QSL cards

A QSL card is a written confirmation of either a two-way radio communication between two amateur radio stations or a one-way reception of a signal from an AM radio, FM radio, or television station.  A typical QSL card is the same size and made from the same material as a typical postcard, and many are sent through the mail as a standard postcard.  QSL cards derived their name from the Q code "QSL", which means "I acknowledge receipt." Most are collected by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, TV-FM DXers, and other radio hobbyists.  Cards are used for multiple purposes...just the rewarding experience of receiving a card from a far away land to using the cards to prove contacts for awards.  Sometimes cards are used to promote a cause such as the ones below...Global awareness of cultures, political situations and missionary needs.

This is the QSL card used for the expedition mission trip to Haiti in 2006.  The front depicts photos taken while on the trip by Ned, N4LS who operated with a Haitian license as HH4/N4LS.  The photos shows poverty as well as hope.  The children who live in poverty still have smiles and dress nicely.  The lady walking down the road with the straw on her head is bare footed.  The back of the QSL has a photo of Radio 4VEH and a DC-3.  Our air transportation was on a DC-3 operated by Missionary Flights International.  This card was sent to folks in 65 countries.   Results of trip to Haiti:   *From messages relayed to friends reunited *From help with getting a license to partnerships built for future Christian TV *HF radio repaired and sent back via Missionary Flights *Relationship developed for long term friendship and support *An Italian station who wants to support 4VEH *Two high school students who want to start a Christian radio station in Africa when they complete college

Visit Radio 4VEH today at www.radio4VEH.org    La Voix Évangélique d’Haïti   The Evangelistic Voice of Haiti

QSLs from 4VEH.  Radio 4VEH or "Voz Evangelica de Haiti" was started in the 1950s and broadcast on the shortwave bands to the world.  It was common, as is today, for shortwave listeners to exchange QSL cards much like in ham radio.   The top card is from 1957 and the other is from 1963.  These were sent to me from hams I talked to while on my trip to Haiti.     4VEH no longer broadcasts on the shortwave bands.  The main focus today is Haiti and they are only broadcasting on AM and FM.  The two stations that sent me these cards had no idea 4VEH still existed.  Again, a positive result of our trip to Haiti.