I have made many contacts on 6 meters that I have sent QSL cards to the other operator direct. With only a few "DX" contacts Canada/and the islands. Sending to Canada no problem. The Island call was a US call on vacation. However now that I have upgraded I have searched calls from other country's and have found information about QSLing direct to someone else in another country, others say they use the bureau and others I find no information at all. Can someone explain or point me in a direction to where the bureau is, how to use it, so on, so on. Any other information on this topic you think i should know would also be very helpful.
Thanks,
Murray KB3LZV 73's
QSLing
Murray,
Good question. Barry and Rick have provided some good info. Here's some more.
There are actually several ways to QSL with DX stations. You may hear a DX station say that you can “QSL via the bureau”, “QSL via my QSL manager”, “QSL via Logbook of the World” or “QSL direct” or “QSL to home call”. The description below is not intended to be the last word on QSLing, but will hopefully provide you some useful info on the subject of QSLing.
1. The ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau – You have to be a member of the ARRL to use their outgoing QSL service. Here’s how it works: You make contact with 100 DX stations. You sort them according to the instructions from the ARRL. Wrap them up and mail them to the ARRL.
The ARRL will distribute your cards to the counterpart QSL Bureaus for each DX entity and then mail them to those countries. The counterpart QSL bureau in each country will then distribute them in accordance with their respective processes. Eventually, the hams with whom you made contact will receive your card. Often they will wait to receive your card before sending their card to you through their QSL bureau. Have some patience.
The ARRL operates 17 separate QSL bureaus. The cards for you from DX stations will be sent to the ARRL’s Third Call Area Incoming QSL bureau. In order for you to get these cards you must maintain some self addressed stamped envelopes (SASE) with the Incoming QSL bureau. Some bureaus require envelopes of a specific type and size and a specific number of units of first class postage. Check with the bureau for the specifics. Once you have received 7-14 cards, the bureau will put them in one of your envelopes and mail them to you.
2. QSL Managers – Many DX stations use a QSL manager (typically in the USA) to handle their QSL cards for them because it’s often cheaper and easier. Once the QSL manager verifies your QSO, he will send you a QSL card. When sending a card to a QSL manager the normal protocol is to include a SASE. Most QSL managers will not send you a card if you do not include a SASE or perhaps a dollar to cover the cost of an envelope and postage. DXpeditions will often make use of multiple QSL managers (e.g., one in the USA and another in Europe, etc). Typically, QSL managers respond very quickly and your cost is for two envelopes and two units of first class postage.
3. QSL Direct or to the Home Call – Sending a QSL direct can be “iffy” depending on the country. The quality and security of postal services in third-world countries vary significantly. Because you can’t send a SASE to the DX station (our postage is worthless in their country), hams will usually enclose an International Reply Coupon (IRC) which are available from the Post Office depending on the size of the Post Office. In lieu of an IRC, hams will also enclose one or two “green stamps” (dollar bills) to help with the postage.
The sad part is that postal thieves recognize ham-related mail and too frequently the QSL card is intercepted and the IRC or green stamps are removed the card never makes it to its intended recipient. You can reduce the chances of postal thieves intercepting your mail by not putting call signs on the envelope and wrapping the QSL card and IRC or "green stamps" inside a blank piece of paper. It’s not a guarantee – only a recommendation.
4. Logbook of the World - This is an on-line, secure QSL system operated by the ARRL. Essentially you upload your logbook and when using this system you never need a paper copy of your QSL card. It’s a lot cheaper than mailing cards. The down side is the lack of a paper copy of the QSL card from the DX station. QSL cards are a great way to remember the QSO.
Hope this helps.
Bob/AA3RR
QSL direct/bureau How does it work?
Murry,
QSLing direct is done exactly like sending a card to a U.S. ham. Look up his address on qrz.com and send him one. However, most foreign QSLs go through the various bureaus. Our outgoing bureau is at the ARRL and the W3 QSL bureau is in Pa. Go to the arrl.org site and look up qsl bureaus. There is a complete explanation of how it works in both directions and costs. Using the bureaus is the most cost effective way to go with card exchanges. What you will find on the ARRL site will be a better explanation that I can give you here.
Having said that, there is a new, modern way to swap QSLs, Logbook of the World and Eqsl. Both are electronic, meaning over the Inet. the Logbook of the World (lotw) is good for all of the awards that a real card is good for. That, too, is on the ARRL web site.
73,
Barry
K3NDM
QSL Bureau
Hi Murry - Here is how it works:
The national organizations for ham radio in each country(ARRL in the US) maintain bureaus that sort and group the cards together so individuals do not have to spend so much on postage. A bundle of cards for a particular country can go as a single package.
You should keep self addressed stamped envelopes on file at your incoming bureau (NCDXA in the 3rd call area)and send cards out through the league if you can not find a direct route.
Even if you don't expect any incoming cards at the bureau, get the envelopes on file because as you work DX some cards will pile up at the bureau anyway and every so often new cards will appear in your mailbox.
Take these links for all the details.
http://www.arrl.org/qsl/qslin.html
http://www.arrl.org/qsl/qslout.html
73, Rick KK4GV