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Because photo scanners are an extension of the computer, why
should it not be an extension of one’s QSL collection? If you’re still
debating storage in binders, cabinets or a shoe box, scanning a collection
may be the extra alternative you’ve been looking for.
Chances are, you’re like me. You have cards from stations that
have left the air, which means you have vintage cards that cannot be
replaced. Scanning your collection preserves it for decades, whether
on your hard drive or saved on a floppy or compact disc.
Most DXers, including myself, prefer a flatbed scanner over
a sheetfed scanner, because it works well with any size card or letter.
Like a photo copier, the scanner’s mechanism moves across the
original from under the glass plate. The image is then displayed on
your computer’s monitor. Most flatbed scanners can handle up to an
8-1/2” x 14” page.
Scanners are very affordable and include a software package to
assist you in scanning the best digital image. When scanning, your
first consideration should be the resolution of the item to scan. Today’s
scanners have a preset default resolution setting or can be adjusted to
your preference from 75 to 1,200 dpi (dots per inch). The higher the
resolution, the better the scanned image, but also the larger the file
size. Depending on what I’m scanning, I routinely use 300 dpi.
Most flatbed scanners have a preferred corner of the glass on
QSL Scanning 101
The QSL Report
Gayle Van Horn, W4GVH
gaylevanhorn@monitoringtimes.com
which to place the card or letter. Though not required, I have found that
by using this guide I get a straighter scan, which is important to get the
best image. When the Preview prompt is shown on the screen, you have
the chance to see if the image is straight and if the scan will be adequate.
At this time, you can use a cropping tool to remove excess empty margins,
smears or discolorations. The next step is to hit Scan.
Now you’re on your way. Hit “Save As,” saving your little jewel
with the station name or country as a jpeg file. From here you can move
it to a disc or retain it on your hard drive in a folder you might title “My
QSLs.”
You’ll find flatbed scanning to be versatile and easy to use. Think
beyond the QSL card or letter, and scan business cards, certificates, photos,
cut-outs, stickers, postcards, souvenirs and those colorful stamped
envelopes. Each can be scanned separately, or if you receive several
items from one station, scan them as a one-page collage and save them
as one file. If scanning as one page, you may have some empty spaces
between the items. Lay a sheet of white paper over them to hold small
items in place as well as making a nice white background.
The possibilities of scanning your collection are as endless as your
imagination. For now, however, you’re set. You can upload QSLs to a
personal website, or better yet, send a copy to QSL Report! We love
graphics. So, get scanning!
AMATEUR RADIO
Isle of Wight (IOTA EU-120) 15/20 meters
SSB. Full data card from ARRL bureau. Received
in 46 days. (Larry Van Horn N5FPW,
NC)
ARGENTINA
RAE, 11710 kHz. Full data QSL and full
page letter signed by John Anthony Middleton-Head
of RAE English Team, and Marcela
G.R. Campos, Director-External Service.
Received in 189 days for an English report
and two U.S. dollars. Station address: c/o
English Service, Casilla Correos 555, Buenos
Aires, Argentina. (Joe Squashic W4TT0,
Wake Forest, NC)
Radio Baluarte, 6215 kHz. Full data Certificado
de Sintonia certificate signed by
Hugo Eidinger-Director. Prepared QSL card
signed and returned with tourist brochure.
Received in two months for mint stamp, one
US dollar and a tourist postcard. Station
address: Casilla de Correo 45, 3370 Puerto
Iguazu, Provincia de Misiones, Argentina.
(Frank Hillton, Charleston, SC)
AUSTRALIA
HCJB, 11750 kHz. Full data verification
on station letterhead, unsigned. Received
in 32 days for an English report and one
IRC (required for reply). Station address:
Voice of the Great Southland, GPO Box
691, Melbourne VIC 3001 Australia (or)
english@hcjb.org.au (David Stephenson,
Bangor, ME)
Radio Australia, 9580 kHz. Full data color
Shepparton card signed by Nigel Holmes,
plus postcards and brochures. Received
in 14 days for a taped report and one US
dollar. Station address: GPO Box 428G,
Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia. http://
www.abc.net.au/ra/. (Mark Redfox,
Albuquerque, NM)
CANADA
NHK/Radio Japan relay 6110 kHz. Full
data color neon world card signed by
A. Ishino, plus newsletter, and poster.
Received in 37 days for an English report
and one US dollar. Station address: NHK
World, Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Tokyo 150-
800 Japan.(Redfox, NM)
Radio Korea International relay, 9560 kHz.
Full data color Bullet Train card unsigned.
Received in 45 days for a taped report
and one US dollar. Station address: KBS,
18 Yoido-dong Youngdeungpo-Gu, Seoul,
Republic of Korea. 150-790. http://kki.
kbs.co.kr. (Redfox, NM)
CHILE
Radio Voz Cristiana. Full data logo card
unsigned. Received in 61 days for an English
report. Station address: Casilla 395,
Talagante, Santiago, Chile. Scott Barbour,
Intervale, NH)
DENMARK
World Music Radio,
5815 kHz. No data
email reply. Received
in ten hour
and 25 minutes for
report to; http://
w m r @ w m r . d k
, with mention of
future verification.
(Harold Frodge, Midland, MI)
HONDURAS
HRPC Radio Luz y Vida, 3250 kHz. Full
data logo card unsigned. Received in 602
days for an English report and one US
dollar. Station address: Apartado Postal
303, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Barbour,
NH)
MEDIUM WAVE
KKAD, 1550 kHz AM. Full data card signed
by Dave Bishoff-Chief Engineer. Received
in 62 days for an AM report. Station address:
888 SW 5 th Avenue, Suite # 790,
Portland, OR 97204. Veri signer signed
KPAM 860 kHz AM card in five days for
same address. (Patrick Martin, Seaside,
OR)
KTHH, 990 kHz AM. Friendly letter from
Bill Lundon-Program Director, plus The
Truth slogan stickers. Received in four days
for an AM report. Station address: 2840
Marion Street SE, Albany, OR 97322.
(Martin, OR)
38 MONITORING TIMES January 2005