Valley Girl Views: HAM Radio QSL Cards - Social Media Before The Internet

Sunday, April 19, 2020

HAM Radio QSL Cards - Social Media Before The Internet

QSL Card For A Montoursville HAM Operator

Today we may scan a QR code, or tap phones together, to exchange contact info. 100 years ago, QSL postcards were how social media contact information was shared.

Amateur radio, often known as HAM radio, is the use of radio frequency for the purposes of non-commercial message exchanges, and for emergency communication. Amateur radio began sometime in the 1890's, with instructions for building simple wireless sets being published in the early twentieth century. Extremely popular in the 1950s and 60's, there are still many active operators, and radio clubs, today.

Many amateur radio operators mailed out personalized cards, known as QSL cards, in the hopes of connecting with other users. The cards would include information like their frequency, location and other bits of information about themselves.

It was basically social media of the time before internet.

The QSL card derives its name from the Q code, a standardized collection of three-letter codes created when radio used Morse code exclusively, a system that was later adopted by amateur radio operators. QSL literally stands for: “I confirm receipt of your transmission”, or simply, "I hear you".

The cards, which became collectible as early as the 1920s, often had fun designs, comics, or photos.

To send out a QSL card with a question mark is to ask: “Do you confirm receipt of my transmission?”

Think of it as the precursor of a facebook friend request.

The Susquehanna Valley Amateur Radio Club is still an active radio club in our area, with regular meetings and events.

Anyone can be a ham radio operator, there is no age limit. However, the FCC does require that you hold a license to operate. There are 3 classes of license and you must pass a test to earn that license in each class: Technician, General and Extra Class. Communications, by law, must be non commercial in nature.

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