Paul SIMMONDS (VK5PAS)
  • WELCOME
  • MY LIFE IN AMATEUR RADIO
  • WIA PRESIDENTS AWARDS
  • CONTACTS MADE
  • MY AMATEUR RADIO STATION
    • Standard licence conditions
    • My antennas
    • My previous antennas
    • My transceivers
    • My 'boat anchors'
    • My shack project
    • Old shack photos
    • My towers
    • Antenna/TX switching
    • Microphones
    • Communications receivers & scanners
    • My logging program
    • Rotators
    • CW equipment
    • BITX40
    • Other equipment
    • EMDRC Powerpole Dist Board Kit
  • VK5PAS - QSL CARDS RECEIVED
    • AFGHANISTAN
    • ALAND ISLANDS
    • ALASKA
    • ALBANIA
    • ALGERIA
    • AMERICAN SAMOA
    • AMSTERDAM & ST PAUL ISLANDS
    • ANDAMAN ISLANDS
    • ANDORRA
    • ANGOLA
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    • ARGENTINA
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    • AUSTRAL ISLAND
    • AUSTRALIA
    • AUSTRIA
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    • BANGLADESH
    • BARBADOS
    • BELARUS
    • BELGIUM
    • BELIZE
    • BENIN
    • BERMUDA
    • BHUTAN
    • BOLIVIA
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    • BOTSWANA
    • BRAZIL
    • BRUNEI
    • BULGARIA
    • CAMBODIA
    • CAMEROON
    • CANADA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CAPE VERDE
    • CAYMAN ISLANDS
    • CENTRAL KIRIBATI
    • CEUTA AND MELILLIA
    • CHAGOS ISLAND
    • CHATHAM ISLANDS
    • CHILE
    • CHINA
    • CHRISTMAS ISLAND
    • CLIPPERTON ISLAND
    • COCOS KEELING ISLANDS
    • COLOMBIA
    • COMOROS
    • CONGO
    • CONWAY REEF
    • CORSICA
    • COSTA RICA
    • CRETE
    • CROATIA
    • CROZET
    • CUBA
    • CURACAO
    • CYPRUS
    • CZECH REPUBLIC
    • DENMARK
    • DJIBOUTI
    • DODECANESE
    • DOMINICA
    • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
    • EAST KIRIBATI
    • EAST MALAYSIA
    • EASTER ISLAND
    • ECUADOR
    • EGYPT
    • EL SALVADOR
    • ENGLAND
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • ERITREA
    • ESTONIA
    • ESWANTINI (SWAZILAND)
    • ETHIOPIA
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    • FALKLAND ISLANDS
    • FAROE ISLANDS
    • FIJI
    • FINLAND
    • FRANCE
    • FRENCH GUIANA
    • FRENCH POLYNESIA
    • GABON
    • GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
    • GEORGIA
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    • GIBRALTAR
    • GREECE
    • GREENLAND
    • GRENADA
    • GUADELOUPE
    • GUAM
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    • GUERNSEY
    • HAIITI
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    • HEARD ISLAND
    • HONDURAS
    • HONG KONG
    • HUNGARY
    • ICELAND
    • INDIA
    • INDONESIA
    • IRAN
    • IRAQ
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    • ISLE OF MAN
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    • LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS
    • LAOS
    • LATVIA
    • LEBANON
    • LESOTHO
    • LIECHTENSTEIN
    • LITHUANIA
    • LORD HOWE ISLAND
    • LUXEMBOURG
    • MACAO
    • MACEDONIA
    • MACQUARIE ISLAND
    • MADAGASCAR
    • MADEIRA ISLAND
    • MALAWI
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    • MALI
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    • MARION ISLANDS
    • MARKET REEF
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    • MARTINIQUE
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    • MAYOTTE ISLAND
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    • MOLDOVA
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    • MYANMAR
    • NAMIBIA
    • NAURU
    • NEPAL
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    • NEW CALEDONIA
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    • NEW ZEALAND SUB ANTARCTIC
    • NICARAGUA
    • NIGER REPUBLIC
    • NIGERIA
    • NIUE
    • NORFOLK ISLAND
    • NORTH COOK ISLANDS
    • NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
    • NORTHERN IRELAND
    • NORWAY
    • OGASAWARA
    • OMAN
    • PAKISTAN
    • PALAU
    • PALESTINE
    • PALMYRA & JARVIS ISLANDS
    • PANAMA
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    • PARAGUAY
    • PERU
    • PHILIPPINES
    • PITCAIRN ISLAND
    • POLAND
    • PORTUGAL
