In the world of amateur radio, QSL cards are more than just confirmation of a contact - they're tangible pieces of history, each telling a unique story of a moment when two operators, often continents apart, connected through the airwaves.
These cards serve multiple purposes. For the DXer, they're proof of contact for various awards. For the contester, they're validation of a job well done. But for all of us, they're a physical reminder of the magic that happens when we call CQ and a voice (or a series of dits and dahs) answers from the other side of the world.
Sometimes, these cards also serve as unexpected historical artifacts, marking significant geopolitical changes. Take, for instance, my QSL card from a contact made in November 1992 with Wolf, Y23HE, in Berlin. At the time, Wolf was still using his old callsign from the German Democratic Republic (GDR), or East Germany, even though German reunification had occurred two years earlier. This card stands as a fascinating reminder of the transitional period following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany.
Another example is a QSL card confirming a contact made in October 1992 with station YU1AVA, proudly declared its origin as Yugoslavia.
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This QSL card serves as a tangible reminder of a country that no longer exists in the form it did when I made that contact. In 1992, Yugoslavia was in the midst of a complex and often tragic process of dissolution. The country that had existed since 1918 was breaking apart, with Slovenia and Croatia having already declared independence, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the throes of conflict.
On a separate note, I also love this card for the simple hand-written details on the reverse and the simple drawing indicating the simple wire antenna (I assume a dipole or doublet). A wonderful little touch from operator Zik.
Now, each time I hear a Z3 from North Macedonia, an E7 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, or an S5 from Slovenia, I'm reminded of that QSO from 1992 and the changes that have occurred since.
From simple, homemade designs to elaborate artistic creations, QSL cards reflect the personality of the operator and often the culture of their location. In this digital age, where electronic QSLing has become commonplace, there's still something special about receiving a physical card in the post. It's a tradition that harkens back to the early days of radio, yet continues to thrive.
Our QSL cards and logbooks are more than just confirmations of contacts made; they're personal geopolitical time capsules. They remind us of the ever-changing nature of our world and the unique way our hobby connects us to global events.
Antenna: Dipole
Power: 50w
Location: Wellington, Telford
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