Gorilla, flamingos, rhinos and tigers: Zoo theme for 2025 series of amateur-radio QSL postcards

Radio Prague International still sticks to tradition and comes up with a series of amateur-radio postcards every year.

“Every year we try to choose a topic that is connected with significant events in Czech history, as was the case last year, when we celebrated the Year of Czech Music, or we try to introduce interesting places, monuments and personalities. This year, in a summer series, we will focus on the largest Czech zoos and their unique rescue programmes, which is why we have chosen animals as the theme,” says Klára Stejskalová, editor-in-chief of Radio Prague International.

Kristýna Marková is behind the graphic design. “This year, I decided to work with the QSL cards like a jigsaw puzzle. After collecting four animal illustrations, the image will be combined into a larger whole that depicts the biodiversity of zoos.”

By mail and online

As many international radio stations have reduced their shortwave broadcasts, they have also stopped issuing QSL cards – postcards confirming reception to listeners. Radio Prague International still continues this tradition. However, the constant price increases by the Czech Post have unfortunately forced us to send printed postcards since last year only to those listeners who send us a postcard or letter themselves. We will send electronic QSL cards to those who send us a message about listening to our programme by e-mail or via a web form.

QSL means "I confirm connection" or "I confirm reception" and QSL cards were sent by radio stations to listeners who informed them about the quality and reach of their broadcasts.