QSL Cards
| Squares/Countries: | The qsl card for each square / country should be packaged in order! An 'extra' out of order is acceptable, but should not be the norm. For claims that consist of both, then the largest component should decide the order of the cards. It is always a good idea to indicate on the check list if the card is used for another purpose. |
| Valid Cards: | Please try to ensure that each card is 'valid'. In the excitement of compliing your claim it can be all too easy to miss that vital entry that makes the card suspect. If it has to be sent back then it adds up to unnecessary delay. |
| Views vary on what constitutes a 'valid' card, but the next page outlines what you should expect to see on a QSL card that is confirming a contact |
| Valid Cards: | The card should have the words 'Confirming this QSO . . . ' (1) or something similar on it.
The following should also be present on a QSL card before it can be deemed valid. |
| Callsign: | This must match your claim with all the correct suffix (eg. /P etc.). It's all too easy to misread a callsign on a card that you think is for you, so please check. |
| Date (2), Time (3): | This, where awards are date dependant, is a must. However one view point is that an undated QSO never took place! |
| Band (4): | If stations write cards out in batches it is quite easy to put the wrong band down, especially when it may be an expedition working on several bands. |
| Mode (5): | This must always be present if you are claiming a 'mode endorsement'. |
| Locator (6): | This is obligatory if the claim is for squares, or Microwave Distance, from which the distance can be verified. Now that awards are available that require a range of positional information ie. squares, counties, district codes, what do you do if the card does not include the correct one? The chances are that there will be some form of positional information eg. the old QRA square instead of the current Maidenhead form. If this is the case, just write on the card the new format. This also applies if lattitude and longitude is given. For counties and districts this is somewhat easier, but if in doubt check with the Award Manager. |
| Signal Report: | Specialist modes aside, there should be ideally a meaningful signal report. |
| Other Items: | Information such as equipment, power levels*, wx may be of interest to the card's recipient, but do not increase its validity. * Indication of a power level in excess of what is permitted may invalidate a card. |
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