QSL cards are exchanged between amateur radio operators worldwide to confirm the on-the-air contact made with each operator. Some are valued for the rarity of the station's location (some countries have not active amateur radio operators due to political, economic, or geographical constraints), others for their value as part of a collection towards a particular award, or just for the reminder of an excellent and enjoyable on-the-air contact.
Above is my QSL card (Forgive the discoloration; it's a feature of the camcorder, lights, and Snappy--Scanning it in on a scanner made look even worse!). It features the Texas DX Society club logo and a QSO data field which is just smaller than a 15/16" x 3.5" mailing label. W4MPY, The QSL Man, produced them for me and for other TDXS members.
Here are some of my favorite cards received.
Contacting people around the world, though similar to contacting people via the Internet, is an even more personal experience because it is done without a direct electrical connection or the efforts of others.
Left QSL: When Peter I. Island was activated (an active ham radio station was established) for a short period of time, for the first time ever, amateur radio operators around the world literally piled up on each other to try to contact them. For those who want to add to their countries worked list, this was at the top of most people's 'need' lists.
Center QSL: This card is a handmade and painted card from the country of Senegal. It is the most exquisite of all the handmade cards I have received over the years.
Right QSL: What can one say about Pitcairn Island without evoking images of H.M.S. Bounty, Fletcher Christian, Captain Bligh, and the sanctuary, however tragic it turned out, Pitcairn offered the mutineers? There will always be a certain romantic side to any contact with Pitcairn.
Left QSL: China has only been on the air on the amateur radio frequencies in the modern era (post-WW II) since about 1980, and then only a couple of stations were operating at first very strictly controlled. What else, except maybe the Great Wall, would you expect to be on a QSL card from China.
Center QSL: The only amateur radio operations out of Tristan de Cunha on a regular basis is on voice. For those of us who prefer to chase countries using other modes of communications (CW = morse code), Roger's expedition to Tristan satisfied thousands of us who needed Tristan on that mode. Thanks, Roger!
Right QSL: Many so-called 'countries' on the amateur radio countries list are something different than was we normally picture as countries (recognized boundaries, a government, an economic system, etc.). The Saharan Arab Democratic Republic, formerly Spanish Western Sahara, was formally proclaimed in 1976. So far, 70 countries have recognized it as a geo-political entity.
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