So ive been licensed about 8 months now and honestly the whole QSL confirmation thing is kind of overwhelming. Like i understand the basic concept, you worked someone, you want proof of it, great. But then theres LoTW which the ARRL runs, and eQSL which is totally separate, and then actual physical cards in the mail, and some people seem really passionate about one over the other and i just dont know where to even start.

Right now i have maybe 60 or 70 contacts logged in WSJT-X and i synced them to QRZ logbook but i havent done anything with LoTW yet because the whole TQSL certificate thing looked confusing and i kept putting it off. Someone at my local club mentioned eQSL is easier to set up but then someone else said the awards programs dont count eQSL confirmations so now im second guessing everything.

Do most people just do all three? Is it worth printing actual paper cards? I kind of like the idea of getting physical cards in the mail but i also dont want to spend a ton on printing if nobody sends them back. Any advice from people who have been doing this a while would be really helpful.

Okay so the LoTW thing is definitely worth the hassle of setting up even though yeah the certificate process is annoying the first time. Once you get through it though it basically runs itself, you just upload your ADIF from WSJT-X every now and then and it matches up automatically when the other station uploads too. For FT8 contacts especially it works really well because a lot of those operators are already on LoTW.

eQSL i have set up too and i do use it but you're right that most of the big awards like DXCC wont count it. Its fine for just having a record and some people really like the digital card artwork. I wouldnt skip it but id definitely prioritize getting LoTW working first if DXCC or WAS is something you're interested in eventually.

As for paper cards, honestly it depends on the person. I still love getting them in the mail, theres something about holding a card from like a station in the Azores that just feels different than clicking confirm on a website. But the cost adds up if youre requesting cards via the bureau or direct. I'd maybe wait until you have some contacts that really mean something to you before going that route.

same situation as you were a while back lol. i finally just sat down one afternoon and did the LoTW setup following a youtube video step by step and it wasnt as bad as i thought, took maybe an hour including waiting for the email confirmation from ARRL. once its done its done. eQSL took like 10 minutes so i did that too just because why not.

havent sent any paper cards yet but ive recieved a few from people i worked during a contest and they are pretty cool to have on the desk ngl