NEXUS-IBA online e-QSL request form

Please consult our Frequency and Program Schedule for more information on NEXUS-IBA‘s broadcasts

What is a QLS card?

A QSL card is a written confirmation of two-way radio communication, typically exchanged between amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, or broadcast stations. As a “receipt” for a successful contact, QSL cards from broadcasting stations include essential details such as the broadcast date, time, frequency, and optionally, other stations’ details. They are often collected as mementoes of global radio communication, with many hobbyists striving to gather cards from distant or rare locations.

Today, QSL confirmations are mostly exchanged electronically, though traditional paper cards remain popular among enthusiasts for their personal touch and collectable value.

In recent years, the costs associated with processing and mailing traditional printed QSL cards have become increasingly unsustainable for NEXUS-IBA. Beyond printing and international postage fees, the manual labour required to handle each QSL request is significant. As a small non-profit organisation that operates entirely with the support of dedicated volunteers, NEXUS-IBA cannot afford the time and resources needed for traditional mail-based confirmations. To continue validating reception reports efficiently, NEXUS-IBA now exclusively issues e-QSL cards via email, allowing quicker, cost-effective communication while honouring the spirit of radio connections.

How do you get a QSL card for our Shortwave or Medium Wave (AM) broadcasts?

If you have listened to any of NEXUS-IBA’s, IPAR, EGR, or IRRS (the Italian Radio Relay Service) programs on any of our frequencies on Shortwave, AM/Medium Wave, or streaming, you may request our electronic QSL card online by entering data about your reception in the form below. We will email you a copy of our latest e-QSL card. Please note that your QSL card request will not be processed in real time and may take several days due to the high number of requests and our limited resources. Please be patient, and sorry about that!

To receive a QSL card from NEXUS-IBA, listeners must provide detailed reception information using SIO or SINPO codes. These are standardised ways to report the quality of a radio signal:

SINPO Code

SINPO code is an internationally recognised code used by radio listeners to evaluate and report the quality of radio broadcasts, particularly in Shortwave (SW), Medium Wave (MW), and Longwave (LW) bands, assessing five key elements of signal quality:

• S (Signal Strength): The strength of the received signal, rated from 1 (weak) to 5 (strong).

• I (Interference): The amount of interference from other stations, rated from 1 to 5.

• N (Noise): Background noise that affects clarity, rated from 1 to 5.

• P (Propagation): Stability of the signal during reception, rated from 1 to 5.

• O (Overall Quality): The overall clarity and listenability of the reception, rated from 1 to 5.

SIO Code used in reception reports

The SIO code is a simplified version of the SINPO code described above, focusing on three main aspects, each rated on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent):

• • S (Signal Strength): Measures the intensity of the received signal.

  • I (Interference): Indicates the level of disturbance from other stations.

  • O (Overall Quality): Represents the general clarity and intelligibility of the broadcast.

Additional Requirements to obtain a QSL card

To complete your reception report, please include:

• Date, time, and frequency of reception;

• Details of the program heard;

• If possible, a short recording of the broadcast for verification

We also encourage listeners to share their comments about the program. Your feedback is invaluable to program producers, helping them improve and adapt their content for a global audience.

We ask questions about your reception and personal data to serve you better. Some of this data is necessary to verify your reception and process your QSL request; others may be omitted. NEXUS-IBA will not disclose your information to third parties (except our service provider, Milano Ventures Ltd, which will manage administration and listeners’ requests on our behalf), including advertisers, direct mail, or telemarketers.

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Learn more by subscribing to NEXUS-IBA and IRRS Mailing Lists

To receive information on our frequencies, programs and broadcast opportunities, you may subscribe to our low-traffic mailing lists:

• IRRS-Shortwave listeners mailing list: This low-traffic list provides information on IRRS-Shortwave and IRRS-Medium Wave frequency and program schedules.
• SW-producers: This list informs broadcasters and radio content producers of new events, programs, or broadcast opportunities at NEXUS-IBA and its radio stations.