ARRL

Register Account

Login Help

Incoming QSL Service

Incoming QSL Service

  • Introduction

    Within the US, the ARRL DX QSL Bureau System is made up of numerous call-area bureaus. They act as central clearing houses for QSL cards arriving from foreign countries. Volunteers staff these "incoming" bureaus. The service is free.  ARRL membership is not required.

     

    Canadian amateurs can use the Radio Amateurs of Canada's incoming QSL bureau.

     

  • How the QSL System Works

    Most countries have "outgoing" QSL bureaus that operate in much the same manner as the ARRL Outgoing QSL Service. The members send their cards to their outgoing bureau, where they are packaged and shipped to the appropriate countries.

     

    A majority of the DX QSL cards are shipped directly to the individual incoming bureaus where volunteers sort the incoming QSLs by the first letter of the call sign suffix. One individual may be assigned the responsibility of handling one or more letters of the alphabet.

     

    All incoming QSL Bureaus have e-mail addresses and Web pages.  The information for specific Bureaus is listed below.

  • Claiming Your QSLs

    You can claim your QSLs by sending a 5" x 7-1/2" or 6" x 9" self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) or money credit to the bureau serving your call sign area. Neatly print your call sign in the upper left corner of the envelope. Place your mailing address on the front of the envelope. A suggested way to send envelopes is to affix a first class stamp and clip extra postage to the envelope. Then, if you receive more than 1 ounce of cards, they can be sent in a single package.

     

    Some incoming bureaus sell envelopes or postage credits in addition to the normal SASE handling. They provide the proper envelope and postage upon the prepayment of a certain fee. The exact arrangements can be obtained by sending your inquiry with a SASE to your area bureau. (A list of bureaus appears below.)

  • How to Make the Bureau System Work Better for You

    Good cooperation between the DXer and the bureau is important to ensure a smooth flow of cards. Remember that the people who work in the area bureaus are volunteers. They are providing you with a valuable service. To obtain the best results, please pay close attention to the following dos and don'ts.

     

    Dos

    • Do keep self-addressed 5 x 7-1/2 or 6 x 9 inch envelopes or money credit on file at your bureau, with your call sign in the upper left corner, and affix at least one unit of first-class postage.
    • Do send the bureau enough postage to cover SASEs on file and enough to take care of possible postage rate increases.
    • Do respond quickly to any bureau request for SASEs, stamps or money. Unclaimed card backlogs are the bureau's biggest problem.
    • Do notify the bureau of your new call sign as you upgrade. Please send SASEs with your new call, in addition to SASEs with your old call.
    • Do include your call sign on any correspondence with the bureau. 
    • Do include a SASE with any information request to the bureau.
    • Do notify the bureau in writing if you don't want your cards.
    • Do notify the Bureau of a change of address.

    Don'ts

    • Don't send domestic US to US cards to the various call area bureaus.
    • Don't expect DX cards to arrive for several months after the QSO. Overseas delivery is very slow. Many cards coming from overseas bureaus are over a year old.
    • Don't send your outgoing DX cards to your call area bureau. 
    • Don't send SASEs to your "portable" bureau. For example, NU0X/1 sends SASEs to the W0 bureau, not the W1 bureau.
    • Don't send SASEs or money credits to the ARRL Outgoing QSL Service.
    • Don't send SASEs larger than 6 x 9 inches. SASEs larger than 6 x 9 inches require additional postage surcharges.

  • Complete Information

    For a PDF file of all of the information above, click the Learn More link below.

     
    Learn More

QSL Service Addresses

  • First Call Area Service

    All first-area call signs:

     

    W1 QSL Bureau
    YCCC
    PO Box 73
    Marlborough, MA 01752-0073

    This bureau accepts money credits only. NO SASEs. For specific information on the W1 incoming bureau, please contact w1qsl@w1qsl.org. This address can also be used to send comments or general questions to the W1 QSL Bureau Manager.
    Go Now

  • Second Call Area Service

    All second-area call signs:

     

    ARRL 2nd District QSL Bureau
    NJDXA
    PO Box 599
    Morris Plains, NJ 07950

     

    This bureau accepts money credits only. NO SASEs. For detailed information on the W2 Incoming QSL Bureau, please contact Douglas Rue, W2EN, Bureau Manager, w2en@njdxa.org. Additionally, the W2 Bureau has its own home page that contains a world of QSL Bureau information.
    Go Now

  • Third Call Area Service

    All third-area call signs:

     W3 Incoming QSL Bureau

    National Capitol DX Association
    NCDXA
    PO Box 190, Glenelg, MD 21737-0190

     

    Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to w3kx@arrl.net
    For more information see the W3 Incoming QSL Bureau web page.
    Go Now

  • Fourth Call Area Service

    The W4 call area incoming bureau is no longer divided into TWO SECTIONS. 
     

    Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to gormil@aol.com

    Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club
    Call Box 599
    Sterling, VA 20167
    Go Now


    Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to gormil@aol.com.

  • Fifth Call Area Service

    All fifth-area call signs:

    The ARRL W5 QSL Bureau

    The W5 Incoming Bureau accepts money credits only. NO SASE's. The new fee is $1 per envelope. Funds may be sent via check to:

    W5 Incoming Bureau
    P.O. Box 2495
    Broken Arrow, OK 74013

    Or SASE purchases can be made using the PayPal feature on the website:
    www.w5incomingbureau.net

    Bureau procedures are outlined and you can also search your callsign to see what your sorter has on file for you. 

     

     

  • Sixth Call Area Service

    All sixth area call signs:

    ARRL Sixth (6th) District DX QSL Bureau

    6th District Incoming QSL Bureau

    P.O. Box 7488

    Stockton, CA 95267-0488

     

    Questions can be directed to:  6thdistrictqslmanager@gmail.com 
    Go Now

  • Seventh Call Area Service

    All seventh-area call signs:

     

    Willamette Valley DX Club Inc
    7th District QSL Bureau

    P.O. Box 1288

    Battle Ground, WA 98604-4687

    Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to 7thareaqslbureau@gmail.com

    See the W7 Bureau home page.
    Go Now

  • Eighth Call Area Service

     

    All eighth-area call signs:

     

    8th Area QSL Bureau
    PO Box 307
    West Chester, OH 45071-0307

     

    Comments or questions on this bureaus operation may be directed to: n8dx@arrl.net

     

    See the 8th Area QSL Bureau home page for contact information.
    Go Now

  • Ninth Call Area Service

     

    All ninth-area call signs:

     

    Northern Illinois DX Assn.

    P.O. Box 125

    Naperville, IL 60566

    Comments or questions on this bureaus operation may be directed to: k9eu@att.net.

    See the W9 QSL Bureau homepage.

     
    Go Now

  • Tenth Call Area Service

     

     

    WØ QSL Bureau
    PO Box 907
    Florissant, MO 63032

     

    Comments or questions on this Bureau's operation may be directed to JCYodis@aol.com
    Go Now

  • Hawaii

     

    All Hawaiian call signs:

     

    KH6 QSL Bureau
    c/o Edward K. ("Ned") Conklin, KH7JJ
    2969 Kalakaua Avenue
    # 1004
    Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

     

    Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to kh7jj@arrl.net.

  • Alaska

     

    All Alaskan call signs:

     

    Alaska QSL Bureau
    P.O. Box 520343
    Big Lake, AK 99652

     

    Comments or questions on this bureaus operation may be directed to trygve@mtaonline.net

  • Puerto Rico

     

    All Puerto Rico call signs:

     

    Puerto Rico QSL Bureau
    PO Box 9021061
    San Juan, PR 00902-1061

     

    Comments or questions on this bureaus operation my be directed to kp4wi@arrl.net

  • US Virgin Islands

    All USVI call signs:

     

    V.I. QSL Bureau

    Virgin Islands QSL Bureau  
    P.O. Box 25782  
    Christiansted, St. Croix  
    U.S. Virgin Islands 00824


      
    Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to k9vv@arrl.org

  • Guam

     

     

    All Guam Calls

     

    Guam QSL Bureau
    Marianas Amateur Radio Club
    P.O. Box 445
    Agana, Guam 96932

     

    Comments or questions regarding this Bureau may be directed to Danny Pobre, KH2JU, Pobre@guam.net.

     

  • All US SWL calls

    SWL QSL Bureau

    To be determined

     

     

     

Join ARRL

Donate Now

QST Get it here

EXPLORE ARRL

Instragram     Facebook     Twitter     YouTube     LinkedIn