subject: Cb Radio, Qsl Cards And Mail [print this page] Humans seem to have a need to communicateHumans seem to have a need to communicate. That may be why there are now many ways to send messages and information instantly to all corners of the world. Computers and the Internet have opened the world to almost everyone.
A mere 200 years ago, communication was by slow hand held delivery or in person. Naval Captains and Admirals received written orders that might have been written more than a month before. Is there a war or not? Talking was in person only.
The telegraph helped, on land, but only for trained operators. The telephone took it another step, letting anyone with access to the machine to use it. Radio came to improve the telegraph and free it from its land locked wires. Radio sets entertained and informed people in their homes. Politicians didn't need to do quite as much traveling.
Television allowed the people to see things they had never seen before. The information highway was growing lanes, faster and faster. The world suddenly shrank. Communication was and is used for work, fun, good, and, sadly, also evil. Satellites removed the need for underwater cable to span the world. Watch a war live! Business progresses at the speed of light. Send a message to anyone, talk to anyone, even see them as you are talking, all at the press of a button.
The form of communication used for centuries is suffering. Writing is used less and less, and the skills needed for writing, spelling and grammar are being lost. And, do you keep romantic e-mails or text messages?
Some radio enthusiasts still use written communication, after the electronic form. Printed cards, called QSL cards, are sent to inform of a signal received and to query if a sent signal got there. QSL is a term from 'Ham' or amateur radio and earlier forms when radio was more formal. QSL means 'did you hear me?' or 'I heard you'. QSL cards are like postcards. First used in 1916, their use grew until most of the world used them or something like them.
Same 3 by 5 inch size as a recipe card, there are places for call-sign, used by 'hams' mostly, the frequency used and the date of the contact. Cards may be personalized with photos, original graphics, and location of the operator, since the address is needed for any return message. Uniqueness of the cards has spurred the hobby of collecting to be added to radio.
CB enthusiasts who receive long distance signals have adopted the use of QSL cards. Collectors prize their QSL cards which may history of many years of personal global communications.
Like postcards, QSL cards are sent by 'snail' mail. Some countries may have a centralized bureau through which cards for that country may be sent. Groups with radios in remote areas often have one member to record the QSLs received and sent.
Of course there is now a way to send and receive QSL cards over the internet. Send a jpg or gif picture file of your card and pick up those for you at http://eQSL.cc. Then to preserve the use of cards, print it and add it to your collection.
