Designing a New QSL Card
I'm fairly behind on the HamChallenge which brings me to a thought that I tend to have when it comes to time-based challenges.1 This list of challenges is really great, especially as someone trying to dive into new areas of the amateur radio hobby, so I plan to continue it as much as I can. I definitely won't be finishing it in a year, but I will hopefully be finishing it in 2026/2027 as I take it at my own pace.
This week, I took down another challenge entirely unprompted by the list!
Week 1: Create a QSL card design! Use any tools you want to create an unique QSL card design! Which information is essential, and which is optional on the QSL card? Which format (size, orientation, colors) did you chose and why? How did you chose the motive for your card? Were you inspired by a card you received and liked? What is your take on paper QSL cards in times of LoTW and ClubLog?
Somehow, I managed to get multiple other challenges done without getting week 1 done! I've never been big into QSL cards since I do most of my HF operation remote - I used to have a QSL manager for the DX stations that wanted my card, but otherwise never cared much about it.
Recently, I did a POTA activation and asked a friend to come try and work me since we've been wanting to get in each others logs for a few years now! He's a big QSL card collector, and when he mentioned wanting my card I realized I should probably get back in to at least having one on hand.
I've seen a lot of QSL designs, and took inspiration from those to draft something up. I also got some feedback from some of the fine folks in YARC leading to the final design. Don't worry, I'm not going to talk about every iteration here, but I will share the final design and answer the questions from the prompt!
For the design process, I used Canva with a postcard template to do all the design work. I chose this over Photoshop or other image editing tools out of a desire for simplicity, and the added bonus that I can pay Canva to print off a batch of these and not do it all from home.
I've seen a ton of really good information on what is required on a QSL card, but at the heart of it, I really just wanted to stick with what is useful for a confirmation online with sites like LoTW. So, I've got frequency, date and time (in UTC of course), mode, and the RST. I've also included the usual checkboxes for if I need the other parties card, or if they already sent it to me.
In terms of optional information, I included a spot to talk about my rig, location (which I plan to mostly use for noting POTA references), some logos for clubs I'm in, and a QR Code linking to my website.
The most interesting part from an information perspective, to me at least, is the address label. I'm a university student, and will be moving once I graduate, so I didn't want to add an address that I knew would be old soon and have to re-print the cards. Charlie, K3NOP, suggested that I use an address label sticker instead - so I added a small space for that based on the size of Avery printable labels, and we'll see how that works!
The card is sized for 5.5x4.25 inches but can be enlarged. I did a test print and found this works well enough for my handwriting. The only colors are the club logos, as I don't have a picture that I like for the back at the moment. This may be an addition in the future but not in this first batch of prints. Lastly, orientation is horizontal mostly since I find that to be the "standard" for cards.
Paper vs. Digital Confirmations
As a software developer by background, I'd be remiss if I didn't say I love the idea of a digital logbook. It makes so much sense as a feature to have in 2025! But, every execution of it is awfully poor...2
I do use Logbook of the World, but the signature verification and location information is a pain to navigate. Pair that up with ARRL's seemingly poor IT management, and the fact that the database system is being upgraded next month for the first time in well over a decade, and it makes me hate my experience using it.
QRZ isn't much better - the interface is nicer but still outdated, and it's still a pain to use. The big issue I have with them is the restriction of exporting logs to paid accounts - I understand the need to make money but it feels so restrictive for no reason!
Those are the only two electronic confirmation platforms I use, but I really think the ham community needs a better alternative. I really like the work being done on Wavelog - an open-source (MIT license) logging software that runs in the browser via Docker container and handles logging, uploads to LoTW and QRZ, awards management, and has a ton of other helpful features. Most notably, in the context of this post, it can let you scan and track your outgoing and incoming paper QSLs as well!
My dream digital log confirmation tool is a federated version of Wavelog, where users just continue to use their normal logs and they are able to communicate and sync with each other without a middle man. Of course, there would likely need to be some centralized "source of truth" to verify callsign holders are who they say they are, but if someone could create a solid system with that being the only centralization - sign me up!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on QSL cards - what's your card look like? Do you collect, and if so what's the coolest card in your collection? What are your thoughts on LoTW/QRZ/other log confirmation tools? Feel free to reach out to me on the Fediverse (@roguefoam@polymaths.social), or email me at "cj (at) my callsign (dot) radio" with your thoughts/comments.
73, WW0CJ
It would probably scare some people the amount of times I've attempted and failed the 100 Days to Offload challenge. The amount of posts on this blog can attest to that...↩
I actually wrote an entire blost about how much I despise a specific digital confirmation service, but scrapped it because it felt a little too hostile and repetitive. Maybe I'll revisit that topic in the future, but I'll say enough of my piece now.↩