QSL Bureaus
Related wiki page: Callsign Databases
QSL
QSL means either "do you confirm receipt of my transmission" or "I confirm receipt of your transmission". It can also mean "please send me a QSL card".
QSL is a Q-code.
QSL Cards
A QSL card is a written form of QSL, a confirmation of contact between two parties. Traditionally, amateurs traded QSL cards. These are usually about the same size as a postcard, often elaborately decorated to express individuality, and were mailed from person to person. QSL cards can also be used to confirm one way communication ie, to a listener from a radio station either commercial or amateur.
A number of amateurs use electronic QSL "cards". These are available through eQSL. This website has a logging facility with which users can email other registered users and exchange QSL cards electronically. Some hams display these electronic QSL's on web pages.
Modes such as SSTV lend themselves to another way of exchanging QSL's. In the case of SSTV, each station will send a screen that contains contact detail.
The minimum information on a QSL card is:
- Callsign of each station
- Time - usually in UTC
- Date
- Frequency of operation
- Mode of operation
- Signal report, usually using the [RST] code.
QSL Bureaus
- ARRL_in ARRL Incoming QSL Bureau
- ARRL_out ARRL Outgoing QSL Service
- eQSL eQSL serves amateurs internationally, and provides an Authentication Guarantee to help contesters and avoid false QSO claims.
- IARU IARU QSL Bureaus
Sending and receiving QSL's
You will need to familiaraise yourself with the rules and guidelines of your chose Bureau. Some terms that are used by Bureaux are :
SAE
SAE stands for Self Addressed Envelope
This is an envelope with your name and complete mailing address written on it. This is usually sent along with your QSL card to the person you wish to exchange QSL cards directly instead of going through the QSL Bureau.
To help defray the cost of sending the SAE back to you, a Green Stamp or an IRC (International Reply Coupon) is normally enclosed.
If the other person is within your own country, it will be more convenient to use a SASE.
SASE
SASE stands for Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. This is the same as an SAE except that it has a postage stamp of sufficient value for the envelope to be mailed back to the sender.
This method works only if the sender and sendee from withn the same country. You cannot send a SASE with a U.S. stamp to a country outside the U.S.A. as U.S. stamps are not accepted by foreign postal agencies and vice versa.