unique contact I work. I work exclusively QRP so all my contacts are in the USA/Canada and Mexico. I enclose a SASE in the hopes I will get one in return. So far I have been getting about a 70% return on my investment. My motto is you need to give first to be able to receive. There are various kinds of paper QSL cards I receive.Some are quite elaborate with hi resolution photographs on one side and very detailed information on the contact on the other. I have even received a picture postcard with the details of the contact written on the back. Still counts.

[@thomasb4329]

I'm a new ham and the first thing I did when I got my general ticket to HF bands was order QSL cards. I also always send my QSL card out for the first contact I have with an operator and request one in return. If I get one back cool, if not I hope they enjoyed getting my card.

[@david_W5QDF]

Dave I am W4MPY’s son and like him an avid ham. I am not the child that took over the QSLman business. I appreciate you and my Dad thought a lot of you. I am David W5QDF

[@alv6530]

I have been a ham for just over a year and just recently recieved my first QSL card. I hadn't thought about getting cards of my own, but the feeling of recieving a physical object from another ham is suprisingly good. So after about 20 minutes on power point I designed a card and printed it out on some cardstock and will be sending QSL cards of my own from now on.

[@AMQ11]

received

[@aurtisanminer2827]

I was just thinking about making up some qsl cards. Good timing on this video! Lol

[@1OFGODSOWN]

Look up QSL Card maker and make your own.🎙

[@tabauman]

Licensed since 1976. Started as a Novice and got to General. Had a family and career and kind of stepped away from the radio. Always had a 2 mtr HT around though and kept the license renewed. Now with the kids all gone, I have more time and am building out my station again. Your video's are a great help David and I appreciate them. QSL cards was one of the questions I had, When I started, I think I got them almost every day and sent out hundreds. Thanks again! Taylor WB0RSJ

[@franklyre]

I’ve been a ham for two years and enjoy sending and receiving QSL cards. I just installed a dymo printer and find it a lot quicker, I print the labels with each call and then prepare a whole stack of cards at one time. I keep my cards in plastic holders in a 3 ring binder. ….. just one more fun part of the hobby

[@mikehuedepohl7927]

Hay Dave I am QSL Manager for the Chicago Leg of route 66 on the air and we get our QSLs printed by Minute man press great people to work with. I also am a QSL collector from the early 70s thru now. I have many great memories of stations worked my father in law worked a station in southern Mexico on 6 Meters and would brag about it to all the local ham friends 8 years after he became a SK I worked Galapagos Island and that was my turn for bragging. But the card is displayed on the wall as all the wonderfull cards and places. Mike WD9GJK 73

[@ValentinLucero]

I still send QSL cards to every contact. Most of the time I get one in return.

[@forgetyourlife]

How many times have you got a card first? It hardly ever happens to me. Ive sent out 100's and recieved maybe 20% back but i can count on 1 hand the times ive got one first.

[@miketessitore6987]

This is exactly the kind of wholesome video viewing I enjoy while banging Ethel into the headboard. 73's!

[@TheMrDrMs]

I LOVE getting and sending QSL cards (am a new / younger ham too) Collecting cards personalized from all over the world is so much fun for me. I've found that if I include SAE I'll usually get a qsl card in return, and for stations I really would love a QSL card from, I always include SASE / green stamps (international).

[@montybates5176]

Where do you get the green stamps? Thanks and 73 de kf0gpx

[@TheMrDrMs]

@@montybates5176 Green stamps is another way of saying, to include a few US Dollars instead of stamps.

[@timmack2415]

All shortwave, AM and FM stations used to send QSL cards too. Many CB radio stations, in the 60s and 70s used to send QSL cards. I had quite a collection of cards (more than 600) and they were lost by my moving company, along with two other boxes when I moved to my new house several years ago, sadly.

[@TheMrDrMs]

@@timmack2415 that’s way cool about the collection, and sad they were lost. It looks like many AM SW stations still mail QSL cards as well as they and their engineers love to know the propagation too. A recent one for me is NHK in Japan. I’m sort of near NYC.

[@deadhamwalking]

@@timmack2415 As a teenager I DX'ed AM radio stations at night and collected QSL cards plus promotional material from those that would send them. My bedroom wall was plastered with these cards. Should have gotten into ham radio back then.

