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Raise your hand if you don't like to look at QSL cards. Well, there's always someone... But most hams like to have QSL cards to show to fellow hams or visitors to the shack. If you're a member, ARRL's QSL Service is available to keep those cards coming, at minimum cost.
 Visitors to the Outgoing QSL Service are greeted by a display of colorful QSLs and the latest statistics on bureau activity. Yes, the cards are extras, sent to ARRL for display. |
One of the greatest bargains of ARRL membership is the Outgoing QSL Service, which will forward your DX QSL cards to foreign QSL bureaus. Your ticket for using this service is proof of ARRL membership and just $4.00 per each half pound of cards submitted. Hams wishing to send 10 or fewer cards pay just $1.00 per shipment. The potential savings over the cost of mailing individual QSLs can be equal to many times the price of your annual dues. For those receiving cards from overseas, nothing beats the ARRL Incoming QSL service which is staffed by volunteers in each of the various call areas.
The Outgoing QSL Service
The ARRL Outgoing QSL Service is located at League Headquarters. The Service mails to approximately 260 DXCC entities on the ARRL DXCC List. Receiving bureaus must be International Amateur Radio Union members.
ARRL members may send QSL cards to ARRL Outgoing QSL Service, 225 Main Street, Newington CT 06111. Sort cards alphabetically by parent call-sign prefix: AP, DL, 9Y and so on. Enclose the correct payment as mentioned above.
When your package arrives at ARRL, the cards are presorted into three piles corresponding to the three sorting stations shown in the photograph below. Your cards and other members' cards are put into a bin corresponding to the prefix of the country that will receive the cards. When the bin is full, cards are bundled and shipped via surface mail to the incoming bureau of that country prefix. Cards are usually shipped within two weeks of arrival at HQ. Bins representing less popular prefixes are emptied every three months and the contents forwarded, regardless of the number of cards.
Bureaus are typically maintained by the Amateur Radio society of each country. Forty-eight countries have no Incoming Bureau, and cards cannot therefore be forwarded. No cards are forwarded to individuals. However, QSL cards can be forwarded to a QSL manager via his or her bureau, e.g. 3C1MB via EA7KF.
Some amateurs who live in other countries join ARRL as international members so they can enjoy the convenience of this QSL service. It is especially valuable if their country does not have a service of its own to forward outgoing cards. The international member finds it convenient to make a single bulk mailing to the outgoing service here at HQ. Since ARRL membership is open to anyone interested in Amateur Radio, we also forward SWL cards.
One problem faced by the Outgoing QSL Service Staff is unsorted cards sent in by members. The staff will sort small packages containing unsorted cards "when time permits," but larger shipments are returned to the sender.
The Incoming Bureau System
Within the US and Canada, the ARRL Incoming DX QSL Bureau System is made up of call area bureaus staffed by volunteers. Volunteers receive bulk mailings of cards from foreign QSL bureaus and forward the cards to the ham to whom they are addressed, using envelopes or postage credits supplied by the ham. The service is free and ARRL membership is not required.
Perhaps you might like to volunteer as a Card Sorter or Bureau Manager. The Manager of the Incoming QSL Bureau for your call area appoints Card Sorters. ARRL Division Directors appoint Bureau Managers. Click on these links to find your ARRL Division Directors and Incoming QSL Bureau Managers.
Incidentally, beware--the work can become addictive and compelling. Note for instance the longevity of two outstanding former Incoming QSL Bureau Managers: John Bierman, KL7GNP, served 27 years as the manager for Alaska and ARRL Life Member Archie Willis, W6LPJ, served 26 years as manager in the 6th call area (California).
