so i just got my general license about two months ago and ive been making contacts pretty regularly now, mostly on 40m and some 20m. everyone keeps mentioning LoTW and eQSL and i honestly dont really understand the difference or if i need both or just one or what. like my logging software (using WSJT-X and log4om) apparently can upload to both but i havent set any of that up yet.

also a few people have sent me actual paper QSL cards through the bureau and i have no idea how to respond to those or even how the bureau system works. do i need to sign up somewhere for that? i joined ARRL when i got my license but i dont think i did anything with QSL stuff specifically.

i guess my main question is — for awards like DXCC or WAS, does it matter which confirmation method you use? or do you need LoTW specifically for those? sorry if this is a really basic question, ive been trying to search around but i get different answers everywhere

not a basic question at all, its actually kind of a mess when you first look at it lol. ok so the short version: LoTW is run by ARRL and is what you absolutely need if you want credit toward DXCC or WAS through ARRL. eQSL is a completely separate system, its fine and a lot of people use it, but ARRL doesnt accept eQSL confirmations for their major awards. so if DXCC is on your radar eventually, focus on getting LoTW sorted first.

for paper cards through the bureau — yes you need to be signed up as an ARRL member to use the incoming bureau, which it sounds like you already are. you just go to the ARRL website and register your callsign with the bureau. when cards come in for you they hold them and send them in batches a few times a year. to send outgoing cards through the bureau you buy some cards from a printer (or design your own, lots of people do), fill them out and mail them to the outgoing bureau for your district.

honestly for everyday contacts these days most people just do LoTW and call it done. but some ops — especially older guys or DX stations — really appreciate a physical card, so its worth having some made eventually. not urgent though, get the digital stuff working first.

yeah what he said about LoTW being the one that counts for DXCC. i chased that award for years and basically every serious DXpedition uploads to LoTW pretty quickly after they get home. some of the rarer ones take a while but they get there.

one thing i'd add — setting up LoTW the first time is kind of a pain because of the certificate process, you have to request a certificate from ARRL and they mail a postcard to your address on file with the FCC to verify you. just takes a few days but people get tripped up if their FCC address is out of date. just something to be aware of before you start.