It's Time To Go Digital!
from
Keith LaBorde, K4KAL
on
January 28, 2009
View comments about this article!
It's time to go Digital!
With your QSL Cards
By: Keith LaBorde, K4KAL
Digital Photo Frames in the past few years have come on the market at some really reasonable prices. During the Christmas Holidays, I seen 7" Photo Frames for as low as $29 on Amazon.com and many online electronics retailer. What a great gift for the family, and something to talk about. Who are all these people in these old pictures?
So I purchased a few for the relatives, and went back in the corner of my clothes closet and dug out all those family photos and started scanning them. In the process, I had to trip over those boxes of old QSL Cards that I have stored in shoeboxes.
Well, I began to think... What if I purchased a Photo Frame for my ham shack, and scanned some of my QSL Cards as well. I already submitted them for my Awards, and they are sitting here collecting dust just like my old family photo albums.
So that's what I did...
Pandigital 8" Photo Frame next to my ALS-600 Amplifier
Larger Picture showing TF3XEN QSL Card from Iceland
Once I got the chore of getting my family photos done before Christmas, I started with my first box cigar box of QSL Cards. My HP flatbed scanner was put into use every weekend for a few hours a day scanning the Front and Rear of every QSL Card.
I came up with a simple naming standard, which was the callsign_f.jpg for Front, and callsign_r.jpg for rear. I have since scanned over 6000 QSL Cards, and they have not even come close to the capacity of an inexpensive 2GIG SD Memory Card. The setup is easy with the Picture Frame, where you can have your QSL display every 30 seconds, and have different graphics for the fade in and out of each photo.
So guys, its time to go Digital, with your QSL Cards that is!
The band conditions are awful, so you have time; so start scanning...
I hope you enjoyed my article, and you have to thank Wes W3WL for taking the time to convince me to do this, I just figured everyone would have done the same as me by now.
73,
Keith, K4KAL
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W8ZNX on January 28, 2009
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what the blank
this is a repeat
yea sure im going to buy a 29 dollar electronic
picture frame to show a electronic qsl card
seeing as at any given time
may have up 25 to 50 cards on the wall
lets see now
we can low ball it 25 times 29 bucks
what
$625 to show 25 qsl cards on the wall
gee ive owned whole stations
that did not cost that much
real qsl cards come by mail
not a computer
mac
read or die
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by LA3AKA on January 28, 2009
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W8ZNX Wrote:
seeing as at any given time
may have up 25 to 50 cards on the wall
lets see now
we can low ball it 25 times 29 bucks
what
$625 to show 25 qsl cards on the wall
You don't need to b one frame for each QSL card: As you might read from the article You can scan in Several thousand QSL cards and store them on a cheap Memory card. You then set the digital frame to display each card as a slideshow. So I think the total cost would probably only be $29 + the cost of a 2GB memory card, say $5.
I think Keith's idea is good. Specially for those who don't have the wall space for lots of QSL cards.
73 de LA3AKA
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KC8VWM on January 28, 2009
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real qsl cards come by mail
not a computer
-------
Well it seems the cost of mailing a paper card these days requires one to apply for a federal bailout.
It costs me $42 bucks to send just 100 "domestic" QSL cards CONUS. So it seems the costs associated with a typical weekend contest can get expensive real fast.
Of course, I would prefer to send and recieve traditional paper and I would suspect most hams feel the same way too. However, I admit, eQSL'ing does help me to spend money upgrading my station instead.
For example, in a few short weekends of contest activity, a person can easily pay for a nice clean used amplifier with the money they would otherwise spend on QSL postage.
It's too bad things got that way, but that's the unfortunate economic reality of things today.
Nice idea and thanks for passing it along.
My Best de Charles KC8VWM
/k
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KI9A on January 28, 2009
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"Well it seems the cost of mailing a paper card these days requires one to apply for a federal bailout"
Really? Where do you live? I personallt think the idea of sticking a stamp that costs ONLY 42 CENTS, on an envelope, and sticking it in my mailbox, and having a friend in Alaska, Hawaii, or just down the street, get it is a couple days is a hell of a bargin.
$42 for a 100 cards after a contest weekend? You actually get 100 cards without an SASE? I make about 5-6000 contest QSO's a year, maybe more, and maybe get 50 QSL's a year with no return postage. When I get one, I return it with just a postcard stamp on it, and, bingo, you save about 50% right there.
73- Chuck KI9A
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by NI0C on January 28, 2009
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Wow, what a cool, yet so simple idea!
Yes, I have thousands of nice paper QSL's, yet don't often take the time to look at them. The bulk of them are in shoe boxes, and my favorites are in photo albums or tacked to a bulletin board in my shack.
I'm going to pursue this.
Tnx again & 73,
Chuck NI0C
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KI9A on January 28, 2009
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KC8VWM...
Is this the call you contest so much with, and costs you so much money to mail QSL's?
If so, in my log of 118,000 contest QSO's over the past several years, your call never shows up. What gives? Is this story about spending enough money on postage after a typical contest weekend, to buy a clean used amplifier, a BS story, or what?
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by K1CJS on January 28, 2009
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Yes, it is a nice idea, but there are those of us who need that 'wallpaper' to add an extra layer of insulation to the walls of our shack! In these days of high costs, we have to keep all the warm air we can in our shack and our homes. Of course, there are those of us who don't have that problem..... ;-)
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N4CQR on January 28, 2009
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I swear I have read this before. Or there are two articles on here with a thermometer attatched to the lower left side of an ALS-600.
I like the idea of the digital frames but for the more exotic of cards. Or those which have a special
significance.
