A QSL card is a written confirmation of a two-way radio-communication between two amateur (ham) radio stations. A typical QSL card is a special size but made from the same material as a typical postcard, and most are sent through the mail in envelopes so as not to get mangled by the post office machinery.
QSL card derived its name from the Q code “QSL”. A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question (when the code is followed by a question mark.) In this case, when one ham says to another… ‘QSL?’ (note the question mark) it means “Do you confirm receipt of my transmission?” The other ham will normally reply ‘QSL’ (without a question mark) which means “I confirm receipt of your transmission.”
Part of the fun of amateur radio collecting cards, called QSL cards, from other amateurs that you’ve talked to on the radio. Some people like to collect stamps form various parts of the world but hams collect QSLs.
- Card Maker offers a fantastic platform to help make beautiful cards from existing shapes and easy-to-use drawing tools. It is compatible with Mac OS X, Windows and Linux systems. It is compatible with Mac OS X, Windows and Linux systems.
- Qsl Card Maker; Wizard Of Oz; Pc Wizard. One of the biggest challenges after working contacts is sending out QSL cards for contacts worked and while there are many options including custom printing many people prefer to create them from their own logbook programs. DreamPlan Home Design Software Free for Mac v.5.34 Home Plan and Landscape.
Another reason for collecting QSL cards is to participate in the many certificate programs available to amateurs. Whether it’s getting your DXCC (DX century club) for getting cards confirming contacts with 100 or more DX countries, working all states in the U.S., all provinces in Canada, or many other awards available you will need the cards to support your claim for the award.
Jan 02, 1999 If you have a computer with word processing software and a printer, you can make your own custom QSL cards, with each card individually printed for the ham you just contacted. Click here to see a full size example. It's a fun project, and your cards will be unique. Here's how: = =.
Our service is simple. We do custom QSL cards for a very reasonable price.
We produce exceptional quality amateur radio QSL cards with a gloss finish using your photographs, artwork, or text. We put a contact report form on the back with ARRL or other logos if desired. Our cards are full color both sides!
QSL CARDS QSL cards themselves are a part of the cost equation of QSLing. The cost of 1000 QSLs can range anywhere from $30 (or less) for 'plain' cards to over $100 for really nice color photo glossy cards. I personally use color photo cards because I think it increases the 'thrill' of receiving a card. Download qsl print software for free. Office Tools downloads - AGW QSL Design & Print by SV2AGW and many more programs are available for instant and free download.
Use your own picture. We can design for mailing as a postcard for lower postage expense ~ 5.5 x 3.5 inches (bureau recommended size.) We can do portrait or landscape mode.
We can use any picture you like… of you, of your shack, your dog, or maybe a favorite place… anything. (Large pictures work much better. We can always make them smaller. We can’t easily make them larger.)
If you supply the pix, the cost of pre-press is $75. If you want us to search for pix or if your job entails more work the price is obviously going to be higher.
[We suggest you Google for royalty-free pictures. One well-known site is unsplash.com.]
We do the pre-press artwork ourselves. We use a trade printer which does great work for us. We handle the entire transaction… you make one payment to us, we pay them, they ship directly to you… easy peasy.
Card specifications
- 14 pt. (.014″) card stock with standard QSL 3.5 x 5.5 in. trim size
- Full color, high resolution, high luster card front
- Full color printed on back back
- Aqueous gloss finish on both sides (but writeable on back)
Print Quantities
We print in quantities of 250 or 500.
Shipping
Shipping for cards is by ground averages $20.
Out the door
So, for really nice QSL cards shipped to Chicago, you are looking at :
(Sales tax will be charged to applicable customers.)
We have a no-questions-asked guarantee. If you don’t like your QSL cards, send them back to us and we will refund what you paid, minus shipping.
![Qsl card maker for mac shortcut Qsl card maker for mac shortcut](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GhAAAOSwSC1fC36Z/s-l640.jpg)
Do you want a really nice QSL card, one you can be proud of and which will set you apart from all the other hams? If so, contact us.
Here are a few examples of our work.
To see more samples of our work click here.
Advice on QSLing
1. Check the time in UTC/date/Call on your card is correct.
2. Enclose a self addressed envelope with your address in full,including your country,
3. Enclose IRC's/$$ (SASE for domestic) to cover return postage costs.
![Qsl Card Maker For Mac Qsl Card Maker For Mac](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126291138/697923428.png)
4. Use only the route given by the operator. If the operator tells youto QSL direct only or via his manager, do just that. There is no point inflooding the QSL Bureau with cards if he is not a member,
5. Use security tinted envelopes for your outgoing and returnenvelopes. Ensure that your return envelope is big enough. Theminiature 5.5x3.5 envelopes so many US hams are fond of using is too small andmany cards will have to be chopped , folded, or thrown away. Do not use a returnenvelope that has to be folded inside the outgoing envelope. Lumpyenvelopes invite curiosity. I have used Number 10 business envelopes withsecurity tinting for all outgoing cards for years with excellent results. I havean 'Air Mail' stamp from the office supply store I use on the foreignenvelopes. For return envelopes, we have manufactureda security tinted 3 7/8' x 7 1/2' white 22lb reply envelope that wesell in a pack of 25 for $3.00 plus $2.000 s/h. We also have them in a pack of 100 for $10.00 plus $8.00 s/h. This envelopes works greatfor Asian, European and Domestic replies.
6. Don't write the date backward. 02-11-98 is 2 November 1998. Many DX stations are not on computer and you will get a 'not inlog' reply.
7. If your QSL is double sided, is your call printed on both sides? If the call is on one side and the information is on the other, it makesfor errors when large numbers of cards are processed.
8. Imagine you do not speak the native language. Is your addressclear on your card? Many cards are designed with the operator name in oneplace, the address in another, and the city and state in still another.
9. Is your county on your card? Many recipients of your card arecounty hunters. How about grid squares and IOTA?
10. Enclose an extra $ or IRC with your card. There is no profit inQSLing for the DX station or manager. They are providing you with a service, andthey probably don't need another 'W' card for their collection.
11. Avoid dealing with postage stamp dealers. Most times you will savemoney by sending IRC's or $$, and chances are the stamps are obsolete or postagerates have changed by the time they receive your card.
______________________________________________________
I pulled the following off the DX Reflector a while back. Ithink Doug has some great ideas here.
____________________________________________