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    • QATAR
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    • ROMANIA
    • ROTUMA
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    • SABA AND ST EUSTATIUS
    • SAMOA
    • SAN ANDRES
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    • SARDINIA
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    • SCOTLAND
    • SENEGAL
    • SERBIA
    • SEYCHELLES
    • SINGAPORE
    • SLOVAK REPUBLIC
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    • SOLOMON ISLANDS
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    • SOUTH KOREA
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    • SOVEREIGN MILITARY ORDER OF MALTA
    • SPAIN
    • SPRATLY ISLAND
    • SRI LANKA
    • ST BARTHELMEY
    • ST BRANDON ISLAND
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    • ST KITTS
    • ST LUCIA
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    • SUDAN
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    • SWAINS ISLAND
    • SWEDEN
    • SWITZERLAND
    • TAIWAN
    • TAJIKISTAN
    • TANZANIA
    • THAILAND
    • THE GAMBIA
    • TIMOR LESTE
    • TOKELAU
    • TONGA
    • TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
    • TRISTAN DA CUNHA & GOUGH ISLAND
    • TUNISIA
    • TURKEY
    • TURKS & CAICOS
    • TUVALU
    • UGANDA
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    • UK SOV BASE AREAS ON CYPRUS
    • UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
    • UNITED NATIONS
    • URUGUAY
    • USA
    • UZBEKISTAN
    • VANUATU
    • VENEZUELA
    • VIETNAM
    • VIRGIN ISLANDS (BRITISH)
    • VIRGIN ISLANDS (USA)
    • WAKE ISLAND
    • WALES
    • WALLIS & FUTUNA
    • WESTERN KIRIBATI
    • WEST MALAYSIA
    • WESTERN SAHARA
    • WILLIS ISLAND
    • ZAMBIA
    • ZIMBABWE
    • MARITIME MOBILE
    • SWL cards
    • Special event QSL cards
    • My QSL Manager, Charles M0OXO
    • My QSL card printer
  • VK5PAS PORTABLE
  • VK5PAS MOBILE
    • VK5PAS MOBILE - QSL CARDS RECEIVED
    • VK5PAS MOBILE - EQSL CARDS RECEIVED
  • AX5PAS
    • Australia Day
    • ANZAC Day
    • AX5PAS QSL cards received
  • VK9PAS NORFOLK ISLAND
    • VK9PAS QSL CARDS RECEIVED
    • VK9PAS - EQSL CARDS RECEIVED
  • SPECIAL CALL SIGNS
    • VK80MAN
    • VI7POL
    • VI60IOTA
    • VK80LAN
    • VK90ABC
    • VI100AF and VK100AF
    • VI100PEACE
    • VI5LWF
    • VK20HOME
    • VI9ANZAC
    • VI5ANZAC
    • VK100ANZAC
    • VK100ANZAC - Farina 2015
    • VI5MARCONI
    • VK5WOW & VI5WOW
    • VI50IARU3
    • VI70MI
  • VK5FPAS - MY OLD CALL
    • QSL CARDS RECEIVED - VK5FPAS
    • LETTERS RECEIVED - VK5FPAS
  • MY QSL INFO
  • MY QTH - ASHBOURNE
    • My property
    • Ashbourne historical photographs
    • Bushfires
    • Adelaide Hills Rally
    • Tour Down Under
    • Steam Ranger
    • Strathalbyn
  • Classic Adelaide Rally
  • ALL ABOUT AUSTRALIA
    • How big is Australia ?
    • Melbourne Cup
  • SOUTH AUSTRALIA
    • Adelaide
    • South Australia icons
    • Superloop 500 car race
    • Bay to Birdwood
    • Adelaide Crows
    • Adelaide Oval
  • ALL ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO
    • What is amateur radio?
    • Callsigns
    • Getting help
    • History of AR in Australia
    • How many amateurs are in Australia
    • Patron Saint of AR
    • Licences and Callsigns
    • Making a successful QSO
    • UTC time
    • Ham jargon
    • Phonetic alphabet
    • QRZ.com
    • Broadcasts
    • Boat anchors
  • PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS
  • AMATEUR RADIO VIDEOS
  • PORTABLE OPERATION
    • Portable Hints
    • Antennas
    • Squid Poles
    • Tuner
    • Batteries/power sources
    • Bitx40
    • Other equipment
    • John Moyle Memorial Field Day
    • Beaches on the Air (BOTA)
    • Freeze your butt off
    • Field Radio
    • Great Outdoors Radio Club
    • Logging contacts
    • Fast Log Entry (FLE)
    • Pedestrian mobile
    • Bicycle mobile
    • Articles
    • Promotional material
  • MOBILE OPERATION
  • VK5 PARKS AWARD
    • CERTIFICATES
    • My VK5 Parks activities >
      • Activator >
        • 2019
        • 2018
        • 2017
        • 2016
        • 2015
        • 2014
        • 2013
      • Hunter >
        • 2017
