eQSL fraud?

In the last couple of weeks I have received two eQSLs for contacts that never happened. The QSLs were from made-up callsigns that are clearly SWLs, e.g. UA-123456. But the message with the card says simply: TNX For QSO TU 73! Curiously, both QSLs contained exactly the same wording.

Now I have nothing against SWLs. I started in this hobby as a broadcast SWL and I feel that all hams should have had experience as an SWL to get familiar with procedures, propagation and so on. But I am uncomfortable with receiving eQSLs from listeners as the eQSL system has no way to distinguish a listener report from an actual contact so their presence messes up my totals.

In practice it isn’t a big mess-up as I have never received an SWL card from a country I haven’t had a proper QSO with. So I do accept eQSLs that make it clear they are for reception of a contact I made. But TNX FOR QSO? Who do they think they are kidding, and what do they hope to gain from it?

Julian Moss, G4ILO, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cumbria, England. Contact him at [email protected].

2 Responses to “eQSL fraud?”

  • Fred Bernquist AE2DX:

    Just reject them and move along. Have received a couple myself possible they may have copied the call wrong. Just reject them.

  • Steve Silverwood KB6OJS:

    I had a couple too. Looked like someone was using my call, since they were both PSK31 contacts and I’ve never yet used that mode, plus I’ve been off the air for a while after a move to a “senior” mobile home park where antennas are problematic so no way I could have been on the air. I rejected the logs and indicated such in the comments. // Steve //

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