1. Tried and Tested Ways to Send & Receive QSL Cards
“PSE QSL”
Tried and Tested Ways to Send & Receive QSL Cards
By Wayne Greaves, WØZW

2. Topics QSL basics What's the appeal? The QSL cycle How to send
How to receive
Tracking your results

3. QSL Basics
“QSL” is a Q-signal abbreviation meaning confirmation of receipt
To QSL a contact is to exchange written confirmation of a 2-way QSO
Traditionally done by exchanging QSL cards
Exchanging QSL cards is considered the “final courtesy” of a contact

4. QSL Card Examples

5. QSL Card Examples

6. QSL Card Examples

7. What's the Appeal? Obtain operating awards Decorate the shack
DXCC
WAC
WAZ
Decorate the shack
It's fun!

8. The QSL Cycle
Work
the
Station
DX Card
Ur Card
Confirms
QSO

9. Your QSL Card Every station should have its own personalized QSL cards
Available as cheaply as 100 for $10
Custom four-color glossy photo cards available 1,000 for $120 and up
Can't request a QSL if you don't have your own!

10. Required Information Your Call Sign Confirming 2-way contact with:
Station Date Time Mode Freq RST QSL
Your Signature or
“Verified By” stamp

11. How to Send QSL Bureau QSL Manager (domestic)‏ QSL Manager (foreign)‏
QSL Direct

12. QSL Bureau
An organization that sends or receives QSL cards in bulk to/from DX entities on behalf of participating members
Use “outgoing” bureau to send QSLs
Use “incoming” bureau to receive QSLs
ARRL provides outgoing QSL service

13. QSL Bureau
Martin Cook, N1FOC, sorting outgoing QSLs sent via ARRL bureau in various bins, ready to be forwarded.

14. QSL Bureau Advantages Disadvantages Least expensive method
Good response rate
Can send to QSL managers
Disadvantages
Can take a year or longer!
Some DX may not accept via bureau

15. QSL Manager
An individual who handles QSL cards on behalf of another ham
Listen for QSL instructions, for example “QSL via W5XYZ”
Managers can be domestic or foreign
A thankless yet important job!

16. QSL Manager
Joseph Arcure, W3HNK has managed QSLs for nearly 400 call signs over 35 years!

17. QSL Manager (domestic)‏
Many DX stations have stateside QSL managers
Not expensive
Pay postage both ways (SASE)‏
Excellent response rates
Good turn around time

18. QSL Manager (foreign)‏
Excellent response rates
Can get expensive
Faster return that QSL Bureau
Pay postage both ways
- IRC
- Foreign postage
- Green Stamps $$

19. QSL Direct Send card direct to DX address Best response rate
Most expensive way to QSL
Pay postage both ways
- IRC
- Foreign postage
- Green Stamps $$
Postal addresses can be hard to find

20. International Reply Coupon
A coupon exchangeable for 1st class postage in country where redeemed
Sold by US Postal Service for $1.85

21. Green Stamps U.S. Dollar is nearly universally accepted
Use in lieu of IRC
$2.00 is the going rate to ensure a reply
There is a risk it can be stolen en-route

22. Looking Up DX Address QRZ.COM call sign look-up
IK3QAR Ham Radio site QSL manager look-up
DX bulletins
Google search on call sign

23. Manager Look-Up

24. Bulletins Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin 425 DX News W1AW DX Bulletins
The Daily DX

25. How to Receive Have your correct mailing address on QRZ.COM
Keep envelopes on-file with your incoming QSL bureau
Work stations
Send QSL cards

26. Incoming QSL Bureau In U.S. organized by call number district
Each has an informative Web site
Follow instructions for use
Keep envelopes on-file
Send extra stamps when rates increase

27. Manager: Jerry Chouinard, K5YAA
W5 Incoming Bureau
W5 QSL Bureau
P.O. Box 2591
Claremore, OK
Manager: Jerry Chouinard, K5YAA

28. Tracking Your Results What to track Paper and pencil
Entities
By mode
By band
Sent/Confirmed/Verified
Paper and pencil
Shoe box organizer
PC software

29. QSL Database Application

30. Handy References

31. Summary Collecting QSL cards is fun!
Every ham should have own QSL card
Set a goal to achieve WAS, WAC, DXCC, VUCC, etc.
Get on the air and work stations!