QSL
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Image:Radio Moscow logo.png QSL, or QSL card, is the confirmation of a QSO (a radio contact) between two radio amateurs. "QSL" is a Q code, which means "I confirm contact with you."
A QSL card is a (usually postcard-sized) hardcopy, containing the specific details of a QSO. It usually contains the callsign of both operators, the time and date of the QSO (usually in UTC), the radio frequency used, the mode of transmission used, and RST (Readability, Strength, Tone) reports exchanged. RST is a numeric code, that indicates how well (or badly) the radio signal was received.
Sometimes the QSL card will contain an image, perhaps of something associated with the operator's home town. QSL cards are very important to the radio amateur since they confirm that a QSO took place and are used as proof when applying for a Ham Award.
A 21st century innovation is the Electronic QSL Card or eQSL, which can be transmitted automatically by most logging software to the Electronic QSL Card Centre and appears at the recipient's inbox within a matter of seconds. Electronic QSLs can be printed or used for eAwards, and unlike their traditional printed counterparts, cost nothing to print, mail, or exchange.
Short Wave Listeners can also exchange QSL cards, also referred to as SWL cards, with amateur and commercial radio operators, although most collect QSL cards or letters from international broadcasting or utility stations. For many international broadcasters, QSL cards serve as publicity tools rather than for gathering data on receptions.
QSL's are also used in DXing AM, FM and TV stations, although that is not as common as it was in the 1960s and '70s.
External links
- KLog - Software for QSL managing
- Electronic QSL Cards
- Martin Elbe's QSL-Pages QSL-Collection of broadcasting stationsde:QSL-Karte