What IS “QSL Cards”?
A QSL Card is a written confirmation of either a two-way radiocommunication between two amateur radio stations or a one-way reception of a signal from an AM radio, FM radio or television station. QSL cards can also confirm the reception of a two-way radiocommunication by a third party. A typical QSL card is the same size and made from the same material as a typical postcards, and many are sent through the mail as a standard postcard.
QSL Cards derived their name from the Q code "QSL", which means "I acknowledge receipt." Most are collected by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, TV-FM DXers, and other radio hobbyists. A limited market for older QSL cards, especially those from rare locations or famous stations, as collector’s items.
QSL cards in Amateur Radio
Amateur radio operators exchange QSL cards to confirm two-way communications between stations. A QSL card sent from one amateur radio operator to another contains details about the contact and the station. At a minimum, this includes the CALL SIGN of both stations participating in the communications, the time and date of the contact (usually specified in UTC), the radio frequency used, the mode of transmission used, and a signal report. One national association of amateur radio operators, the ARRL, recommends a size of 3.5 by 5.5 inches (89mm by 140mm). Some QSL cards contain an image, often something associated with the station or the operator.
QSL cards are often required when applying for an amateur radip operating award. Several alternatives to physical QSL cards that must be sent through the mail were developed in the 2000s. These system use computer databases to store all the same information normally verified by QSL cards in an electronic format. Competing systems differ in their functionality and security requirements. Different sponsors of amateur radio operating awards may recognize only one such electronic QSL system in verifying award applications and many awards sponsors do not recognize any such electronic QSL system. Some awards programs use only electronic QSL information. As for JOTA and JOTI, the eQSL cards used is known as "Validation Card" which serves the same purpose, even though actual QSL cards are also sent among JOTA participants in conventional methods.
[Info from Wikipedia]
