The art of paper QSLing

Many years ago, I was a part-time QSL card handler for YU7 call area. There were more than 300 individual calls on the books, and around 50 clubs. That was fun: Unpacking and sorting boxes of cards arriving from QSL bureaus worldwide. Today, paper cards are rarely exchanged – we switched to electronic confirmation twenty years ago. Yet there are still chasers who absolutely adore the charm of real, tangible, personal and meaningful QSL cards. A QSO lasts few seconds, QSL cards last forever!

Above are just a few exotic cards that arrived in the mail over the past few weeks. What a feast!

Whether you collect paper cards or not, it is a courtesy to reply to one received directly.

Have a few printed, professionally. It is an insult to reply with a home-made printed card especially nowadays when QSL print shops are everywhere, and 100 cards could be had for as low as $19.

UX5UO whom I can personally recommend, offers 1000 full front colour cards for just $39!

Patek Philippe magazine (only available to Patek Philippe watch owners) is regarded as one of the most sophisticated advertising publications worldwide. Apart from featuring in-depth articles on collectable watches from Patek’s past, as well as complex watches yet to be released, it regularly features articles on art, music, photography and other subjects. In 2009, it published an article on vintage QSL cards, highlighting the unique aspect of collecting as a form of expression.

Amateur radio is a sophisticated hobby. It really hurts me when we reduce it to just a vulgar “No, I can get it cheaper elsewhere”.