Best!
C r a i g
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N4CQR on January 28, 2009
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by W8ZNX on January 28, 2009 lets see now we can low ball it 25 times 29 bucks what $625 to show 25 qsl cards on the wall
===
LOL, you don't understand how this works. You don't need a frame for every card. The frames can dislay many cards (pictures) depending on memory.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K9IUQ on January 28, 2009
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Mac says
"real qsl cards come by mail
not a computer"
......................................................
You must be a "real" ham.
Over the years I have heard "real" hams say things like
1. real hams don't use SSB they use AM
2. real hams use and know CW
3. real hams use resonant antennas
4. real hams use AM on 2 mtrs not FM
5. real hams build their equipment
6. real hams don't use electronic logging
7. real hams don't log, they never talk to anyone they don't know anyway
8. real hams don't use eQSL, PAPER QSL ONLY, screw LOTW
8. real hams snub newbies, never answer them on the repeater
9. real hams don't need no stinkin computer in the shack
10. etc etc etc
IMO "Real Hams" adjust with the times.........
Stan K9IUQ
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W0AAA on January 28, 2009
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or...you can try plan "B" (scroll down) http://hamcall.net/hamstations.html
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K0BG on January 28, 2009
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Yup! I can see myself scanning about 20,000 cards give or take, and on a Sunday afternoon yet. And to use the vernacular in the first paragraph...
I seen 'em, I reed 'em, I store 'em in a shoe bocks.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WW5AA on January 28, 2009
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Keith,
Great article, I got one of these as a Christmas gift and stuck it in the closet. I'll get it out this week-end.
1. Real hams are not grumpy old farts living in the past and knocking new technology.
73 de Lindy
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KB2DHG on January 28, 2009
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A stellar idea!I am going out today and getting me one of these picture frames. As far as paper QSLing I don't mind a bit. I still love sending and getting paper QSL's
Thanks for this great idea, and don't let these nay sayers bring you down!
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WB6DGN on January 28, 2009
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It has it's place, I guess, but not for me. Why does everyone try to blame it on the cost of postage? Adjusted for inflation, postage is no more expensive than it was forty years ago. It's still a bargain. If you're too cheap to send me your paper QSL with YOUR stamp, just don't bother! I'll still send you my QSL, with MY stamp. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find that the loudest whiners are the ones with the $10,000 rigs sitting on their table. That seems to be the way it always works.
Tom
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WB6DGN on January 28, 2009
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"Over the years I have heard "real" hams say things like..."
You forgot the most accurate one of all, "A REAL ham is a salty pig's keester". SO TRUE!
Tom
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KM4JA on January 28, 2009
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If you have a computer at your shack, you can do the same thing with a screen saver program, and not have to worry about extra stuff on the shelves.
73,
Harvey, KM4JA
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K5END on January 28, 2009
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To the Author, I think this is a heck of a novel idea, and I appreciate that you took the time to post this.
I think a couple of replies indicate they don't understand how this works, as if they interpret you advocate the sending of electronic QSL cards in lieu of traditional, mailed cards.
Beyond that, one need not scan ALL his QSL cards, but just scan the ones that he wishes to display.
Surely each OM has a few dozen cards of which he is most proud? Well, those are the ones he'd want to scan and display on this photo frame.
My "first" of each category would be my choice, plus some of the more notable QSOs, e.g. first DX, first CW QSO, first contest X, and so on.
During my first contest recently, I happened to work a very well-known station that any experienced OM would recognize; he has written several Amateur Radio books and writes a column in QST. I was certain to send him my QSL with an S.A.S.E. I'm hoping to get his QSL in return. That is one that I'd be sure to scan and display. (Thanks again to you as well, Ward, for the NAQP CW exchange on 80 m.)
Thanks again to the Author for the great idea and nice article.
73
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W3HF on January 28, 2009
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"I swear I have read this before."
Yes, many of us did, but not on eHam.
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?t=189241
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W8KQE on January 28, 2009
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EXCELLENT IDEA!!! One can still keep/exchange paper QSL's, and display them digitally.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WA8MEA on January 28, 2009
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I am glad that Keith, K4KAL....took into account the visually impaired hams when writing this.
;-)
73, Bill - WA8MEA
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by VE3EN on January 28, 2009
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It think this is a neat idea.
When I get those cool looking cards in the mail.. instead of having to choose which one I want to put on the wall, and which one to take down because there is no more room..
this will solve that small problem.
Cheers
VE3EN
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N4CQR on January 28, 2009
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K0BG on January 28, 2009 Yup! I can see myself scanning about 20,000 cards give or take, and on a Sunday afternoon yet. And to use the vernacular in the first paragraph...
This option would be primarly for us lesser experienced hams. Those of us with far, far less operating experience than you happen have.
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K7AGE on January 28, 2009
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Keith,
I have been scanning my cards for years. I run a simple slide show program on my pc when it is not busy doing something useful. You will see this running in the background of several of my youtube videos.
6000 cards. I find the scanning to be very time consuming. Scanning, cropping and so on. What tips do you have to make this task easier?
Randy
K7AGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_9x756dpy0&feature=channel_page
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KF4HR on January 28, 2009
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I prefer shoe boxes for my QSL's, but for those who wish the higher tech QSL display solution, why not just scan the QSL's, same them to a file, then view anytime you wish?
Or better yet, figure out a way to interface that saved QSL picture file with your logging program so if you happen to re-work a station, a picture of the stations QSL card pops up on your PC screen?
