QSL Cards

The final courtesy of the QSO is a QSL.

a saying published by many a ham operator
One of the coolest things I discovered when I started operating amateur radio is the exchange of QSL cards. Since most of us seem to favor electronic logs (with good reason — they are easier to correct, sort, search through, etc.), these days, after a contact is over, the only evidence that it occurred is the memory of the contact. To me, QSL cards are a way to bring some permanence to the existence of the contact that occurred.

I read an article somewhere just before I got my license and the author of that article (which I can't seem to find) was reflecting on his discovery of his father's QSL cards. He found a shoebox full of QSL cards from all over the world, and he mused about how there were quite a few places listed on those cards that don't even exist anymore. His dad had made contact with the USSR, Czechoslovakia, and Zaire for example. That makes those little pieces of cardstock a window to the past.

I like collecting things, and QSLs are awesome to me. I like to be able to see the individual style of someone that I've made contact with, no matter if that contact was voice or digital. I've already gotten some pretty neat cards and am always excited when I go to my post office box and see cards inside. TLDR: I like QSL cards and would like yours if I've had the pleasure of working your station. Below, I'll have my policy on QSLs. But before that, I figured I would share my cards with you. When this page loads, a random QSL card I've received will show up. It'll take me some time to scan all of them in; even after I have, it will also take time for me to add new ones after I've received them.

Here is a random QSL card that I've received. I do appreciate receiving it and hope you are happy to get to see it. If you have sent me a QSL card, it'll probably show up here eventually. Eventually, I'd like to put a bit of information about each QSL card, but I haven't yet figured out a way to make it happen easily. Maybe it'll happen sometime in the future.

A preview of my QSL card. If you want it, send me yours! How do I approach QSL cards? First of all, I've got to say that I want your QSL card. I will send you my card if I receive one from you. I do not need you to send a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) or money for postage, but if you do send me something to offset the cost, I wouldn't mind. Postage is ridiculous these days. The way I see it though, is if you're willing to pay for postage to send me your card, it's only right for me to reciprocate. If you do send me a SASE, you'll probably receive a QSL card faster though, since it'll be trivial for me to drop one in the mail.

I get my cards from UX5UO, a printer in the Ukraine. His work is excellent. I don't have a whole bunch currently on hand, and am waiting on ordering new ones until the conflict in that area of the world calms down a bit. What does that mean exactly? It means that it might be a little time before I send out QSL cards, but I am keeping track of those that still need them.

You can send me QSL cards directly, which is how I would prefer to receive them. My address is as follows:

Steven Williamson
P.O. Box 1651
Hereford, AZ 85615-1651

If you send me a card via the bureau, I will eventually get them, but I don't prefer that system. If I receive them via bureau, I won't send them that way, but will send them directly if possible. I also use QRZ, LoTW, and eQSL, but I don't consider them to be legitimate replacements for physical cards. After all, my daughters also enjoy looking at the QSLs I receive and I wouldn't want to deprive them of that! 😄