Sierra Blanca Amateur Radio Club “PSE QSL” Tried and Tested Ways to Send & Receive QSL Cards By...

Sierra Blanca Amateur Radio Club

“PSE QSL”Tried and Tested Ways to

Send & Receive QSL Cards

By Wayne Greaves, WØZW


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Topics

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


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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


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QSL Card Examples


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QSL Card Examples


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QSL Card Examples


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What's the Appeal?

Obtain operating awards DXCC WAC WAZ

Decorate the shack It's fun!


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The QSL Cycle

Ur CardDX Card

Work the

Station

ConfirmsQSO


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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!


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Required Information

Station Date Time Mode Freq RSTQSL

Confirming 2-way contact with:

Your Call Sign

Your Signature or

“Verified By” stamp


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How to Send

QSL Bureau QSL Manager (domestic) QSL Manager (foreign) QSL Direct


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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


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QSL Bureau

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


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QSL Bureau

Advantages 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


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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!


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QSL Manager

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


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QSL Manager (domestic)

Many DX stations have stateside QSL managers

Not expensive Pay postage both ways (SASE) Excellent response rates Good turn around time


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QSL Manager (foreign)

Excellent response rates Can get expensive Faster return that QSL Bureau Pay postage both ways

- IRC

- Foreign postage

- Green Stamps $$


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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


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International Reply Coupon

A coupon exchangeable for 1st class postage in country where redeemed

Sold by US Postal Service for $1.85


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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


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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


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Manager Look-Up


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Bulletins

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


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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


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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


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W5 Incoming Bureau

www.okdxa.org/buro

W5 QSL Bureau

P.O. Box 2591

Claremore, OK 74018-2591

Manager: Jerry Chouinard, K5YAA


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Tracking Your Results

What to track Entities By mode By band Sent/Confirmed/Verified

Paper and pencil Shoe box organizer PC software


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QSL Database Application


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Handy References


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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!

Sierra Blanca Amateur Radio Club “PSE QSL” Tried and Tested Ways to Send & Receive QSL Cards By...

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