1970 “The Hardhead” QSL Card Norwood N.C

This vintage CB radio postcard is a true collector’s gem, broadcasting both charm and curiosity from Route 1 in Norwood, North Carolina. The bold call sign “KBRZ 5405,” followed by a friendly wave from Estell & Patsy Smith and their crew: Julia, Diane, and Arnold. The nickname “The ‘Hardhead’” adds a touch of down-home humor, echoed in the hand-drawn illustrations and speech bubbles that make this card feel like it came straight from the kitchen table radio shack.

Quips like “Great Day in the Morning That Hurts,” “I Told You To Turn It Off,” and “My Daddy Is a Hardhead” float above cartoon family members, including one hunched over a CB rig, another holding a broom, and a kid on a bike, all lovingly labeled. Channel notes like “ALL (23)” and “MONITOR (11)” mark this as a slice of authentic CB culture, right down to the details.

Flip it over, and the card becomes a functional signal report survey, inviting fellow operators to share their reception quality, signal strength, and distance —a friendly form of feedback long before digital dashboards. It’s part advertisement, part personal touch, and entirely steeped in the homespun radio traditions of the 1970s and ‘80s.

Created by amateur radio and CB enthusiasts, QSL cards served as mailed confirmations of two-way contact—something like a “reception receipt.” The term comes from Q-code "QSL," meaning "I confirm receipt of your transmission." Long before the internet, these cards connected hobbyists across cities, states, and countries, combining technical details with local flair. Today, QSLs are prized not just for their communication value but as vivid snapshots of radio history and grassroots Americana.

This postcard would look great framed, make a wonderful host or hostess gift, or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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