As for me, I'll stick with shoe boxes. hi
KF4HR
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WA4KCN on January 28, 2009
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Keith this is a great idea and I am going to do it. Thanks for the idea.
73 Russ
WA4KCN
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W0FM on January 28, 2009
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The neat thing about this concept is that everyone can apply their own criteria as to what cards to display.
No one said you must scan every single card you own.
I also have a digital frame showing family photos and never gave this a thought. I will get another frame to display my favorite cards that are not already on the wall in the shack.
Nice idea.
Terry, WØFM
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KC8VWM on January 28, 2009
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KI9A says
Really? Where do you live? I personallt think the idea of sticking a stamp that costs ONLY 42 CENTS, on an envelope, and sticking it in my mailbox, and having a friend in Alaska, Hawaii, or just down the street, get it is a couple days is a hell of a bargin.
--------
I tend to agree. However, my point was that not every one can afford that cost.
Especially if they are on a fixed income and thier choice is to send QSL cards or buy medicine. - QSL?
Incidently, I am in OK
73 de Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by SO8ZH on January 28, 2009
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I love paper QSLs. Always a pleasure to get them.
My income not great but pays for my credit !
Please QSL via bureay.
73s from Kjell/So8zh
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KC8VWM on January 28, 2009
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Articles Home] [Add Article] Articles by Category Antennas Contesting DXing Editorial Emergency/Public Service General How To Humor News Operating Opinion Products Propagation Radios Regulatory Space
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Time To Go Digital!
from Keith LaBorde, K4KAL on January 28, 2009
View comments about this article!
It's time to go Digital!
With your QSL Cards
By: Keith LaBorde, K4KAL
Digital Photo Frames in the past few years have come on the market at some really reasonable prices. During the Christmas Holidays, I seen 7" Photo Frames for as low as $29 on Amazon.com and many online electronics retailer. What a great gift for the family, and something to talk about. Who are all these people in these old pictures?
So I purchased a few for the relatives, and went back in the corner of my clothes closet and dug out all those family photos and started scanning them. In the process, I had to trip over those boxes of old QSL Cards that I have stored in shoeboxes.
Well, I began to think... What if I purchased a Photo Frame for my ham shack, and scanned some of my QSL Cards as well. I already submitted them for my Awards, and they are sitting here collecting dust just like my old family photo albums.
So that's what I did...
Pandigital 8" Photo Frame next to my ALS-600 Amplifier
Larger Picture showing TF3XEN QSL Card from Iceland
Once I got the chore of getting my family photos done before Christmas, I started with my first box cigar box of QSL Cards. My HP flatbed scanner was put into use every weekend for a few hours a day scanning the Front and Rear of every QSL Card.
I came up with a simple naming standard, which was the callsign_f.jpg for Front, and callsign_r.jpg for rear. I have since scanned over 6000 QSL Cards, and they have not even come close to the capacity of an inexpensive 2GIG SD Memory Card. The setup is easy with the Picture Frame, where you can have your QSL display every 30 seconds, and have different graphics for the fade in and out of each photo.
So guys, its time to go Digital, with your QSL Cards that is!
The band conditions are awful, so you have time; so start scanning...
I hope you enjoyed my article, and you have to thank Wes W3WL for taking the time to convince me to do this, I just figured everyone would have done the same as me by now.
73,
Keith, K4KAL
Member Comments:
Add A Comment
It's Time To Go Digital! Reply
by W8ZNX on January 28, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
what the blank
this is a repeat
yea sure im going to buy a 29 dollar electronic
picture frame to show a electronic qsl card
seeing as at any given time
may have up 25 to 50 cards on the wall
lets see now
we can low ball it 25 times 29 bucks
what
$625 to show 25 qsl cards on the wall
gee ive owned whole stations
that did not cost that much
real qsl cards come by mail
not a computer
mac
read or die
RE: It's Time To Go Digital! Reply
by LA3AKA on January 28, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
W8ZNX Wrote:
seeing as at any given time
may have up 25 to 50 cards on the wall
lets see now
we can low ball it 25 times 29 bucks
what
$625 to show 25 qsl cards on the wall
You don't need to b one frame for each QSL card: As you might read from the article You can scan in Several thousand QSL cards and store them on a cheap Memory card. You then set the digital frame to display each card as a slideshow. So I think the total cost would probably only be $29 + the cost of a 2GB memory card, say $5.
I think Keith's idea is good. Specially for those who don't have the wall space for lots of QSL cards.
73 de LA3AKA
RE: It's Time To Go Digital! Reply
by KC8VWM on January 28, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
real qsl cards come by mail
not a computer
-------
Well it seems the cost of mailing a paper card these days requires one to apply for a federal bailout.
It costs me $42 bucks to send just 100 "domestic" QSL cards CONUS. So it seems the costs associated with a typical weekend contest can get expensive real fast.
Of course, I would prefer to send and recieve traditional paper and I would suspect most hams feel the same way too. However, I admit, eQSL'ing does help me to spend money upgrading my station instead.
For example, in a few short weekends of contest activity, a person can easily pay for a nice clean used amplifier with the money they would otherwise spend on QSL postage.
It's too bad things got that way, but that's the unfortunate economic reality of things today.
Nice idea and thanks for passing it along.
My Best de Charles KC8VWM
/k
RE: It's Time To Go Digital! Reply
by KI9A on January 28, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
"Well it seems the cost of mailing a paper card these days requires one to apply for a federal bailout"
Really? Where do you live? I personallt think the idea of sticking a stamp that costs ONLY 42 CENTS, on an envelope, and sticking it in my mailbox, and having a friend in Alaska, Hawaii, or just down the street, get it is a couple days is a hell of a bargin.