        • 2016
        • 2015
        • 2014
        • 2013
      • Park to Park
    • Activations with other amateurs
    • Videos >
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
  • WORLD WIDE FLORA & FAUNA (WWFF)
    • VKFF Awards
    • WWFF Global awards
    • National program awards
    • VKFF Activation Weekend
    • VKFF Team Championship
    • Top VKFF Activator
    • Top VKFF Hunter
    • Top WWFF Activator
    • WWFF QSL cards received
    • My portable QSL cards
    • My WWFF videos >
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
    • VI10VKFF
    • VKFF National Get Together >
      • 2023
    • Other activators - videos
    • Activations with other amateurs
    • My favourite activations
    • DX CONTACTS
  • SUMMITS ON THE AIR (SOTA)
    • Getting started in SOTA
    • How do summits qualify?
    • What is prominence?
    • Activation zone
    • Tips for activators
    • Tips for Chasers
    • Australia's mountains & elevation
    • Accessing private property
    • Keeping land owners happy
    • SOTA in South Australia (VK5)
    • My SOTA activities
    • My SOTA certificates
    • My SOTA QSL cards
    • Certificates of Appreciation
    • My SOTA activation videos >
      • 2016
      • 2014
      • 2013
    • Other SOTA videos
    • DX SOTA contacts
    • Activations with other amateurs
    • SOTA QSL cards received
    • SOTA apps
    • Maps
    • Interesting websites
    • Presentations
    • VK5 - 1 year anniversary
    • Summitsbase
    • PEAKERY
    • Trig points
    • Stone walls
  • HEMA
    • HEMA VIDEOS
  • GLOBAL MOUNTAIN ACTIVITY GROUP
  • KEITH ROGET MEMORIAL NATIONAL PARKS AWARD
    • My KRMNPA progress
    • Other KRMPA certificates
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
  • ISLANDS ON THE AIR (IOTA)
    • My IOTA activations
    • IOTA - AUSTRALIA
    • Flinders Island 2024
    • Troubridge Island - 2023
    • Bruny Island, Tasmania
    • Tasmania OC-006
    • Norfolk Island - 2016
    • Kangaroo Island - 2013
    • Granite Island - 2013
    • Kangaroo Island - 2012
    • IOTA QSL cards received
    • VK IOTA
  • BEACHES ON THE AIR (BOTA)
  • SILOS ON THE AIR (SiOTA)
  • ILLW - LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND
    • History of ILLW
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • Warburto Light
  • MILLS ON THE AIR
  • AWARDS
    • DXCC
    • WORKED ALL STATES
    • New Zealand
    • QRZ.com Awards
    • eQSL Awards
    • WIA Awards
    • WIA Presidents Commendation
    • Digital mode awards
    • 2017 WIA AGM Award
    • Ted Powell Memorial DX Challenge
    • Italian Castles Award
    • VK Shires
    • Belgium Castles and Fortresses
    • Japan Awards
    • ANZAC Centennary Award
    • USA Counties Award
    • World Castles Award
  • CONTESTING
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • WIA Contest Champion
    • Freeze your Butt Off (FYBO)
    • WARCA
  • TIPS ON MAKING A QSO
  • BAND POLICE
  • SIGNAL REPORTS
  • WORKING DX
    • DX Cluster
    • DX videos & audio
    • DX Code of Conduct
    • Interesting contacts
    • DX Contacts
    • Special Event stations
    • DX articles
  • HAM ALERT
  • PROPAGATION
    • Long path and Short path
    • Sunspot cycle
    • VOACAP
    • spaceweather.com
    • Space Weather Prediction Center
    • Space Weather Woman 2023
    • SPACE WEATHER WOMAN 2022
    • SPACE WEATHER WOMAN 2021
    • SPACE WEATHER WOMAN 2020
    • SPACE WEATHER WOMAN 2019
    • SPACE WEATHER WOMAN 2018
    • Propagation articles
    • BEAM HEADINGS
  • COLLECTING QSL CARDS
  • QSL CARD CHECKING
    • DXCC Card checker
    • Logbook of the World (LOTW)
    • CQ Awards
    • WIA Awards
  • 28 MHZ, 10 METRE BAND
    • Sporadic E
    • 10m beacons
    • 10m repeaters
    • 10-10 International
    • 10m Contests
    • 10m band Facebook pages
    • Videos
  • 6M, THE MAGIC BAND
  • 15M BAND
  • DIGITAL MODES
    • FT8
    • FT8DMC Awards
    • FT4
    • FT4DMC AWARDS
    • PSK31 & PSK63
    • PSK Reporter
  • VHF/UHF
  • MORSE CODE - CW
  • WSPR
  • APRS
  • IRLP
  • AMATEUR SATELLITES
  • QRP
  • ANTENNAS & BALUNS
  • COAX
  • CONNECTORS
  • BATTERIES
  • PORTS
  • TOWERS
  • VSWR
  • OSCILLOSCOPES
  • ELIMINATING NOISE
  • OVER THE HORIZON RADAR
  • RUSSIAN WOODPECKER