[@KX4UL]

Very good QSL info Dave! I am old school and like the paper cards. My Dad was a Ham back in the 50's and 60's and it was his QSL cards from distant places and him operating CW around the world that fascinated me and sparked my interest in HAM radio as a kid. 73!

[@johnmullis6589]

I am a new ham and just ordered my first Bach of qsl cards and if I can ever catch Dave on the air I will love to send him one

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Still many QSL card printers out there. About to get a batch printed once I finish the design.

[@tubbysailor]

I've had the same question recently. Thanks.

[@redbadger5068]

De KG5EWK, I send paper QSL cards with every contact. To me and many others it is an integral part of the Hobby

[@joewillj]

Great video Dave! I love sending my QSL card when I make a new contact. It was really neat to receive my first international card from Australia! -N6BFG

[@TheZolon]

Heya Dave. I am pretty sure you didn't mean to put 1600s in the description. ;)

[@nocodegeneral1023]

Great video as always. I love paper QSL cards too

[@Code3Indiana]

Thanks Dave!

[@K6TJO]

I get them on occasion and get a kick out of it Every time!

[@turtlecreek4633]

I send many out. My family and I really like seeing what comes back in.

[@btaylor1948]

I received a SWL QSL card from Germany. In my 40+ years as a ham I never knew a SWL station would QSL.

[@user-pf6os4uv4o]

Hello Bob, In early 1970s I was a SWL for 11 years and sent off about 10 k of my SWL cards.. Now I'm a HAM UX5UO and QSL designer/printer of QSLs. In spite of the war in Ukraine our QSL print service reopened We can design / print / send any QSL cards. You may call us now. Gennady (photo is of my grandson)

[@EUC_Senior]

Hello everyone! N2DMI here. I recently returned back to HF and a little overwhelmed about all of this logging stuff. You got QRZ, Log book of the world, eqsl and yadi yadi yadi. Too many logs to keep in order to make a contact! I keep my logs on QRZ but I will be switching over to logbook of the world (because Dave knows better than I) I send QSL cards because 41 yrs ago when I got licensed that’s the way we did it! There was no internet back then and it was way cool to send and receive QSL cards and that is why I still do it to this day. What is hurting me about all of these different logging programs is that when I was logging into QRZ, I would log my information in as quickly as I could and the other ham would log his/her information into eQSL and the date and the time would not match up and then I would get an email from the other Ham saying that they can not confirm my QSO and that I need to change the date and time. That is a royal pain in the “you know what” to have to go into logs and change dates and times. We NEED to stick to ONE logging program and that is IT!!! When we make a QSO there isn’t a magical logging program that automatically logs in the data program for us. We are entering in this information ourselves! If I log in the end of QSO time and you enter in your beginning of QSO time and the date and time on my log compared to your log do not match up then SO WHAT! I have only been active on HF for two months and twice 2 different people emailed me saying that my date and time were off by a little and wanted me to change my date and time. I might have 5/10 00:05 UTC in my log and you might have 5/9 23:50 UTC on yours. Then change YOURS and stop being too critical of what I wrote on the QSL card that you got from me. OK that felt good to get that off of my chest!

[@dandbtucker]

New HAM shopping for my QSL cards tonight. Great timing.

[@clems6989]

There are still many many hams still sharing printed cards.

[@marklowe7431]

Good video, QSL cards should never die.

[@danielwietchy1037]

Timely video. Today, I received 35 QSL cards from the KL7 bureau - Japan and several from Chile. I generally receive about 40 paper QSL cards per month. Some of my favorite QSL cards are hand-drawn. For each contact I make, I complete: eQSL, clublog, LotW and paper when requested.

[@RickRByrd]

Interesting, thank you!

[@stevedowler2366]

Thanks Dave, I send QSL cards and even send the green stamps to international hams. I just like the diversity of artistic expression I see from hams all over the world. I also use LOTW because that gets my contest points counted, meager as they are compared to some really dedicated contesters. Cheers, Steve, K0HAY

[@lowpowerlarry9957]

I like using QSL cards as well as LOTW. I also remember getting and using S&H Green stamps!

[@RESlusher]

I do LOTW and still send out QSL cards when I think about it. I'm about a year or so behind. So watch for ones from KF5RHI! Thanks for sharing, Dave!