$42 for a 100 cards after a contest weekend? You actually get 100 cards without an SASE? I make about 5-6000 contest QSO's a year, maybe more, and maybe get 50 QSL's a year with no return postage. When I get one, I return it with just a postcard stamp on it, and, bingo, you save about 50% right there.
73- Chuck KI9A
RE: It's Time To Go Digital! Reply
by NI0C on January 28, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
Wow, what a cool, yet so simple idea!
Yes, I have thousands of nice paper QSL's, yet don't often take the time to look at them. The bulk of them are in shoe boxes, and my favorites are in photo albums or tacked to a bulletin board in my shack.
I'm going to pursue this.
Tnx again & 73,
Chuck NI0C
RE: It's Time To Go Digital! Reply
by KI9A on January 28, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
KC8VWM...
Is this the call you contest so much with, and costs you so much money to mail QSL's?
If so, in my log of 118,000 contest QSO's over the past several years, your call never shows up. What gives?
--------
Who said I am a contester? You?
My comments were intended as an observation. It doesn't mean I don't QSL nor can I afford to send QSL's personally. I was suggesting it *can be* an expensive thing to do for some people and I am "suspecting" not everyone can afford to QSL in this day and age of massive unemployment, fixed incomes and "federal bailouts"
You assume a lot there OM...
73 KC8VWM
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K4FX on January 28, 2009
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Nice idea Keith, I purchased one of these frames for my XYL's birthday, she was always on me to print her digital pics and use up my printer ink, and now she has tons of pics to look at. Never thought about the QSL's but that is a better way them. Certainly more modern.
K4FX
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K9IUQ on January 28, 2009
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>Or better yet, figure out a way to interface that saved QSL picture file with your logging program so if you happen to re-work a station, a picture of the stations QSL card pops up on your PC screen?
................................
My Logging program does this, also does it with E-qsls.
Click on a call in the log and if a picture or QSL is associated with the call it can be shown.
The logger also downloads E-qsl's (and LOTW) automatically, making it painless to use.
My Logger is Logic 8...
Stan K9IUQ
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W4KOV on January 28, 2009
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Super idea Keith! I've got QSL's dating back to 1962 that I'd love to display for the enjoyment of my visitors as well as to delight myself.
I'll set my frame right next to my FlexRadio SDR rig.
Thanks for the tip.
Jack
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WD9IDV on January 28, 2009
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Hello Keith,
I think this is a great refreshing idea. It brings some usefulness to those digital picture frames. I plan on scanning some of my QSL cards too.
It is a shame that hams like w8znx post comments like that. This is a great hobby, but there are still quite a few old geezers that ruin things. Luckily, they are on there way out.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KG6WOU on January 28, 2009
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I've been using a digital picture frame since I got one a year ago Christmas. Never occurred to me to scan QSL cards but that's a good idea.
I love mine, I finally have someplace to see all those pics that lurk inside the PC.
The digital frames are quite nice.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KI9A on January 28, 2009
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This is a great idea! Just got back home with a 8" unit, and a 2gb card..I have scanned a few in to give it a try, and, wow, it's neat!
Nice idea!
73- Chuck KI9A
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K9WJL on January 28, 2009
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Keith,
Thanks for the great idea, I was just womdering what to do with this collection thats building up here.
73,
Bill K9WJL
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K4ELO on January 28, 2009
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That's a great idea Keith! Wonderful way to enjoy those qsl cards we all stick away somewhere.
73,
Wayne
K4ELO
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by AF3Y on January 28, 2009
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Good Idea, but I like to keep mine in albums. I purchased acid-free mylar pages which will hold 4 cards per page and fit in a 3 ring binder. (Postcard collectors use these things.) You can buy the larger (holds more pages) el cheapo binders from one of the big box office supply places on sale for a couple bucks each, if you keep an eye on their ads. Or, if you want to have the fancy albums, you can certainly spend more. Makes it easy to store/preserve/show your cards, and I dont like the idea of thumbtacks or glue or tape on my cards. (No grubby fingers on your cards this way either!) I have had countless compliments on my always growing collection. Even non-hams seem to get a kick out of looking at all the countries, etc. I have worked. Kids especially like to look over my card albums, and who knows, I might just help create the ham "bug" in one or two folks. I hear "Any new cards lately, Mr. Gene?" quite often from the local kids. (These same kids get my stamps from countries all over the world too!) 73, Gene AF3Y
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by NV2A on January 28, 2009
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I like your idea. My station is in the corner of the living room so I can be near the wife and not in the basement or a separate room. Your idea allows me to display the important cards in a space wise economical way.
There seems to be a lot of "noise" on this article but don't let it get you down. Most of the noise is from those who only read the first few lines of your story. No were did I see you saying to only use it to display your e-qsl's. I thought you were saying to empty shoe boxes of paper qsls onto the scanner and import them into your electronic picture frame. A lot of these guys have gone off half cocked :D
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by 5R8GQ on January 28, 2009
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I think it's an excellent idea for those special, colorful, exotic, or much sought after DX cards. (Like the one you waited 8 years to get via the buro).
One Guy:
"Really? Where do you live? I personallt think the idea of sticking a stamp that costs ONLY 42 CENTS, on an envelope, and sticking it in my mailbox, and having a friend in Alaska, Hawaii, or just down the street, get it is a couple days is a hell of a bargin." (sic)
This is certainly true for the exchange of US domestic to US domestic QSL cards.
