Paper Echoes: 1964 QSL Cards

In an age before email, podcasts, or global digital streaming, one of the most thrilling ways to connect across continents was through the crackle and hum of shortwave radio. These small-scale global connections were confirmed and commemorated through colourful, distinctive items known as QSL cards—radio’s version of a handshake.

For the hobbyist—known in radio circles as a "ham" or "SWL" (shortwave listener)—
collecting QSL cards was part of the thrill of chasing distant signals.

A QSL card is a written confirmation of a two-way radio communication — or, in the case of shortwave listeners, a reception report— exchanged between amateur radio operators. The term "QSL" comes from the Q code, a shorthand used in radio communication. In this context, "QSL?" asks “Can you acknowledge receipt?” while "QSL" replies, “I confirm receipt.”

For amateur radio operators, receiving a QSL card from a distant or rare location was both proof of successful contact and a collectible keepsake. These cards typically included the operator's call sign, the date and time of the contact, the frequency used, signal reports, and often photographs or designs reflecting the sender’s country or station.

Shortwave listeners (SWLs), such as G9937, could also participate by sending detailed reports of what they heard and when. If the report was accurate and helpful, they might receive a QSL card in return—making them honorary members of the global radio community.

When certain countries had no resident licensed amateur operators, DX-peditions became an important part of the hobby. These were organised trips where licensed amateurs would travel to remote or politically isolated countries to operate temporary stations.

QSL card from Hammarlund confirming the reception report submitted by G9937. These cards often included details such as date, time, frequency, and signal quality.

Hammarlund, a well-known manufacturer of radio equipment, sponsored many such DX-peditions—both to promote their brand and to support the hobby. For radio amateurs chasing new countries for awards like the DX Century Club (DXCC), which tracks confirmed contacts with 100 or more distinct geographic entities, these expeditions were golden opportunities.

The QSL cards sent from these DX-peditions bore the marks of adventure, international cooperation, and technical skill. They weren’t just postcards—they were badges of honour, and tangible evidence of fleeting but meaningful connections made across vast distances via radio waves.

The cards sent to G9937 in April 1964 mark the tail end of Hammarlund’s golden era. Within a few years, the company would be sold and eventually fade from prominence. But in its heyday, the Hammarlund name stood for quality, exploration, and the pioneering spirit of amateur radio.

The original envelope from Hammarlund Manufacturing Co., postmarked April 1964,
addressed to British shortwave listener G9937.

These images really bring this story to life—especially for readers unfamiliar with QSL cards or the visual charm of mid-20th-century radio ephemera. They’re tangible connections to a world when listening to distant signals from across the globe was both a technical marvel and a personal triumph.

Whether taped to a shack wall, filed in binders, or—like these—kept safely in envelopes for decades, QSL cards are historical documents. They tell stories that embody the spirit of exploration, curiosity, and human connection that continues to define amateur radio today.