When the amateur radio hobby started, it was common courtesy to send a QSL card by mail. Since many QSOs were international, this was a good way to collect postal stamps from around the world. Today, it is possible to confirm these contacts electronically over the internet.

eQSL, or electronic QSL, is an online system where amateurs can leave confirmation of their contacts for other participants without the necessity of mailing a hard copy, thus saving the expense associated with mailing, especially overseas.

Be advised that eQSL can generally not be used for awards, and many hams to not accept or wish to participate in this system. Also be aware that eQSL has been said not to have any verification as LOTW does, but see below. Participation is free, but in order to design an onine QSL card, a donation is required.

The site is here:
»www.eqsl.cc/qslcard/Index.cfm
(Thanks to GeekGirl1 for additions to this FAQ)

One of our readers noted: "eQSL does in fact have a verification process called Authenticated Guaranteed (AG). eQSL.cc has its own eAwards program, whereby your QSOs with AGed members of eQSL.cc earn credit toward those awards. Other than ARRL and perhaps others, there are several other award sponsors that do accept an eQSL as proof of QSOs amongst eQSL.cc member-user community."

• Regarding awards, it should be noted that CQ Magazine is now accepting eQSL for their awards, but they have certain requirements for eQSLed contacts to be considered for award credit. eQSL also has its own award scheme, with eDX100 awards and eWAS. Of course, ARRL DXCC is still not accepting eQSL and will probably not for the foreseeable future.

  2009-09-01 17:50:54 (fifty nine )

• All of the information in your last paragraph is incorrect. 1. There are many ham organizations that accept eQSLs for their awards. These include 10-10, DARC, JARL, and many others. A complete list is at www.eQSL.cc under "Organizations" 2. There are 130,000 hams participating in the system. At this date, that is 10 times more than the number that are participating in LOTW. 3. eQSL.cc developed its identify verification program before LOTW even existed, and LOTW patterned its verification after one of the 3 that eQSL.cc invented, but makes it more labor-intensive and slower to obtain. 4. You can design your online eQSL for free. Only 2 of the 4 possible eQSL styles require a $1 donation. Not enough to bankrupt anyone. Despite this, about 90% of the eQSL.cc members are riding free.

  2008-10-08 20:46:27

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by KeysCapt
last modified: 2007-12-09 10:44:54