But what about going after DX QSL's direct, so you don't wait years for the Buro? In many, many countries
the cost of an International letter is quite high. The rule of thumb for collecting DX QSLs direct
these days is to include TWO green stamps with your return envelope. Ask any major QSL manager and he will confirm this. (Of course not the QSL manager of a
DX station living in the US. But you should send him one green stamp anyway. He has to package up and get his DX guy his QSLs. It's a lot of work and expensive)
So to get that really cool DX card direct you have: the price of your card, the price of the sending and return envelope, and $2 or an IRC. (IRC's currently cost USD $2.10 in the USA and CAD $3.50 in Canada.)
Another good thing about displaying your prized cards in this fashion is for visitors to your shack. No matter how fancy your latest Yaecomwood transceiver is, I have found that non hams are far more interested in your colorful and exotic QSL cards.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N7YA on January 28, 2009
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Before this gets ugly without a good reason, before it turns into a political debate or one of who a real ham is or not, i will just say these things...
I think its a great idea.
It looks like a lot of fun to go back through the cards as i scan them.
These digital frames are usually backlit, so it would be a cool effect in the shack.
You can mix in old pics of shacks past and old ham friends who are now SK as a running tribute.]
You can upload a picture of your ticket.
To eliminate confusion, these are REAL cards being scanned into the computer and onto a memory card, then put into the device.
I believe most of these only run on a large watch battery so you will get a lot of use out of it.
Its not a big deal if you dont think its a good idea, your cards arent that important to you or if you saw this before..simply dont do it and pass this article by and move on to the next one.
Real easy fix.
73...Adam, N7YA
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K7LRB on January 28, 2009
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I have no dog in this "fight", HOWEVER, I think you all are missing the point W8ZNX is making. I think what he is saying is that he currently has, right NOW, 25 to 30 QSL cards on his wall, ALL displayed at the SAME TIME. To duplicate this would indeed require 25 to 30 of the picture frames. Therefore, his cost estimate is accurate.
Technology can be a wonderful thing. Use it as YOU see fit and quit whining about what someone else does with it.
Man, some of you guys really need to lighten up!
Have fun and oh, yeah, the radio. See you on the radio.
:)
73,
de Larry
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by QRZDXR2 on January 29, 2009
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Gee and I thought he was going to talk about going digital on the ham band
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W8ZNX on January 29, 2009
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K9IUQ
you are the one that brought up the
"real hams bs "
not me
my statement about e qsl vs paper qsl
was about things not people
i simply stated
that e qsl cards are not real
which is true they are not real
and yes ive got up to 50 cards on my wall
and a few cards on display at the book store
oh yes
im one of those
i sell books
real books
you know the ones made out of paper with letters
printed on the paper using ink
90 years from now
will anybody be able to see or read
the information on a E QSL card
or digital log book
every computer in use today will have gone to the trash
along with every electronic picture frame
how many computers will even
so much as look like computers of today
or run the same os
or be able to read one e qsl or digital log
wonder how many photos
from the Civil War or letters home from troops
to their familys
would be around today for us to view and read
if they had been all e photos and e mail
saved in computers and electronic picture frames
will your great grand children stumble across a box
of e qsl cards in the attic
be able to sit down and read them
no because they will not exist
because they are not real
mac
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K1CJS on January 29, 2009
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Its amazing how many people here bust their guts when confronted by a simple idea that uses today's technology. So, instead of seeing ALL the cards on a wall, you see them one at a time. Good idea since you can only look at one (as in examine) at a time anyway.
How about those special cards that some have and like to show off? Instead of having those cards handled, to see both sides, you scan both sides once and that's it! You get to show it off and keep it safe at the same time. For those without the wall space to put them but still want them in plain sight instead of in a book, this idea is great!
Ya know, if you don't like an idea, just say so and stop instead of carrying on like a spoiled brat. In other words, shut the h*ll up!
The author came up with an original idea. Good for him. What's the matter--mad that you didn't come up with it???
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WB3FTQ on January 29, 2009
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i still like to get paper QSL cards. i usually send one even it it's not requested and most definitely do when it is. i save postage by sending the card as a post card which cost just $0.27; i get a little upset with people who send me a card with an SASE enclosed only because i wish i had known they were going to do that so i could have told them that while i appreciate the postage they could have saved themselves $0.42. i don't use eQSL or any of the other digital stuff out there very much but i do reply if i get one that way. i will continue to send QSL's via Snail-Mail as long as i can afford it. 73
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K3DC on January 29, 2009
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I'm a computer geek but prefer the mail method. I guess that comes from not growing up in a world where everyone had a computer.
I don't have many QSL cards. I'm a new ham but I'm trying my best for some DX. I've got a small 4x6 picture book I bought at Wal-Mart. I call that my "Brag Book". i put all my cards in there. Take them with me when I want to show non-hams what is cool about talking to someone 6000 miles away on a piece of wire hanging in a tree.
It is a bit expensive to send QSLs for DX but it part of the hobby. I sent off 10 this week all with SASE and $2 each for return postage. What is strange is that at one post office I paid an average of $2/ea to mail them. At another post office the lady told me that all i needed were $0.94 stamps. I'm not sure which postal worker was wrong. I bought some $0.94 stamps so I would not have to go back to the post office.
To me the card is the proof. I just converted from paper logs to Xlog and I'll upload my files to LOTW. I'll still send QSL cards. The cards make the contact more "real"
73,
ki4ymd
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N4CQR on January 29, 2009
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K1CJS on January 29, 2009: Its amazing how many people here bust their guts when confronted by a simple idea that uses today's technology.
==
I have to completely agree.
