QSL? (Do You Confirm Receipt of My Transmission?): A Visual Language of Two-way Radio Communication

Amateur radio operators and citizen band stations have been using the electromagnetic spectrum since the early 20th century, forming an early internet. QSL cards are written confirmations of prior communication between two stations, and collecting them was a source of pride for operators. "Do You Confirm Receipt of My Transmission?" is a visual history of these cards, spanning from 1960-1990, and includes over 190 cards with high resolution details. There are now over 3 million licensed radio operators worldwide.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Standards Manual

Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, has been a prominent presence in the world's electromagnetic spectrum since its inception in the early 20th century. With millions of operators worldwide, it has created a vast network of communication that can be likened to an early internet. These operators use various techniques and frequencies to project their voices, ideas, and humanity across the globe, bouncing their waves off the earth's surface, the ionosphere, and even the moon.

Identification is a crucial aspect of any communication network, and amateur radio operators have developed a unique system to confirm communication between stations. A QSL card, which stands for "Do You Confirm Receipt of My Transmission," is a written confirmation of prior communication between two amateur radio or citizens band stations. These cards are postcard-sized and mailed between users, serving as a tangible record of their interactions.

Q codes, derived from the QSL card system, are used to convey messages between operators. A Q code message can be either a statement or a question, depending on whether a question mark is included. For example, "QSL?" means "Do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" while "QSL" means "I confirm receipt of your transmission."

Operators often used their QSL cards to express their style and personality, creating a visual representation of themselves that was unique to each individual. Collecting QSL cards was a popular hobby among operators, and it was a source of pride to have a comprehensive collection.

Do You Confirm Receipt of My Transmission, published by Brooklyn-based design imprint Standards Manual, is a visual history of these cards. Spanning from approximately 1960 to 1990, the collection includes over 190 cards, front and back, with high-resolution details. The cards provide a fascinating glimpse into the early global communication network, a marvel that we now take for granted.

Today, there are over 3 million licensed radio operators worldwide, continuing to embrace the spirit of amateur radio and its rich history of communication and innovation.

Weight: 1476g
Dimension: 239 x 355 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780578390529