[@greglawrencemusic]

Nowadays it's easy to design and print your own cards using perforated sheets. It's always a delight when you get one in the mail!

[@zolar7a]

Nothing to add today so I'll just say thanks for the videos.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you, Dave. I first learned Morse Code as a Boy Scout at Camp Pendleton. It was required to earn First Class Rank. 5 wpm. That was a struggle! About 20 years later two physicians diagnosed me as dyslexic. That explained a lot. N0QFT

[@donaldsmith3048]

I am just getting started, no HF radio yet. But I have gotten one card from talking on 2M. I want to get some cards, maybe make them myself. I will need to get a new drum for my lazer printer to do them right so they don't run if they get wet. Ink jets are low cost and faster but they can run if they get wet. Or I could print one on my ink jet and take it somewhere to get them made. I watch your videos and learn a lot from them. Thank You for them.

[@SoILRadioOperator]

Always appreciate your vids and found this one very timely. I'm a young ham (41) setting up LBoW currently, and recently ordered and received both QSL and SWL cards from K6RF & WA6SUE family business in CA. They appear to be simply a family of hams working that online store and I couldn't think of anyone else I would rather support. They're phasing out new orders and accepting only reprint orders in the future, so I'm glad I got an order in in time. Recently participated in the annual IL QSO party and received my first QSL card from a contact I worked that day. Yeah LBoW or eQSL is more efficient, faster, but it was still fun to see that QSL card in the mail stack! I think it's a little more personal and means a little more in human terms - like getting a handwritten postcard from a traveling family member as opposed to a short email. Keep up the good work & thanks for taking the time to do it. 73's KC9TUL

[@ZommBleed]

Forever postcard stamps are Ok for mail within the US. You will have to pay for 1 oz. International postage (international postcard) rates for mail outside the US if sending overseas. I use a clause in the law for $0.02 postage for mailing postcards and for mail ($0.02 per 1/2 oz.) for mail within the USA to non-governmental addresses.

[@2E0LMI]

Have many QSL cards from 11m days past. We used to post those though in envelopes because we didn't want anyone to see the frequencies and modes we had been working on lol. Since getting a ham licence no one has ever asked me for a paper QSL card.

[@deadhamwalking]

If I ever work you I will send you one.

[@thom3124]

I just got notification I have cards waiting at my bureau. Must be from contacts past. I have not been active for nearly 10 years now.

[@darinbell6982]

After 30 years I still do QSL cards. I love collecting them and sending them. I also still keep handwritten logs of my contacts and just today received another log new log book. I guess I’m old school.

[@AMQ11]

You are doing things the proper way. Modern hams are just computer aficionados.

[@douglaswilliams6834]

I love LOTW, and I wish all hams used it, but I admit it's still a thrill to receive a paper card in the mail occasionally. Like you, Dave, if anyone sends me a paper card, I will send one in return. Fun tradition. 73 de WB4DW

[@davenewmyer3735]

K1DDN, Amanda, does QSL printing. She is here in Colorado.

[@KE8MWQ]

My mom saved S&H (I believe that's what they were called) green stamps

[@Martin_PA0KGB]

I hope I can work you some day on the air and get your QSL card. I love QSL paper cards... Greetings Martin PA0KGB

[@BoboAthanassion]

Great video as usual. Love your channel. Would love to get an autographed QSL card from you to frame and put on my wall. I'll need to get a QSL card to send out to you.

[@migsvensurfing6310]

Here is a comment.... Congrats with 100000 subs 🏁

[@russblahetka4742]

Hi Dave, I always send a QSL card if I can find an address. I am happy to receive them as well. A couple comments you made re: the cards made me laugh. I am in the process of moving back to the Midwest where my '9' call will be common, so I need to have new cards printed. The second was when you mentioned your cards came down quickly when you married. I will be remarrying before the final move. Based on your experience I will find a way to show off my cards (photo album??) and avoid a later 'discussion'. 73

[@kulanchandrasekaran4462]

Hey fellow ham, It’s been two years. Curious to know how the “discussion” went. 73

[@russblahetka4742]

@@kulanchandrasekaran4462 No worries. I keep them in a box. I never had time to do a display, so I didn't have a anything to 'take down.' Sometimes things work themselves out. 73 Russ WD9DD

[@nativetexan9776]

Since I am not a contester, I make my cards and fill them out with mspaint in 3.5"x5.5" .png format and email the card to the recipient so they can print them out.

