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ARRL's Incoming QSL Bureau System
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Introduction
· How the System Works
· Claiming Your QSLs
· Hints
Call Area Bureaus:
1st · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th · 7th · 8th · 9th · 10th · Hawaii · Alaska · Puerto Rico · US Virgin Islands
· SWL
Introduction
Within the US, the ARRL DX QSL Bureau System is made up of numerous call-area bureaus that 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 System Works
Most countries have "outgoing" QSL bureaus that operate in much the same manner as the ARRL Outgoing QSL Service and the RAC outgoing QSL bureau. Members send their cards to their outgoing bureaus, where the cards are packaged and shipped to the appropriate countries.
A majority of the DX QSLs are shipped directly to the individual incoming bureaus where volunteers sort the incoming QSLs by the first letter of the call sign-suffix (the B in the BRD in the call sign W9BRD, for example). One individual may be assigned the responsibility of handling from one or more letters of the alphabet. Operating costs are funded from ARRL membership dues.
Claiming Your QSLs
Send a 5 x 7-1/2 or 6 x 9 inch self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) to the bureau serving your call-sign district. 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.)
Hints on 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. With that thought in mind, please pay close attention to the following dos and don'ts.
Dos
•Do check the list below to see if your bureau has any special requirements.
•Do keep self-addressed 5 x 7-1/2 or 6 x 9 inch envelopes on file at your bureau, with your call 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 a SASE with any information request to the bureau.
•Do notify the bureau in writing if you don't want your cards.
Don'ts
•Don't send domestic US to US cards to your call-area bureau.
•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. That is, AA2Z/1 should send SASEs to the W2 bureau, not the W1 bureau.
•Don't send SASEs 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.
Bureau Addresses
First Call Area
All first-area call signs:
W1 QSL Bureau
YCCC
PO Box 80216
Springfield, MA 01138-0216
This QSL Bureau prefers money credits over SASEs. For specific information on bureau credits, please email [email protected]. This address can also be used to send comments or general questions to the W1 QSL Bureau Manager.
Second Call Area
All second-area call signs:
ARRL 2nd District QSL Bureau
NJDXA
PO Box 599
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
This QSL Bureau prefers that subscribers send a check for postage credits. SASEs will only be accepted if they are close to 5 x 7-1/2 inch size. The Bureau will provide envelopes if required. For detailed information on the W2 Incoming QSL Bureau, please contact Ron Levy, K2CO, Bureau Manager, [email protected], or John Maikisch, K2AZ, Assistant Manager, [email protected]. Additionally, the Bureau has its own home page that contains a world of QSL Bureau information.
Third Call Area
All third-area call signs:
Pennsylvania DX Association
PDXA
PO Box 100
York Haven, PA 17370-0100
Fourth Call Area
All fourth-area call signs with single-letter prefixes (K4, N4, W4):
Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Club
PO Box DX
Charlotte, NC 28220
Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
All fourth-area call signs with two-letter prefixes (AA4, KB4, NC4, WD4, etc):
Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club
Call Box 599
Sterling, VA 20167
Comments on questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
Fifth Call Area
All fifth-area call signs:
ARRL W5 Incoming QSL Bureau
PO Box 50625
Midland, TX 79710
Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
Sixth Call Area
All sixth-area call signs:
ARRL Sixth (6th) District DX QSL Bureau
PO Box 1460
Sun Valley, CA 91352
This Bureau prefers 5 x 7-1/2 inch SASEs. You may also send money for postage credits. Please write for detailed information on postage credits, enclosing an SASE. Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may also be directed to [email protected].
Seventh Call Area
All seventh-area call signs:
Willamette Valley DX Club Inc
PO Box 555
Portland, OR 97207
Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
Eighth Call Area
All eighth-area call signs:
8th Area QSL Bureau
PO Box 182165
Columbus, OH 43218-2165
Ninth Call Area
All ninth-area call signs:
Northern Illinois DX Association
Box 1450
Woodstock, IL, 60098
Comments or questions on this Bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
Tenth Call Area
All tenth-area call signs:
W0 QSL Bureau
PO Box 4798
Overland Park, KS 66204
Comments or questions on this Bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
Hawaii
All Hawaiian call signs:
KH6 QSL Bureau
Wayne Jones, NH6GJ
PO Box 788
Wahiawa, HI 96786
Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
Alaska
All Alaskan call signs:
Alaska QSL Bureau
P.O. Box 520343
Big Lake, AK 99652
Puerto Rico
All Puerto Rico call signs:
Puerto Rico QSL Bureau
PO Box 9021061
San Juan, PR 00902-1061
US Virgin Islands
All USVI call signs:
Virgin Islands ARC
GPO Box 11360
Charlotte Amalie, VI 00801
Comments or questions on this bureau's operation may be directed to [email protected].
All US SWL calls
SWL QSL Bureau
Mike Witkowski, WDX9JFT
4206 Nebel St
Stevens Point, WI 54481
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Page last modified: 11:16 AM, 19 Jan 1998 ET
Page author: [email protected]
for more info go to
http://www.arrl.org/qsl/qslin.html
lets go to the front page now