  • NETS
    • Net tips
    • How to be a good net controller
    • Southern Cross DX Net/Family Hour Net
    • Triple H Net
    • ANZA DX Net
  • QRZ.com
  • QRZCQ
  • ACMA
  • WIRELESS INSTITUE OF AUSTRALIA (WIA)
    • History
    • Callbook
    • WIA AGM Hahndorf 2017
    • WIA AGM Norfolk Island 2016
    • WIA AGM Canberra 2015
    • WIA National Field Day 2010
  • RASA
  • ALARA
  • WOMEN IN AMATEUR RADIO
  • VK5MAZ MARIJA - MY WIFE
    • VK5MAZ - QSL cards received
    • VK5FMAZ - QSL cards received
    • VK5 Parks Award
    • WWFF
    • Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award
    • SOTA
    • Digital modes
    • ALARA Meet 2023
    • eQSL
    • VK100AF and VI100AF
    • VK80LAN
    • MILLS ON THE AIR
    • BOTA
    • Silos On The Air (SiOTA)
    • Other Awards
    • Contesting
    • DL1DN QRP contact
    • Videos
  • AMATEUR RADIO MOVIES AND TV SHOWS
  • WELL KNOWN AMATEURS
    • Biographies
    • Florence Violet McKENZIE
  • SILENT KEYS
  • BELGIUM 2014
  • HAM EXPOS & CONVENTIONS
    • ANTENNAPALOOZA - 2017
    • AREG Car Boot Sale 2022
    • SERG CONVENTION >
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
    • BRL GATHERING >
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
  • RADIO INTERVIEWS
  • PRESENTATIONS & EVENTS
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014 >
      • SOTA & PARKS Symposium 2014
      • SOTA & Parks practical day
    • 2013
  • FACEBOOK PAGES
  • HAMS I HAVE MET
    • Northern Corridor Group WA
  • LETTERS RECEIVED
  • HAM PHOTOS
    • G4AKC Dave
    • VK9JA Norfolk Island
  • QSL CARDS FROM FELLOW POLICE OFFICERS
  • AHARS
  • STRATHALBYN AMATEUR RADIO GROUP
  • PACIFIC DXers
  • OUT AND ABOUT IN VK5
  • SCHOOL RADIO CLUB
  • ANTIQUE RADIOS
    • Airzone N3102
    • AWA
    • HMV Little Nipper Mk II A13B
    • HMV Little Nipper
    • Hotpoint
    • Kriesler 11-20A bakelite
    • Mullard
    • Radiola
    • Scharnberg Strauss
    • Stromberg Carlson
    • Tefifon
    • History of HMV
  • HISTORICAL RADIO SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA
  • OLD COMMUNICATION RECEIVERS
  • VKS-737 RADIO NETWORK
  • RADIO HISTORY - AUSTRALIA
  • SHORT WAVE LISTENING (SWL)
    • Short Wave Explained - videos
    • Broadcast Listeners Licence
    • My SWL receivers
    • Yaesu FRG-7700
    • Yaesu FRG7
    • My SWL antennas
    • FSL Antenna
    • My SWL QSL cards
    • What is a QSL card?
    • Reception Report tips
    • SINPO / SIO code
    • Useful websites
    • Broadcast QSL cards received
    • Amateur radio QSL cards received - VK5003SWL
    • Amateur radio QSL cards received - SWL L50000
    • Amateur Radio Awards
    • Letters received - VK5003SWL
    • WIA membership
    • SWARL
    • ARDXC
    • NASWA Journal
    • DX Monitor
    • Southern Cross DX Club
    • Amateur radio videos
    • Broadcast station videos
    • Interval signals
    • Audio files - Commercial broadcasters
    • Audio files - Amateur radio
    • World of Radio
    • World Radio TV Handbook
    • SWL Antennas
    • SWL pages on the Internet
    • Documents
    • Newspaper articles
    • Other articles
    • Videos
    • New Zealand DX Times
    • DX Guides
    • Latin American DXing
    • TECSUN
  • SHORT WAVE BROADCAST STATIONS
    • 4KZ Queensland
    • Adventist World Radio
    • Alcaravan Radio, Colombia
    • All India Radio
    • Armed Forces Radio & TV Network
    • Australian Broadcasting Corporation - ABC
    • Bangladesh Betar
    • Bay Islands Radio, Queensland
    • BBC World Service
    • Beibu Bay Radio, China
    • Bible Voice Broadcasting
    • Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    • CFRX Toronto, Canda
    • Channel 292, GERMANY
    • China Huyai Broadcasting Corporation
    • China National Radio CNR2 BUSINESS RADIO
    • China National Radio CNR6
    • China National Radio CNR7 THE GREAT BAY
    • China National Radio CNR8
    • China National Radio CNR13
    • China National Radio CNR17
    • China Radio International
    • Deutsche Welle, Germany
    • Dimsti Weyane Tigray
    • Echo of Hope, South Korea
    • Echo of Unification, North Korea
    • FEBA Radio India
    • FEBA Radio Pakistan
    • FEBC Radio International
    • Free North Korea Radio
    • Furusato No Kaze, Japan
    • Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
    • HCJB, Ecuador
    • HCJB, Voz Andes, Ecuador
    • Hobart Radio International
    • Hope Radio, Palau
    • Ifrikya FM
    • Ilbon-ui Baram, Japan
    • Kari National Radio, Papua New Guinea
    • KBS World Radio, South Korea
    • KHBI, Saipan
    • KNLS, Alaska
    • Kol Israel
    • Korean Central Broadcasting Station
    • KSDA Adventist World Radio
    • KTWR, Guam
    • KYOI, Saipan
    • Mizzima Radio, Myanmar
    • Myanmar Radio
    • National Broadcasting Commission, Papua New Guinea
    • National Unity Radio, South Korea
    • NHK World, Japan
    • Nihon Shortwave Broadcasting Corp, Japan
    • North Korea Reform Radio
    • Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation
    • Peace and Progress, USSR
    • Peoples Broadcasting Station Gannan
    • Peoples Broadcasting Station Hulun Buir
    • Peoples Broadcasting Station Qinghai, China
    • Peoples Broadcasting Station Xinjiang
    • Peoples Broadcasting Station Xizang, China
    • Pyongyang Broadcasting Station, North Korea
    • Raadiyyoni Dirree Shaggar
    • Radio 567, Australia
    • Radio Afghanistan International
    • Radio Al Azm, Saudi Arabia
    • Radio Algerienne
    • Radio Australia
    • Radio Austria International
    • Radio Azadi
    • Radio Baghdad, Iraq
    • Radio Beijing, China
    • Radio Berlin International
    • Radio Brasil Central, Brazil
    • Radio Bucharest, Romania
    • Radio Budapest, Hungary
    • Radio Bulgaria
    • Radio Cairo, Egypt
    • Radio Canada International
    • Radio Channel 292
    • Radio Dabanga
    • Radio Dap Loi Song Nui
    • Radio Dardasha
    • Radio DX Norfolk Island
    • Radio Educacion, Mexico
    • Radio Ergo, Kenya
    • Radio Ethiopia
    • Radio exterior de Espana, Spain
    • Radio Farda
    • Radio Finland
    • Radio for Peace International
    • Radio France International
    • Radio Free Asia
    • Radio Free Europe
    • Radio Habana, Cuba
    • Radio Ibrahim
    • Radio Iran International
    • Radio Japan
    • Radio Korea
    • Radio Kuwait
    • Radio Madang, PNG
    • Radio Manara International
    • Radio Marti
    • Radio Mashaal
    • Radio Mazaris Samay
    • Radio Moscow
    • Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brazil
    • Radio Ndarason Internationale
    • Radio Nederland, Netherlands
    • Radio New Zealand
    • Radio Nikkei
    • Radio Norway International
    • Radio NUG
    • Radio Peking, China
    • Radio Portugal
    • Radio Prague International
    • Radio Praha
    • Radio Pyongyang, North Korea
    • Radio Reading Service, New Zealand
    • Radio Rebelde, Cuba
    • Radio Romania International
    • Radio RSA, South Africa
    • Radio Sadaye Zindagi
    • Radio San'a, Yemen
    • Radio Singapore International
    • Radio Slovakia International
    • Radio Sofia, Bulgaria
    • Radio Sweden International
    • Radio Taiwan International
    • Radio Tamazuj
    • Radio Tampa, Japan
    • Radio Tapei International
    • Radio Tarma, Peru
    • Radio Tashkent
    • Radio Thailand
    • Radio Tirana, Albania
    • Radio Ukraine International
    • Radio Ulan Bator, Mongolia
    • Radio Vanuatu
    • Radio Veritas Asia
    • Radio Vilnius
    • Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal, Belgium
    • Radio Voz Missionaria, Brazil
    • Radio Yugoslavia
    • Radyo Denge Gel
    • Radyo Denge Welat
    • Radyo Pilipinas, Philippines
    • RAI, Italy
    • Reach Beyond Australia
    • Republic of Yemen
    • RTM Malaysia
    • RTM Sarawak, Malaysia
    • Shan News Radio
    • Shiokaze - Sea Breeze, Japan
    • Shortwave Australia
    • Singapore Broadcasting Corporation
    • Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)
    • Sound of Hope, China
    • Supreme Master Television
    • Swiss Radio International
    • Symban World Radio
    • Texas Radio Shortwave
    • Thazin Radio, Myanmar
    • The Overcomer Ministry, USA
    • Trans World Radio
    • Trans World Radio Asia
    • Trans World Radio Bonaire
    • Trans World Radio, India
    • Unique Radio Australia
    • United Nations Radio
    • Symban World Radio, Australia
    • Unknown 3990 kHz
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COLLECTING QSL CARDS