C r a i g
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K9IUQ on January 29, 2009
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> simply stated
that e qsl cards are not real
which is true they are not real>>
E-Qsl are just as "Real" as paper cards.
MY definition of a QSL is CONFIRMATION of a contact.
It can be a paper QSL, E-QSL or LOTW among other ways.
I have printed my nicer E-QSLs on card stock and put them on my wall, along with QSLs gotten thru the mail. You can not tell I didnt get them thru the Buro.
Many QSLs I get thru the buro these days are PRINTED on a computer. Are these not Real cards??
Of course they are, there are just as real as any other QSls I have. QSls in a digital frame as just as real as any other QSO confirmation.
Stan K9IUQ
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K1CJS on January 29, 2009
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KI4YMD said:
"What is strange is that at one post office I paid an average of $2/ea to mail them. At another post office the lady told me that all i needed were $0.94 stamps. I'm not sure which postal worker was wrong. I bought some $0.94 stamps so I would not have to go back to the post office."
It depends on the post office and the worker that takes your order. Once the mail is stamped by the post office worker (with their little local rubber stamp, that is) the mail is in the system and won't be rejected. The funny part is what you discovered. Different post office workers will have different interpretations, and will do things differently. It isn't supposed to happen, but it does.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W7ETA on January 29, 2009
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Looks like a great idea.
thanks for the article.
Best from cold Tucson
Bob
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K2FOX on January 29, 2009
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I like it. I have way too many cards to display by hanging. I had the traditional card holders on every wall but it made the room look a bit trashy after a while. Now they are all in a box. Think I'll go the same route.
73's
Jay
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K2FOX on January 29, 2009
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W8ZNX:
I don't see anywhere in this article that says the qsl card was received by computer. And I question your math. One $29 frame cane hold a hundred or more qsl cards.
$625???
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by RFDANNY on January 29, 2009
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What a novel idea! I really think this is cool, and I'm going to do it when I have time.
Dan
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by RFDANNY on January 29, 2009
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W8ZNX.... What planet are you living on? Your first post proved that you didn't even understand the basic premise of the article, and now you're talking about eQSL cards, which have nothing at all to do with the discussion.
Please, go read one of your books.
Dan
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by VA3DXV on January 29, 2009
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I can't stand
reading
your posts
I would think someone
who knows books
as well as yourself would
know how to form
a proper sentence
and use punctuation
instead of just
putting everything
on a seperate line
when was
the last time you
saw a book
written like this
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
To the author of the article, Good idea! I don't want to cover my wall with cards, and this is a good way to show off the prized cards and keep the originals safely tucked away.
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WB8YYY on January 29, 2009
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Definitely a cool idea - kinda akin to those electronic bill-boards that change their ad's.
I guess while fretting the challenge of the pile-ups one can see some previous trophies ...
(Tongue in cheek) -- I am glad you think the bands are dead, as it's one less big station I have to overcome in trying to work DX on top band or 80m !
Definitely a nice use of technology in the shack for a small price. But I can't afford the time to scan too many QSL cards.
I am glad we do have a second way (LOTW) to confirm our QSO's, and that we can still spend the postage if we must.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WMCO on January 29, 2009
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QSL cards? I don't collect them, I don't offer them but I do have a few for the Hams that insist on sending one even though I ask not too. Any that are received go into the round file. I don't have time and space to deal with them and i.m.h.o. with all the working equipment and proven concepts of antennas that 99% of hams are using ...QSL cards are out dated. They where a good item to exchange when everyone build the station them self and communications principles where hardly understood. They helped a lot to establish those rules and prove what could be done. Nowadays I feel they are a waste of time and more so natural resources, not only to produce the paper but also to deliver it. The carbon footprint of one card sent from the US to say Africa via Air mail is huge and irresponsible.
J.C.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K3DC on January 29, 2009
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I take pried in the fact that I was able to work TX5C with only a wire in a tree while others used
their amps. The QSL card is nice to have.
Sure this technology may be proven but many of us new
hams never knew this was possible. To us is it
is still magic.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W5HSJ on January 29, 2009
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I think every ham should have his QSL card available as an Adobe pdf file. That way it can be emailed thus avoiding postage.
The recipient can print it, if he likes, or leave it in electronic format for use in digital picture frames or keep them on his computer where it can be viewed as part of a "slide show."
Emailing a pdf avoids postage, prevents torn or bent cards, etc.
A simple way to create a pdf is by using Nuance's Paperport program. Form Filer within that gives the opportunity to enter info in the card. Then it can be emailed directly from within the program as it links to Outlook or Outlook Express. Paperport allows filing by names so it is a database suitable for such an application.
Scan your existing card just once or import it from a graphics program.
Forget postage and snail mail!!
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KE7FD on January 29, 2009
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I can see where the cost of sending cards is prohibitive especially in large quantities. At the same time Keith has come up with a nice way to display the cards someone might already have. I think the frame is a nice compliment to a shack instead of those old plastic holders hung on the wall or index card boxes stacked up taking up space. Using LoTW for any stations currently being worked negates any kind of display medium. Still, there will always be those hard to work DX sites where having a hard copy is worth the effort to get it.
Thanks Keith for the article.
Glen
--
^ ^
0¿0¬
www.ke7fd.com
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N4JTE on January 29, 2009
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Good article, tnx for taking the time and effort to share with us.
Bob
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KL7IPV on January 29, 2009
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Great idea! I also have some QSL cards from AM broadcast stations that we will never see again.
As far as having "real" QSL cards and not electronic ones, PRINT THEM out and the become real enough!
