So i've been licensed about 8 months now and i'm starting to get into chasing awards and stuff and honestly the whole QSL confirmation world is kind of overwhelming. Like there's LoTW which seems like the main one everyone talks about, then theres eQSL, and then actual physical cards which i think look really cool but seem like a hassle? My elmer told me to just upload to LoTW and call it a day but i keep seeing people mention eQSL too and i dont really understand if contacts confirmed there count for ARRL awards or what.

Also the physical card thing — do people still actually send and receive those by mail? I got one in the mail last week from a station in Japan which was awesome but i have no idea how you're supposed to respond or if i need to send one back. Do i need a QSL manager or something? I feel like there's a whole system here that nobody explained to me. Any help would be appreciated, sorry if this is a basic question.

Not a basic question at all, it took me a while to figure this out too when i first got licensed. Ok so here's the deal as i understand it — LoTW is run by the ARRL and it's really the gold standard for awards like DXCC and WAS. Contacts confirmed there definitely count. eQSL is a separate system, it's not affiliated with ARRL, and last i checked those confirmations don't count toward DXCC but they do count for some other awards like the eQSL ones obviously. Some people use both, some just do LoTW.

Physical cards are still very much a thing and honestly a lot of the old timers really appreciate getting them. If someone sends you a card through the mail, yeah it's considered good practice to send one back. You don't need a QSL manager unless you're getting a huge volume of requests or operating a special event station or something like that. For most folks you just design a card (there are printers that specialize in ham radio QSL cards), keep a stack, and mail them out when you get requests. Some people write directly and some go through their bureau — the ARRL has a QSL bureau service for members which is way cheaper than mailing direct internationally.

Honestly my suggestion is set up LoTW first since that's where the awards are, then decide if you wanna do the others. The TQSL software is a bit clunky but you'll get used to it.

yeah i was in the same boat not long ago. one thing i'll add is that uploading to LoTW after every session becomes pretty routine once you get the hang of TQSL, i basically just do it at the end of every operating night. the certificate setup process is the annoying part but you only do that once.

the physical cards are kind of a joy though honestly. i wasnt expecting to care about them but when a nice card shows up from somewhere far away it's just satisfying in a way a digital confirmation isnt. i ordered cards from a place called UX5UO which a lot of people use, pretty affordable. and yeah just send one back when you get one, no big deal. most people just appreciate the gesture.