WHAT IS A QSL CARD?

A QSL card is a documented confirmation of a contact with another amateur radio station.

QSL cards are also used by....
  • CB radio operators​
  • short Wave Listeners (SWL)
  • broadcast stations
Sending and receiving QSL cards is a traditional part of the hobby of amateur radio.  It dates back to the early years of the hobby.  Sending a QSL card is often referred to as the 'final courtesy of a QSO'.

QSL cards are often referred to by amateur radio oeprators as 'wallpaper'.

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WHAT DOES QSL MEAN?

The term QSL is adopted from the Q code, a standardised collection of 3 letter codes that each start with Q.  They were initially designed for commercial radiotelegraph communication, and were later adopted by amateur radio.

The Q codes were created c. 1909 by the British Government, prepared for the use of British ships and coast stations licenced by the Postmaster General.

Q.  Can you acknowledge receipt?

A.  Yes I am acknowledging receipt.

​Therefore a QSL card is an acknowledgement card.


HISTORY OF QSL CARDS.

In June 1916 a letter appeared in QST magazine from Edward Andrews 3TW os Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He spoke about a card he had received from William T. Fraser 8VX of Buffalo, New York.

​This is the first known mention of a 'QSL card'.

​Mr. Andrews made the following comments.....

“I wish to commend the spirit of unselfishness that is quite evident in Mr. Fraser and others who send cards which tell of receiving the signals of a fellow amateur.”
“I would urge upon the members of the A.R.R.L. and the readers of QST to notify by postal and by the very next mail the owner of the station whose signals they hear and to give such other information as they may think of aid or inspiration to the recipient”.
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The Editor of QST magazine responded with the following comments.....
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In August 1919, another letter appeared in QST magazine.  This time it was from Carl D. (Don) Hoffman 8UX.  Hoffman was the cartoonist with QST magazine.