And as for a "carbon footprint", if the QSL card took the trip on a plane ALONE it might be wasteful but I am sure the little weight of that card is not significant compared to the ACTUAL load in that same plane. Come one, get real!
73,
Frank
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by VE7REN on January 29, 2009
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i am astonished by the negative comments on this topic...no wait.....im used to seeing some of these callsigns slamming peoples opinions....anyways, great article,and idea. i just seen a pic frame at wal mart that was 99$ and holds 2000 pictures. not bad,or you can go down in price from there. 49$ for 500 i saw also.good concept.it is the digital era..bitch,bitch,bitch
ve7ren brent
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by AB7E on January 29, 2009
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W8ZNX: "will your great grand children stumble across a box of e qsl cards in the attic
be able to sit down and read them "
You need to get real. For 98% of us, our hard copy QSLs will be in a landfill just a few days or weeks after we are.
Dave AB7E
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KA0PLW on January 29, 2009
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K5END
He does send QSL cards but with the volume he gets it takes a little while. It is worth the wait..
Good article and good idea
Thanks
Larry
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by WB6DGN on January 29, 2009
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"So to get that really cool DX card direct you have: the price of your card, the price of the sending and return envelope, and $2 or an IRC. (IRC's currently cost USD $2.10 in the USA and CAD $3.50 in Canada.)"
There is no QSL on the face of this planet, or anywhere else, for that matter, that's worth that hassle or cost. I'm sure glad that HF has never interested me. Doesn't look like it ever will.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K7LRB on January 29, 2009
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Back up a few posts from here and read what W5HSJ said.
Best post so far!
Have fun and 73,
de Larry
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N9XY on January 30, 2009
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W5HSJ said:
I think every ham should have his QSL card available as an Adobe pdf file. That way it can be emailed thus avoiding postage.
=====================
Even better, have a good JPG file of your card, and send that instead of a PDF.
Then we can all load it into our Digital Picture Frames.....
The Picture Frame idea is great. Now, what is the best scanner for this job. Seems we want it fast, and it doesn't need to scan anything bigger than a post card. An Auto Feeder would be great, so Allan can scan his 20,000 cards in while watching the Super Bowl. Hi hi.
73
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N4CQR on January 31, 2009
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Dave AB7E said: You need to get real. For 98% of us, our hard copy QSLs will be in a landfill just a few days or weeks after we are.
Yep! or on eBay for $2.50 ea + postage. :)
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by AA7LG on January 31, 2009
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Keith, excellent article. I think I'll do it too. I have special cards going back to the early 60's.
However, after reading some of the responses I can't help but wonder if some of the respondents even have a clue about what you said or meant. Shame isn't it?
73, Bob AA7LG
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by AB2NM on January 31, 2009
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Nice article. How about one frame for QSL cards, and another frame for radio related photos of friends, family, field days, hamfests, antenna parties, the old novice station, friends' shack photos, earlier incarnations of my shack, etc.
The cards and equipment are cool, but for me, its all about the people.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by N5AX on January 31, 2009
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Nice idea, but I like to view the photos and QSL cards on HamCall.
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K8MHZ on February 1, 2009
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Keith,
Super idea! I just noticed that these have went on sale, some half of what they cost before Christmas.
There is no rule that says you can't throw in a few regular pics as well, or have more than one running in the room at the same time. The one I got my better half for Christmas also plays videos.
I don't know how long you can display each picture on slide show mode but I thought it would be cool to keep each picture on for 1 to 3 minutes so people could get a closer look at them.
This is also a way to show off your cards without risk of damaging them or losing them. I think I will get one to bring to the class I teach on occasion. That would sure beat printing copies of them like I have been doing!
73
Mark K8MHZ
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by G8UBJ on February 1, 2009
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A good idea, I will leave the paper cards on the wall, its the one's on eQSl I never look at. I will download some of my favorites for the frame.
73 - G8UBJ
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by K6MM on February 2, 2009
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A digital frame showing QSLs is a nice conversation piece as well. My approach is a little different. I've scanned my cards and put them in a QSL Gallery on my website for viewing:
http://www.k6mm.com/pages/gallery.html
Primary advantages:
1. My family, friends, and I can see them anytime, anywhere via the internet and a browser.
2. The scanned jpeg files are "stored" safely and securely digitally.
Fun stuff!
73, John K6MM
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by VE3OIJ on February 2, 2009
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KI9A wrote:
>>$42 for a 100 cards after a contest weekend?
>>You actually get 100 cards without an SASE?
Where do you think QSL cards come from? The ether? *SOMEONE* has to send out cards - with or without a SASE - if any cards are to be exchanged. In other words, somewhere in the USA that $42 is being spent for 100 cards after a contest weekend. In fact, if there's a SASE involved, it's really $84 per 100 cards.
If everyone just sat around and waited for cards to come in, none would come in, would they?
Fortunately, some people send cards out to initiate the process.
W8ZNX wrote:
>>that e qsl cards are not real
>>
>>which is true they are not real
I'm sorry, but you are simply wrong.
They're as real as this conversation. They're as real as anything you watch on television, or hear on the radio. They're as real as nearly every photograph you see these days. They're as real as the voice in the telephone. They're as real as the money in your bank account, the balance on your credit card, and the overwhelming majority of the money that makes the entire global economy work.
Yes, all those things are digital. They exist as electronic representations stored in logic circuits and buzzing around the ether... but they're very real, and so are electronic QSLs.
Just because you can't touch it, doesn't make it any less real. But if you think otherwise, then you have something very interesting to ponder the next time you go to church.
WB3FTQ wrote:
>>i still like to get paper QSL cards. i usually
>>send one even it it's not requested and most
>>definitely do when it is.