[@chriswebb3331]

Don't forget WAS, DX & awards nets like 3905 Century Club & OMISS where card exchange is absolutely expected. You can rack up piles of cards (and good experience) pretty quick working these nets. My online QSL supplier is going out of business so I just went to my local print shop & worked with them to design new ones. In less than 2 yrs I've filled, to overflowing, two 12" scrapbooks so, while the old paper QSL may not be what it once was, I certainly wouldn't say they're dying either.

[@twohandsandaradio]

I'm wondering if there isn't a renascence of the paper QSL? I've gotten more paper cards this year complete with return envelope and stamp than I have in years.

[@paulpiovesan1254]

I think it's the high cost of postage, that stops people from sending QSL Cards., it gets too expensive after a while, some countries it can cost anywhere from $2-$4 just to mail a postcard overseas. that can add up to over $100 if you send out like 50 Cards overseas.

[@barrywendon5168]

Yes I like collecting QSL cards it is part of the fun 73 Dave de G6JMX

[@martykm6pra114]

Dave as qsl cards may not be as popular as they once were. I think you should have been a little more supportive in sending cards. I love sending and getting cards. I hope qsl card don't disappear. Thanks Dave love your videos. 73

[@davidbrennan5]

I am a new guy but I think respecting some of the old traditions is important. I also think it can be a lot of fun doing things "the old way" Older radios interest me and I really like shacks that are real shacks heated by wood or an old kerosene heater for example. I would love to receive and collect QSL cards and I plan on sending some out.

[@lucva2hetlafreniere592]

Thanks Dave and 73 de VA2HET from Quebec

[@opticalman1jeffkeokro741]

I really like getting QSL cards. I send my out when ever I can.

[@jonmcadams5401]

Dave, Thank you for the helpful QSL overview. I have a question. Using online tools I created a printable QSL PDF with a photo background of my QTH. I uploaded that PDF to another site for PDF editing and made the QSO information blanks into editable fields. I downloaded and saved that PDF as a master QSL. Using my computer I can use the master PDF QSL, type specific QSO information into fields, save the final edited PDF QSL, and then email it to hams as an attached file. Question: If hams receive my editable PDF QSL by email and print out a paper copy, will the printed QSL be considered as legitimate for their awards?

[@warrenpercell297]

S&H Green Stamps. Yea, I'm old.

[@thiyag_]

I recently worked a contest station in Finland (OF4X) but I don’t have a way for figuring out their info to send a QSL card(as far as I looked, similar to the FCC but for Finland), is there a standard way for finding contact info, do bureaus somehow figure out the final address just by call sign? NB2R

[@n8sot]

After all these years......I would love to exchange QSL cards with you Dave!!!!! Where and when do we find you????? Wish we could get back into the old QSL card exchange.......It was actually fun!!!!!

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Dave, I had W4MPY QSL cards for my old call. Had about 700 left when the box got wet and made the cards unusable. Would have kept WB3BJU for much longer had the cards been in good shape. Working on a new card for WJ3U call. There are a few DX entities that will not use any electronic log reporting, only paper QSL's. There is one (VP8LP) in the Faulklands that I need DXCC credit and will have to send him a card. He does not use any bureaus and requests a SAE with sufficient return postage. Just wish he listed is email on QRZ so I could ask what return postage amount is required. Two months ago received a mailer from the ARRL bureau with a dozen QSL cards. Only two of them need to be submitted for DXCC credit. You and Loretta stay safe. 73

[@gregorymccullough3801]

Hi from KL4PR. I can't seem to find where to order QSL cards. I live in Alaska, so I'd have to probably order from out of state. Any suggestions?

[@N0JLFRadio]

3:00 LOTW's complaint about eQSL not being secure didn't age well...

[@larryjanson4011]

how do you get a direct address for sending a card? i have not done any of this, with luck ($$) can start up before the end of the year (2012). and how do they, aka powers that be. prevent fraud for contesting? how does just a filled in line in your note pad prove you made the contact?

[@jeromemckenna7102]

I send and receive QSL card. I find the LOTW process as absurd.

[@sphexes]

I've exchanged DX cards, but it gets expensive and many people don't even return them.