Hoffman wrote the following.....

“Here’s a little idea-run a suggestion that the fellows with long distance ham receiving sets make themselves up a form for post cards something like this and send each time a new long distance station is heard.”
Hoffman was accredited the inventor of the 'amateur DX report card' by QST magazine.
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The first ever QSL card in Europe was produced by William Edward 'Bill' 'Uncle Vic' Corsham 2UV.
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In the September 1924 edition of QST magazine, an article appeared from Howard S. Pyle 8ST, entitiled 'The Amateur DX Report Card.  A study of the International Fad That 8UX Started'.

Pyle was critical of various aspects of QSL cards and made a number of comments including the following.....
  • "the majority of amateur DX report cards have many faults.”’
  • “why plaster the station walls with report cards?  It does not appear to be a really good stunt.”
  • “avoid cheapening your card by a display of ‘vaudeville humor.’”
  • “take a little time and see if you can’t evolve a DX card that will be a credit to your station”
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In 1927 at the International Radiotelegraph Convention in Washington, the Radiotelegraph Regulations 1927 were passed.  This included the assigning of callsigns to each country, e.g.

VHA-VMZ     Australia
K, N, W         USA
​G                   Great Britain

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WHY QSL?

  • thrill of receiving a QSL in the mail
  • awards
  • tradition
  • hobby within a hobby
  • create memories.
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DO I HAVE TO SEND A QSL CARD?

It is not compulsory to send a QSL card to confirm a contact.

​It is considered environmentally wasteful to send a QSL card for each contact made with the same station.


TYPES OF QSL CARDS.

  • hard copies
    • Direct or via the Bureau
  • eQSL
  • Logbook Of The World (LOTW)
  • Electronic 
    • email

CHOOSING A QSL CARD.

  • design your own and have a local printer produce them
  • QSL creators - web
  • order from one of the many large QSL card printing companies
  • Give consideration to the layout of the card
    • ​photos, logos
  • Consider the quantity you will need​
    • Larger quantities are generally less expensive 

STANDARD SIZE OF A QSL CARD.

IARU & member societies recommend a maximum size of 3½ by 5½ inches (140 mm by 90 mm).

Cards of unusual dimensions slow the work of Bureaus.

Some cards (especially from DXpeditions) can be a gate-fold design with multiple pages.

WHAT DOES A QSL CARD CONTAIN?

  • amateur radio station callsign
  • location
  • licensee’s name
  • postal address
  • details on radio equipment
  • date/time of contact
  • frequency/mode
  • signal report
  • Comments
  • IOTA reference & Island name
  • CQ zone/ITU zone

WHAT SHOULD THE CARD NOT CONTAIN?

  • religious statements
  • political statements
  • what seems humorous to you, may not be to somebody in a foreign country
  • what may not be offensive to you, may be to someone in a foreign country

SOME BASICS WHEN FILLING OUT A CARD.

  • ALWAYS use UTC time – NEVER local time
    • ensure your shack clock is accurate use legible writing
  • use printed labels if your handwriting is poor
  • ensure the details on the card are accurate
  • do not cross out mistakes – start again
  • signal reports using the RST system
  • multiple QSOs – list in chronological order

OTHER TIPS.

  • be patient
    • Q​SL Bureau takes considerable time
    • Direct QSLs don’t come back overnight
  • listen to any QSL instructions given by the station on air
  • ensure the DX station has your callsign correct
  • ensure you have the DX stations callsign correct
  • copying errors from the DX Cluster and not listening

PHYSICALLY SENDING OUT QSL CARDS.

  • Bureau
  • Direct
  • QSL Manager

QSL BUREAUS.

Many of the National bodies representing amateur radio operators, e.g. WIA, ARRL, RSGB, offer a QSL Bureau system for their members.  They are a specialised 'post office' for QSL cards.

The QSL Bureau is the least expensive way of sending QSL cards.

QSL Bureaus developed due to the following reasons......
  • addresses of individual stations not being widely available
  • international postage was expensive
  • following WWII – difficult to obtain addresses for amateurs in Soviet Union and most other Warsaw Pact countries
  • callbooks were incomplete for many countries
In Australia, incoming QSL cards for VK amateurs are received at the National Incoming QSL Bureau.  They are then distributed to the relevant Australian State and Territory Bureau, where they are then sorted and distributed to the recipient of the QSL card.

