SIGNAL's fron pages 1960-2005
The Signal has been issued since 1960 by Raimo Kaarna !
Every single penpal listings has been 'composed' by Raimo already for 46 years. He has made the all the lay-outs and printing originals, even printed several issues back in the 60's, at first with a manual Roneo mimeographing machine and two electric Rex Rotary stencil duplicators, in the 70's and 80's with Signal's own Gestetner 200 and 210 offset printing presses. In the 80's and 90's most Signals were printed on high speed newspaper web offset presses. The Signals of late 90's and this century have been printed mainly with two digital Ricoh Priport duplicators.
Signal issues 1/2004 and 2/2004 were again printed on 4-color web offset presses.
At first the texts were written with manual typewriters, later with electric IBM ball typewriters, Varityper cold composing machine, then with IBM 72 and IBM 82 electronic composing machines and Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter headliner... Signal's first computer was Orborne I bought in 1986, later it was upgraded into a Goldstar 286, Tandy 386, Huyndai 90 MHz Pentium, the newest computer is Targa Visionary multimedia pc. The printing originals are made with the computer and laser printers, or as computer files when offset printed.
All the Signal magazines printed in the last 46 years - some 200.000 copies - have been stuffed into envelopes and taken to the local post offices just by one man, Raimo Kaarna. Now the work burden has become a bit lighter as the main circulation media is the web, internet, information highway...
This new publishing system also lessens the very expensive and heavy postal expenses a lot. In all the Signal has paid over US$ 50.000,00 for postage stamps alone, not to mention the high printing costs !!!!
Below you see some front pages of the Signal with information about each issue. I hope you'll find this "Signal history" worth reading !
Raimo Kaarna, the publisher
In 1960-1972 Signal's page number was varying greatly
- - in 1960 7 pages
- in 1961 16 pages
- in 1962 12 pages
- in 1963 8 pages
- in 1964 44 pages
- in 1965 24 pages
- in 1966 44 pages
- in 1967 112 pages
- in 1968 88 pages
- in 1969 48 pages
- in 1970 64 pages
- in 1971 56 pages
- in 1972 64 pages...
larger photo SIGNAL issue 32, 1972
- 2-color web offset magazine
- 10.000 circulation
- 28 pages, 190x265 mm
- 400 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: manual & electric typewriter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 33, 1973
- 2-color web offset magazine
- 10.000 circulation
- 28 pages, 190x265 mm
- 400 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: manual & electric typewriter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 34, 1973
- multicolor web offset magazine
- 10.000 circulation
- 28 pages, 190x265 mm
- 400 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: manual & electric typewriter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 35, 1974
- b&w offset printed paper
- 1.000 circulation
- 36 pages, 175x250 mm
- 500 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: manual & IBM ball typewriter
printing: publisher's Gestetner 200
larger photo SIGNAL issue 36, 1974
- b&w offset printed paper
- 1.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 175x250 mm
- 300 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: manual & IBM ball typewriter
printing: publisher's Gestetner 200
larger photo SIGNAL issue 39, 1975
- 2-color offset printed paper
- 1.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 148x210 mm
- 300 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: manual & IBM ball typewriter
printing: publisher's Gestetner 200
larger photo SIGNAL issue 43, 1977
- b&w offset printed paper
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 148x210 mm
- 150 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: manual & IBM ball typewriter
printing: publisher's Gestetner 200
larger photo SIGNAL issue 47, 1978
- b&w offset printed paper
- 1.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 148x210 mm
- 300 penpals, collectors, clubs
texts: Varityper & IBM 82 composer
printing: publisher's Gestetner 200
larger photo 700 Penpals Worldwide 1978
Signal' special editions
- b&w offset printed paper
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 148x210 mm
- 700 penpal listings
texts: Varityper & IBM 82 composer
printing: publisher's Gestetner 200
larger photo Worldwide Club Directory 1978
Signal' special editions
- b&w offset printed paper
- 1.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 148x210 mm
- 200 penpal club listings
texts: Varityper & IBM 82 composer
printing: publisher's Gestetner 200
larger photo SIGNAL issue 50, 1979
- 3-color web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 12 pages, 290x410 mm
- 350 ads, photos
texts: IBM 72 and IBM 82 electronic composers
larger photo SIGNAL issue 52, 1980
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 290x410 mm
- 350 ads, photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 54, 1981
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 290x410 mm
- 670 ads, photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 56, 1982
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 290x410 mm
- 900 ads, photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 57, 1982
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 290x410 mm
- 962 ads, photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 58, 1983
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 290x410 mm
- 700 ads, photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 60, 1984
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 290x410 mm
- 1.700 ads, 200 photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 61, 1985
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 290x410 mm
- 1.500 ads, 230 photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 62, 1985
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 40 pages, 290x410 mm
- 1.700 ads, 300 photos
texts: IBM 82 electronic composer, Morisawa MC-201 Photo Typesetter
This giant multicolor tabloid Signal is propably the largest international penpal magazine ever printed anywhere !!!!!
larger photo SIGNAL issue 63, 1986
- multicolor web offset magazine
- 8.000 circulation
- 64 pages, 190x265 mm
- 1.700 ads, 330 photos
texts: IBM 72 and IBM 82 electronic composers, Osborne I computer and Canon AP400 electric typewriter
Buy Signal 63/86, US$ 2, € 2, 4 IRCs.