[@Billiemarie1000]

Its a radio hobby, not a snail mail hobby. The only ones who want cards usually want $5 with them for theirs. I used QSL cards back when they were the only means of verification, Log Book Of The World changed all that. And yes you can get DXCC without ever touching a stamp. Not everyone has money to spend on an antiquated system for cards that end up in a shoe box and forgotten...

[@skipkazmarek6334]

Two thoughts. First, LOTW is about the silliest endeavor I've ever seen. Layers of security for radio contacts? Seriously? To keep people from cheating on ham awards? Oh, the horror! I'd simply perish if someone got a Worked All States award he wasn't entitled to! Good grief. It's easier to export spent nuclear materials to Iran than get ARRL credit for a ham radio contact. Second, a point about QSL cards is that a card is an act of generosity and courtesy to a fellow ham, a demonstration that someone was willing to take the time and make the effort to send a card. The demise of QSL cards is emblematic of a general decline in other-directedness, a sad symptom of the increasingly self-directedness of a technological world.

[@Latanwinde]

Lol they came down in a New York minute LOLOLOL! I bet they did.

[@donaldsmith3048]

Can I get a way to print my own QSL Card? I prin my own business cards. I am trying to find a way to get some cards but don't want to get a large amount of them.

[@HomebrandFishfood]

I’m a new ham (15) and I want to make my own qsl cards it’s just the cost of postage and printing that’s putting me off doing it

[@larryak0z672]

I don't send QSL cards in the mail. But if I receive one, then I will email a photo (jpg) of my card with my design, the size of a postcard. They can print it and paste it on a card or save it in a database or whatever they want. All I have to do is look up their email and attach a photo ( jpg) of my card.

[@AMQ11]

What a horrible idea.

[@AMQ11]

"Ed, K6SDW, has been a Ham since the 1600s " Oh, yeah ?

[@PinakBERT]

1600s? Radio and electricity was is use back then?

[@sq5ebm]

It is getting a bit difficult to get QSL cards. Many ops do it for $$$ only. Some even do LOTW for $$ (S01WS and many others) . I love paper cards. Have lots of them. All stored in photoalbums. It would be great for the top contest organizers to require LOTW confirmations from all participants. Many use ARRL or CQ contest as "money machines" so they can get lots of QSOs/QSLs=>$$$. Contest organizers could force ppl to follow ham spirit and not being dicks.

[@forgetyourlife]

Im 4 states away from getting WAS with qsl cards. 4 years in so far.

[@deadhamwalking]

Do you need Montana?

[@forgetyourlife]

@@deadhamwalking nope. You need Oregon? If you wanna make a QSO and exchange cards anyway I’m all in.

[@CharlesTriesToRetire]

I need to print some QSL cards to send out to the people unfortunate enough to have to muddle their way through a QSO with me.

[@paulhastings3109]

I send and receive QSL cards. The ones that are Expeditions. I've got 2 cigar Boxes full had a tree come to stay round it was nice to leave a hole in the roof. I do have a paper log. What do think about putting them in QRZ. it will be a long time to do. The paper log is on my old call and some on the call I have now. 73 KQ4CD Paul

[@radioguy19510]

I think that you need cards for the WAC award.

[@deadhamwalking]

If you are referring to Worked all Counties, yes you do. But there are minor awards through MARAC that you can earn with just the electronic QSL's.

[@Tommy_Boy.]

QSL, QSL Dave! - WA7FLY

[@buzzsah]

Wallpaper lol.

[@andreVE4BK]

A ham since the 1600’s? 😂

[@butterbean4195]

i will send paper qsl cards always if the dx doesnt want cards oh well i wont send them one. but paper cards is a major part of dxing to me i could care less about computer qsl`s and it isnt the same at all.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

S AND H GREEN STAMPS KG6MN

[@arthurmccutchan7000]

Thanks qsl

[@n8sot]

Are you ever going to get on the air and make contacts??????? Why have QSL cards if you dont get on the air????? Whats going on Dave??

[@MrTommy001]

I'm in a quandary here. I'm a new ham and have heard conflicting opinions about QSL cards (and even whether or not to join the ARRL!) I've gotten a few QSL cards back from other stations already and of course, have none to send them. It's embarrassing! I'm wondering if I should email them and explain that I have NO cards to send back (yet, at least). KD7LWL