Until the advent of on-line databases, amateur radio operators exchanged QSL cards after a radio contact with another amateur radio operator, also known as "hams."
This image has a few of the hundreds of cards I have received since I was a teenager (see top left for #1 QSL card) communicating via morse code. I have cards from two space stations, all of the continents, including over 150 countries and islands. The contacts were made by shortwave radio, via satellites, and direct earth to space for the Russian MIR space station and the International Space Station contacts.
It's been a fun hobby. I've had a good time going down memory lane looking at these cards again.
I was a ham radio operator for 50 years and a shortwave listener all my life!
Had my own QSL cards also and always requested them from fello "hams: and s.w radio stations. Had thousands!
Great, very memorable entry!
Dan