I log electronically and that means automatic upload to eQSL. Like you, I also like to get paper cards... I used to collect post cards so getting QSL cards is an extension of that. I send out cards for every contact unless asked not to directly or as noted on QRZ.com... which relates to the earlier comment about who pays the $42 / 100 cards :) Only for me, it's more like $96 / 100 cards because postage to the USA is 96 cents from here.
In any case, if I didn't collect the QSL cards, I'd collect post cards, so it's a push resource and environment wise.
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by SQ3RPM on February 5, 2009
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That may work for you. However, I prefer paper-the size of a baseball card.
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by W4HLN on February 8, 2009
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Don't buy the Digital Frame if you have a Computer in the shack. If you run XP or better you already have a "PICTURE FRAME" You can use an old boatanchor computer or an old notebook. (I'm not sure about WIN 98-2000 or earlier?)
If you right click on desktop then click "PROPERTIES"....go to the screensaver tab on the popup and choose "MY PICTURE SLIDESHOW" and then click "SETTINGS" next to that.You will need to set up a folder with your qsl pics in it but thats easy enough. Select your QSL folder and hit apply...thats it!
Instant full screen QSL card Screensaver...you can choose the speed or whatever....it will even make small pics full screen....Cool if you have a 22 inch monitor.
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It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KM6CQ on February 9, 2009
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Hey Keith,
what a great idea. That is just like a song I love that I wish I would have wrote. Instead of living in the past you have embraced technology and are on the leading edge. You have shown the type of practical application it will take to get the younger generation involved. You have just inspired us all to be creative.
Best Regards, Dan KM6CQ
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by NI0C on February 11, 2009
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Mail this to a friend!
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To Keith, K4KAL:
Before your article drops off the end of the front page, I'd like to thank you for a great idea-- one that I've implemented in my ham shack already. I purchased an "8 inch" digital frame that can accept a USB flash drive, and started the process of loading images of QSL's, plus ham radio related photos-- antennas, Field Day, etc. I even incorporated your suggested method for naming QSL files (front and back images).
I like the idea of a stand alone picture frame for this purpose, even though I have two computers in my shack. One computer is used for logging and rig control, and the other is used for e-mail and internet,
73,
Chuck NI0C
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RE: It's Time To Go Digital!
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by KE7SEI on February 12, 2009
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Mail this to a friend!
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Thanks. This is a great article ... a simple, clever solutin. I am a new ham, but will consider this The Way to Go when I start getting a collection together.
The notion that e-cards are not "real" is a hoot. I cannot touch the sounds coming out of my transceiver's front panel speaker ... are they not "real"? ;-)
I went through a similar process of managing "paper records" with my family pictures ... box upon box and album upon album of photos, from my folks, my wife's folks, our out-in-the-world kids, our still-at-home kid, etc. I put these all in a set of aptly named files folders, uploaded them to my Media Center (fancy name for a PC with a TV Tuner and lots of disk), and set the screen saver on the Media Center to show the pictures whenever the Media Center is idle (yeah, some times we read books or do things other than watch TV and movies). The initial reaction from the family was mixed ... but some tears popped out as faces from long ago appeared in the living room. Now it's a standard part of our family room "ambiance" ... the occasional pictures of Great Uncle Bob and the wife's dad fishing back in the 30's or one of the grandsons frolicing about on their birthdays is great.
I suggest the equivalent side benefit in this Ham Application is a given ... you will get to see cards that you had plum forgotten about and it will back some fond memories.
For those who are budget-restricted (who isn't?) or perhaps simply unwilling to shell out $$'s to buy one of the admittedly overprices digital frames, but who might otherwise still be interested in this idea, I offer four suggestions:
0 - Ultra-cheap solution - Buy one of those Keychain Frames - they have these at the local drugstore for ten bucks. They are tiny, and resolution is marginal, but they could be mounted anywhere on your shack shelves, and would serve as a cool, low profile reminder of all your former contacts.
1 - "Bargain" Solution - Buy a used digital frame, off of ebay, from your local Craigslist or equiv, or at a garage sale or local Goodwill or other thrift store. Hard times mean a lot of these expensive toys are available on the cheap.
2 - "Use What You Got" solution - Skip the Digital Frame and simply put the captured images in a directory in your shack's computer, with the same Screen Saver ritual I mentioned above. It's not magic. Don't have a 'puter in your shack? Well, don't try suggestion 3 then, either.
3 - "Roll Your Own" solution - Buy, scrounge, salvage an old but working laptop. This could even be an old Pentium 1 machine (10-13 years old). If the laptop is bootable from USB (even USB1), you don't even need a working hard drive, as you can buy a $10 USB thumb drive for it. The laptops can be had for free or less than $50 all over the place. Then, grab yourself a copy of "Linux Toys" (Christopher Negus / Chuck Wolber) and jump to Chapter 15: Building a Digital Picture Frame.
This last solution should appeal to the do-it-yourselfers. The resulting solution is actually a working computer that you could also use to download / display weather / sky conditions, etc., i f you want to really get into the nuts 'n bolts of the thing. You could end up with a nice 14-17" frame that far surpassed the $100-150 commercial ones. And since you can use laptops with serious cosmetic or even "localized" functional damage in some cases, it's a way to extend the life of a piece of PC hardware that may not have any other practical use.
Don't have a scanner? I found two working scanners at garage sales this summer for $3 each. (Yeah, I had to add a standard 12V wall wart to one, but they worked)
Again, thanks for a great article.
- Doug/KE7SEI
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