HRD Logbook has the ability to print QSL and address labels using popular Avery label sheets and single label printers, such as the ones made by Brother or Dymo.


Editorial note: In this process, I have tested almost every label size and label printer on-the-planet. I have the following recommendations:]

  • Label width: A 90mm (about 3-1/2") width is generally best for most of us. 
  • Label height: depends upon how many QSOs will print on a single label and how much additional information you want to include. A 28mm minimum is recommended.
  • For printing many labels at a time, sheet labels printed on a standard Letter or A4 printer are recommended.
  • For printing labels one-at-a-time or as needed, the single label printers are recommended.
  • Personally, I found the Brother QL-series label printers to be of better quality and easier to use than Dymo LabelWriter.


To print labels, select the QSOs you wish to print labels for and take one of the following two actions:

  • Right-click on selected QSOs, drop down to File > Print > Labels
  • Click on the "Print Labels" button in the button bar



The label printing form will come up:


(Click image for a full-sized clearer view)


From the bar above the print preview, you will see controls that will enable you to zoom, search text, and rotate the content in the print preview window.



The following choices can be made:



The following "label types" are available :

  • QSL Labels
  • Address Labels (address fields must be populated in selected QSOs)


QSL LABELS

The following "QSL label styles" are available (with or without QSL bureau sorting):

  • Modern Style (callsigns above the QSO details)
  • Traditional Style (callsigns within the QSO details)


Modern Style

Traditional Style


Label size - label printing (v6.8.0.256 or later) now obtains its label sizes from the installed printer drivers or built-in Avery templates. Select the label size that you are using.


If you are using a printer that has multiple available print rolls (such as the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo) or trays, you will have the option to select the desired roll or tray (as shown here).



The font default is "Consolas." We strongly recommend using the defaults for font and font size. Consolas is a "fixed-width" font. This means that it will give you a predictable result. It also has a built-in "strike-through" for the number zero. You can select the font size.


IMPORTANT: The font size you should use is dependent upon how much information you want to put on the QSL label. We recommend that you first select the fields and information you want on the QSL label and then adjust the font size accordingly.


You can have the contents of "QSL Via" for the records you you are printing added to the top of your label. However, the "QSL Via" field is capable of holding more characters than what can print on the label. Therefore, this option will print either the first 10 characters or everything in that field before the first comma. So be sure to adjust the data in those fields (with a comma) to obtain the best outcome. 


Additional options are included as follows:

  • You can choose Frequency or Band by clicking the "Toggle Band" box.
  • There are choices about the date format - either "m/d/yyyy" or "Month, Day, Year."
  • The "Year" option allows a choice between a 2-year or 4-year date field.


If you are using label sheets, you can select the starting location for the first label. Labels print from "left to right" and from "top to bottom."


You can select which fields to include on your QSL label.



The "Main Rows" are what will print in the "table" section of the QSL label.


NOTE: By default, Submode is included for those who will print FT4 QSOs. You can remove this and add it as needed by selecting that row and click the red "X". You can add fields in by clicking the green plus sign. You can reorder them with the up/down arrows.


In the bottom row, you can add things like comments, information about your rig and antenna, your power output, and so on.


Any field from the database can be included in the Main and Bottom rows. Your limitation is the size of the label.



When enabled, the "Pse QSL" and "Tnx QSL" option adds this text to the bottom of the label based on the following criteria:

  • If QSL Rcvd is "Y" (yes), then "Tnx QSL" is printed below the "Bottom Row"
  • If QSL Rcvd is "N" (no), then "Pse QSL" is printed below the "Bottom Row"


QSL Sent Status Options


The QSL Sent Status Options were previously in a different dialog box. They have been moved here for ease-of-use.


These are the actions that will be taken when you print QSL labels. You can automatically:

  • Change the values of QSL Sent to Yes and the route to Bureau, Direct, Electronic, and Manager (these are the values specified by the ADIF standards).
  • Set the QSL Sent date to the date printed
  • Change the Via field in the printed QSO records to something specific (free text form can be used to put things like - Bureau, QSL manager's callsign, OQRS, and so on).




Outgoing QSL Bureau Filtered and Sorted


Note: When not using the "Bureau Filtered and Sorted", the labels are printed in ascending chronological order (oldest first).


The "Bureau Filtered and Sorted" option enables you to select a large number of QSOs to send through an outgoing QSL bureau and have them printed in the order that outgoing QSL bureaus require them. Selected QSOs that are not served by the outgoing QSL bureau will be filtered from the list (skipped) for printing and their QSL sent status are not updated.


The bureau sort order is the following:

  • The DXCC country primary prefix (Note: This is not the callsign's prefix. This is the primary prefix for the DXCC Country per the DXCC list.)
  • Call areas (while some countries don't have them, we still sort them as if they do)
  • Callsign


This sorting complies with outgoing QSL bureau sorting requirements that ensure that the cards are easily able to be sent to the destination country's receiving bureau, the regional district bureau, and the specific recipients served.


There's an button that allows you to "View Bureau Sort." You can check our work!


Once all these things are set, click "Print" at the top.


There is an option to "Skip print preview when clicking the Print Labels button."



When this box is selected, labels will print immediately when the "Print Labels" button is clicked. This is great for situations where labels are printed one-at-a-time or in small quantities. When this box is checked, the only way to get back to the print preview dialog is to through the other method noted at the beginning of this article.


Reset Default sets all the options and row content back to their default values.


ADDRESS LABELS

The following "Address label styles" are available:

  • Address without barcode
  • Address with barcode





You can choose the type of address label. US addresses can include a barcode of the postal (zip) code to assist the postal service with routing.


You can choose whether or not to include the callsign in the address label.