Q: What is the address to write to for the 4-Callsign area Incoming QSL Buro?
A:
You can send all correspondence, QSL
envelopes, questions, or SPARC membership information to our
address, which is:
SPARC QSL Bureau
Call Box 599
Sterling, VA 20167.
Q: I've worked a number of foreign stations that have said "I will QSL via the bureau". What does that mean?
A: In a nutshell, it means that they will occasionally prepare a batch of their outgoing QSLs for past QSOs and send them to their National amateur radio organization (like our ARRL). Periodically, these organizations will sort and ship cards gathered from various amateurs throughout their country to the various QSL Bureaus located throughout the world. Then individual amateurs make arrangements to obtain their incoming cards from their own local QSL Bureau.
Q: Does that mean I must be a member of the American Radio Relay League to participate in QSLing through the Bureau?
A: No, the Bureaus will accept cards for ARRL members and nonmembers alike; however, in order to ship your outgoing QSLs, you must be an ARRL member and pay a small fee for service. (See ARRL web site).
Q: I've never used a Bureau before, but have worked some DX in the past. Can I see if I have cards on file before sending envelopes?
A:
YES. Send am email to the Bureau
Manager and we will check the status of your cards and
envelopes.
A:
NO. Envelopes are filed by call and
different calls are maintained at various locations, and we have
no way to cross reference upgrades, family calls, etc. Depending
on callsign, you may have to maintain envelopes at different
bureaus or with different letter managers.
A:
Send an email to the bureau manager, who
can check with the appropriate letter manager for you.
Q: How long does the bureau keep the cards
before trashing them.
A: The cards will be
keep for a minimum of 90 days. Often longer depending up
the schedule of the person handling your call sign.
Before trashing the cards, the letter manager will attempt to
contact you either by email or by post card. The letter
managers often check with QRZ.COM to find your call sign and
to determine if you have a stated preference for handling QSL
cards.