Fellow hams, I'm wrestling with QSL strategy in 2024. Postage costs keep rising, especially international, but I still love getting those colorful paper cards in the mail. Currently doing LoTW for awards and eQSL for quick confirmations.

For those of you still doing paper cards: Are you being more selective about which contacts you QSL? Using the bureau more? I'm spending about $150/year on direct QSL postage and wondering if it's still worth it when digital systems give instant confirmation.

Nothing beats getting a real paper card through the post, even with rising costs and bureau closures. I'm more selective now - paper for special contacts and DX, digital for everything else. The bureau saves money but takes forever.

I switched to mostly digital last year and don't regret it. LoTW counts for ARRL awards and is much cheaper than mailing cards. Still send paper for first-time contacts with rare DX though - some ops only QSL on paper.

Even with digital systems, lots of operators still like getting real physical cards - there's something about holding one in your hand. I do both - immediate gratification with LoTW/eQSL, then paper cards for the special ones I want to display.