QSLkort

QSLkort, often written QSL-kaart in Dutch, is a QSL card used by amateur radio operators to confirm a two-way radio contact. The term refers to both the physical postcard sent by mail and the electronic confirmations exchanged through digital systems. QSLkort serves as a verifiable record of a communication between two operators and is commonly used for logging and for pursuing awards that require confirmation of contacts.

A QSLkort typically includes the call signs of both stations, the date and time of the contact (usually in UTC), the frequency or band, the mode used (such as CW, SSB, or digital), and a signal report. Additional information may feature the operator’s name and location, a reciprocal address, and sometimes a decorative image or a club logo. The card can also carry QSL bureau markings to indicate routing through a central exchange system.

Exchanges can occur by direct mail between operators or via QSL bureaus, which smooth out international mail traffic. In recent years, electronic confirmations have become common through services such as eQSL and Logbook of The World (LoTW), which provide digital validation of contacts without physical cards. Many amateurs maintain physical collections as a hobby, while others rely primarily on electronic confirmations for awards and log entries.

QSLkort plays a dual role as a means of documenting contacts and as a collectible aspect of amateur radio culture. It remains a traditional practice alongside modern digital logging and validation systems.