larger photo SIGNAL issue 64, 1987
- b&w web offset magazine
- 5.000 circulation
- 64 pages, 190x265 mm
- 1.110 ads, 250 photos
texts: IBM 72 and IBM 82 electronic composers, Osborne I computer and Canon AP400 electric typewriter
SIGNAL issue 67, 1989
- 16 pages
SIGNAL issue 68, 1989
- 16 pages
larger photo SIGNAL issue 69, 1990
- b&w sheet offset printed paper
- 2.000 circulation
- 32 pages, 170x240 mm
- 700 penpal papers and clubs
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 70, 1990
- b&w sheet offset printed paper
- 2.000 circulation
- 40 pages, 170x240 mm
- 818 penpals, 129 photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 71, 1991
- b&w sheet offset printed paper
- 2.000 circulation
- 36 pages, 170x240 mm
- 920 penpals, 246 photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 72, 1991
- b&w broadsheet offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 4 pages, 350x500 mm
- 800 penpals, 150 photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 73, 1991
- b&w broadsheet offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 4 pages, 350x500 mm
- 500 penpals, 60 photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 74, 1992
Worldwide Club Directory 1991-92
- b&w broadsheet offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 4 pages, 350x500 mm
- 500 penpal papers and clubs
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 75, 1992
- b&w broadsheet offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 4 pages, 350x500 mm
- 500 penpals, photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 76, 1992
- b&w broadsheet offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 4 pages, 350x500 mm
- 300 penpals, photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 77, 1992
- b&w broadsheet offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 4 pages, 350x500 mm
- 400 penpals, photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 78, 1992
Worldwide Club Directory 1993
- b&w broadsheet offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 4 pages, 350x500 mm
- 500 penpals clubs
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 79, 1993
- b&w tabloid offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 8 pages, 250x340 mm
- 500 penpals, photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 80, 1993
- b&w tabloid offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 250x340 mm
- 1.400 penpals, 200 photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 81, 1993
Worldwide Club Directory 1994
- b&w tabloid offset paper
- 5.000 circulation
- 8 pages, 250x340 mm
- 650 penpalclubs
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
SIGNAL issue 82, 1994
- 2-color web offset magazine
- 5.000 circulation
- 40 pages, 195x280 mm
- 1.500 penpals, photos
texts: Goldstar 286 and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 83, 1995
- 2-color web offset magazine
- 5.000 circulation
- 32 pages, 195x280 mm
- 1.150 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
larger photo SIGNAL issue 85, 1995
- 2-color offset/digital duplicating
- 1.000 circulation
- 36 pages, 167x240 mm
- 900 penpals, 150 photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 86e, 1996
- computer disk
- 2.000 penpals, 150 photos
texts: computer
SIGNAL issue 87, 1996
- worldwide club directory
- 48 pages, 195x280 mm
- 500 penpals clubs
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 88, 1996
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 52 pages, 115x290 mm
- 1.000 penpals, 120 photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 91, 1997
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 180x260 mm
- 500 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 92, 1997
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 180x260 mm
- 420 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 93, 1997
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 180x260 mm
- 200 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 1, 1998
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 180x260 mm
- 200 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 2, 1998
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 180x260 mm
- 200 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 3, 1998
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 180x260 mm
- 200 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 4, 1998
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 20 pages, 180x260 mm
- 200 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 5, 1998
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 180x260 mm
- 315 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 6, 1998
- digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 24 pages, 180x260 mm
- 338 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 1, 1999
- 3-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 210x297 mm
- penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 2, 1999
- 3-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 210x297 mm
- penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 3, 1999
- 3-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 210x297 mm
- penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 4, 1999
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 300 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 5, 1999
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 300 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 5/1999-1/2000
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 383 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL 99E-1999
- computer disk magazine
- 2.000 penpals
SIGNAL 2000E-1999
- computer disk magazine
- 2.000 penpals
larger photo SIGNAL issue 2, 2000
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 350 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 3, 2000
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 350 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 4, 2000
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 350 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 5, 2000
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 350 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 6, 2000
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 350 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 1, 2001
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 350 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
SIGNAL issue 2, 2001
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 400 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
SIGNAL issue 3, 2001
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 400 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
SIGNAL issue 4, 2001
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 400 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
SIGNAL issue 5, 2001
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 400 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
SIGNAL issue 1, 2002
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 350 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
larger photo SIGNAL issue 2, 2002
- 2-color digitally duplicated magazine
- 1.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 210x297 mm
- 400 penpals, photos
texts: computer and laserprinter
printing: publisher's Ricoh Priport
SIGNAL issue 1 and 2, 2004
- multicolor web offset tabloid
- 5.000 circulation
- 16 pages, 290x410 mm
- 350-400 penpals in each
texts: computer and laserprinter
US$ 5 or Euro 5 or 10 IRCs postpaid
SIGNAL issue 3, 4 and 5, 2005
- digitally duplicated b&w adsheets
- 2 pages each, 297x420 mm
- 100 penpals in each
texts: computer and laserprinter
SIGNAL issue 1, 2005
SIGNAL issue 2, 2005
SIGNAL issue 3, 2005
- digitally duplicated b&w adsheets
- 2 pages each, 297x420 mm
- 100 penpals in each
texts: computer and laserprinter
This page will be continued later as I have time...
More photos, more history of penpal publishing.
Also other international penpal papers' photos will be seen here in the future.
More photos, more history of penpal publishing.
Also other international penpal papers' photos will be seen here in the future.
Raimo Kaarna, the publisher