Incoming QSL cards are distributed to the State and Territory Bureaus at least every 3 months.


PREFERRED PREFIX.

When sending QSL cards to the QSL Bureau, cards must be sorted and grouped together. 

QSL cards need to be addressed correctly by designating the preferred prefix of the destination Bureau.  Only the preferred prefix of the destination Bureau must be printed in the top right hand corner on the front or back of the card.

Below you can view a copy of the Preferred Prefix listing.....
wia_qsl_card_buro_preferred_prefix.pdf
File Size: 12 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


SENDING A CARD DIRECT.

This is the most expensive way of sending a card.  You will be paying postage both ways.  The advantage is that the return of your card will normally be quick.

Direct QSLs are sent to the station worked or via their QSL Manager.

TIPS WHEN SENDING DIRECT.

  • ​follow the instructions on QRZ.com
  • Send to the correct address
    • if they have a QSL Manager, then the card goes there
  • include a self address envelope
  • Use heay duty envelopes – not flimsy
  • include return postage – USD or IRC
  • Don’t let the $$ or IRC be visible
  • Postal theft
  • Don’t write callsigns on envelope
  • Seal the envelope with sticky tape to prevent tampering
  • Don’t use commemorative stamps
  • Make the letter look like a professional letter, not a personal letter
  • cut a small corner so the contents of the envelope can be inspected

WHAT DOES PSE & TNX MEAN?

Pse - Please QSL

Tnx - Thanks

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READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Take the time to read carefully any QSL instructions on either the station's QRZ.com page or website.

IF YOU SAY THAT YOU QSL, THEN PLEASE QSL!

I have sent NUMEROUS QSL card requests to VK  amateurs over the years, who say they QSL Direct on their QRZ.com page, and I have never received a reply.

Please, if you say that you QSL, then please do the courtesy of returning a QSL card.

​If you don't QSL, then please modify your QRZ.com page to indicate that you do not QSL.
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QSL MANAGERS.

QSL Managers manage QSL operations on behalf of other amateurs, particularly DXpeditions.

Reasons......
  • no bureau exists for that country
  • operation is only short lived e.g. DXpedition
  • postal services may be poor​
  • maximise operating time

OQRS - ONLINE QSL REQUESTS.

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The OQRS system enables amateurs to request a QSL card through the log search page in Club Log.

There is an option to have card sent direct (payment) or via the bureau.

This is available to all Club Log users.  Clublog is a free web-based tool for producing DXCC league tables, expedition tools, log search services & most wanted lists.

The OQRS system is a quicker option, and there is no need to send your QSL card

eQSL.

  • designed to be the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to exchange QSO confirmations
  • Fast upload
  • apply for awards online
  • can print out the card

LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD (LOTW)

  • Fast upload
  • No physical cards or electronic card
  • Receive a credit – towards DXCC & other awards
  • Fees charged

ELECTRONIC QSL - EMAIL.

Due to costs, there has been an increase in electronic QSLing - via email.
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WHAT TO DO WITH ALL OF YOUR QSL CARDS.

  • photo albums
  • display boards
  • frames
  • website
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UPON YOUR PASSING.

Consider passing on your collection to one of the historical QSL card collections.

The WIA has a Historical QSL card collection.

​www.wia.org.au/members/qsl/qsl_collection/
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Above:- Part of the QSL collection at the WIA, Melbourne.  Image c/o VK5PAS.

ARTICLES AND PRESENTATIONS.

'How to succed at QSLing without really trying' by Ron WN3VAW.

howtosucceedatqsling.pdf
File Size: 114 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Logbook of the World (LOTW).

lotw_presentation.ppt
File Size: 54001 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File


GROUPS.IO SITES.

QSL card collectors Groups.io site.

​groups.io/g/qslcardcollectors​

YOU TUBE VIDEOS.






​References.
  1. Amateur Radio Victoria, 2020, <https://www.amateurradio.com.au/qslcards>, viewed 11th March 2020.
  2. ARRL
  3. Clublog, 2023, <clublog.org/>, viewed 18th July 2023
  4. How to Succees at QSLing by WN3VAW
  5. M0OXO
  6. M0URX
  7. W5UE, 2023, <w5ue.net>
  8. Wikipedia, 2020, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QSL_card>, viewed 11th March 2020.
  9. Wireless Institute of Australia, 2023, <>www.wia.org.au/members/qsl/about/, viewed 20th May 2023.