QSL Cards and Confirming Ham Radio Contacts
A QSL card is a written confirmation of a radio contact — a postcard-sized card that confirms the details of a QSO between two stations. QSL cards have been exchanged between amateur radio operators since the earliest days of the hobby, and collecting them from around the world is a tradition that continues today. They are also the traditional evidence required for many operating awards, including DXCC, WAS (Worked All States), and WAC (Worked All Continents).
Required information
A valid QSL card must confirm specific contact details that match the other operator's log. The essential fields are: your callsign, the other station's callsign, the date of the contact (in UTC), the UTC time of the contact, the frequency or band, the mode (SSB, CW, FT8, FM, etc.), and the signal report you gave them. Most printed QSL cards have a standard layout with dedicated fields for each piece of information. The information must match both operators' logs exactly for an award submission to be accepted.
Designing your QSL card
QSL cards are also a form of personal expression — they often feature photographs of the operator's location, shack, antenna, or local scenery. Many operators have custom cards printed that reflect their personality or operating focus. Standard QSL card size is 5.5 x 3.5 inches (approximately A6). Printers specialising in QSL cards include UX5UO Cards, KB3IFH QSL, and various print-on-demand services. Basic black and white cards can be printed inexpensively, while full-colour photographic cards cost more but make a strong impression.
Direct QSL
Sending a QSL card direct means mailing it directly to the other operator's address. You can find most ham operators' mailing addresses through QRZ.com — look up their callsign and check their QSL information. When sending direct internationally, it is standard courtesy to include a self-addressed envelope and return postage — typically one or two IRC (International Reply Coupon) or a small amount of US currency (one or two dollars) to cover the return postage. Without including return postage, you may not receive a reply.
QSL bureau
The QSL bureau system is a lower-cost alternative to direct mailing. The ARRL operates the Outgoing QSL Service (ARRL members only) which batches cards by country and ships them to the corresponding national bureau for local distribution. The incoming bureau receives cards from foreign bureaus and forwards them to you. Bureau cards take longer — often months to over a year — but cost only a few cents per card versus international postage for direct. The bureau is practical for large volumes of cards to common countries but not useful for rare DX where you need the card quickly for an award submission.
| System | Cost | Award Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logbook of the World (LoTW) | Free | ARRL awards — DXCC, WAS, VUCC | Most widely accepted for major awards |
| eQSL.cc | Free / paid premium | Some awards accept eQSL | Large database, not accepted for DXCC |
| ClubLog | Free | ClubLog awards | Excellent for DXCC tracking and DXpedition logs |
| OQRS | Free | Card request system | Online QSL Request System — used by DXpeditions |
| QRZ Logbook | Free / paid | QRZ awards | Integrated with QRZ.com profiles |
Do I have to exchange QSL cards?
No — QSL card exchange is entirely voluntary. FCC Part 97 does not require operators to confirm contacts. However, if you want to apply for operating awards that require confirmed contacts — DXCC, WAS, WAC — you will need some form of confirmation, either a paper QSL card or an electronic confirmation through LoTW or another accepted system.
What is OQRS and how does it work?
OQRS stands for Online QSL Request System. It is used by many DXpeditions and active DX operators to manage QSL requests online rather than handling direct mail. You visit the operator's OQRS page (often linked from their QRZ listing), enter your contact details, and request a card. You typically pay a small fee via PayPal to cover printing and postage costs. OQRS is the most efficient way to request QSL cards from major DXpeditions.
How long should I keep my QSL cards?
For award purposes, keep any card that you have submitted or might submit for award credit indefinitely. Award bureaus may request to inspect original cards for major endorsements. For routine domestic contacts, storage space and personal preference dictate how long you keep them — many operators display favourite cards in frames or albums and store the rest in boxes sorted by entity or callsign prefix.
What is a via address on a QSL card?
Some operators, particularly DX operators or those on DXpeditions, list a via address — typically a QSL manager's callsign — on their QRZ page or as part of their callsign listing. The QSL manager handles card requests on their behalf, often because the operator's home country has unreliable postal service or because the manager is better equipped to handle the volume of requests. Send QSL requests to the manager, not directly to the DX station.