The bureau allows members and other Amateurs, worldwide, to exchange QSL cards, in an extremely cost effective way.

Cards arriving at the bureau are initially separated into UK and Foreign destinations .
Overseas cards are sent in bulk to other bureaus, most of which are operated by member societies of the IARU, International Amateur Radio Union. Cards for stations within the UK, are sorted into callsign groups, each of which is operated by a volunteer sub manager.

The sub manager periodically receives cards from the main bureau and puts them into stamped addressed envelopes, received from UK Amateurs.

Whilst, sending cards, for that much prized contact will always be quicker by direct mail, “ “QSL via RSGB “ is the cheapest option.

Many national societies make charges for using their service , some at flat rates and others according to volume.

RSGB members, send and receive cards, without additional charges.
Non members, may receive but not send cards, via the network of sub managers.

Overseas members, where there is no QSL service, provided by their IARU member society may send cards to the RSGB QSL bureau for distribution.
Overseas Non members, may send cards addressed to UK stations only, direct to the bureau.

The bureau handles approximately 1.5 million cards per year and is one of the busiest in the world. Before QSLing, please ask yourself , do I need to send a card for every contact?
The Society has a policy of discouraging the sending of cards, when they are not wanted. If your special event station or DXpedition practices 100% QSL , this could prove wasteful of both time and effort.

Transporting large volumes of cards between bureaus, only to have them ultimately destroyed or remain uncollected, is both costly to members and not eco friendly.

Receiving a nice card, for a memorable contact is always a thrill, not matched by an electronic confirmation , via the internet. However, do consider using, ” Logbook of the World” for some contacts, contest logging and award purposes .
Sending cards via the system is easy and an work well for everyone , if a few simple steps are followed.

Sending cards via the Bureau.
Cards from members for both UK and worldwide, suitably packed, should be sent to the main UK bureau address.
RSGB QSL Bureau P.O. Box 5 Halifax. England. HX1 9JR.

Members ,Clubs or DX groups wishing to send large, or heavy packages to the bureau via carriers, other than Royal Mail (e.g. Parcel Force. TNT, CityLink etc) and having first extracted the Top Ten destinations for direct post to other IARU bureaus , should contact the bureau for an alternative delivery address.
Each batch of cards must contain
Proof of current membership. – see note 1.

Special event stations (GB & MB) and Abbreviated- Contest calls, must include details of the NOV (notice of Variation) license holder, for contact purposes, in case of query.

Note 1 -This is achieved by enclosing an original RadCom address label and membership number - not more than 3 months old.

QSL Managers and clubs sending a bulk despatch to the bureau, must ensure that all operators, for whom they send cards are current members of RSGB and provide evidence on request.

Members who operate from another station, typically a foreign club call, or that of an individual overseas Amateur, may send cards for contacts made from that station , provided that they clearly identify themselves as the operator and state their UK call sign and membership.

Listener report QSL’s should contain sufficient information to be of genuine value to the transmitting Amateurs. Reception reports relating to broadcasting stations cannot be accepted.
All cards must be pre sorted into alphabetic and numerical order country order, where possible keeping countries with more than one prefix together.

For example: JA and 7J cards, destined for Japan or F & TM , destined for France, should be together.

Cards for the USA , should be sorted into call area, (numbers) regardless of the prefix.
UK cards, 2, G, & M series should be sorted separately and placed at the front of the pile , to speed initial sorting.
Paper or card dividers to separate countries, or call groups are not necessary.

Cards sent in date or logbook order and those with small print or hand written call signs take much longer to process and this inevitable causes delay.

All cards should be of standard postcard size (140 x 90mm) and weight, for easy processing. Large or unusual shaped cards are difficult to process, become easily damaged when packed , or folded with others. Thin, small or underweight cards are difficult to handle and stick to other cards. Non standard cards, require additional sorting time.

To speed processing, the addresee’s call sign should be printed clearly on both sides of the card. When written on the reverse of a single side print card, this should always be, top right hand side.

If a QSL Manager is known, that should be included. Using a different coloured ink for this purpose speeds sorting.
Cards of a Landscape, rather than Portrait design are greatly preferred.
When using printed labels the destination call signs must be a minimum of point 12 print size, in a common font such as, Aerial or Times New Roman.

Cards with callsigns of a size less than point 12 may be rejected.
Multiple page cards are not encouraged, as they increase the Society’s workload and overheads.
Such cards, in volume, significantly reduce the numbers of individual cards per consignment, to overseas destinations. Therefore, in the interest of fairness, to other members, they are sometimes spread over several shipments. If multiple page cards are used, they must be pre folded, to clearly show the destination call sign.

An increasing number of station ,DXpeditions  and more rare   call signs only QSL Direct,  and some not at all.  Outgoing cards with no clear via indication  are  very often delayed  whilst we  search the internet  looking for the correct routing.  To avoid delays  and  returns , record the QSL info at the time of the contact, check out ,www.QRZ.com  or  try a web search for the call sign first.   Many hundreds of bureau man hours are currently  taken up  searching for  QSL details , on behalf of members, which could otherwise , easily be avoided.
The bureau system is for the exchange of QSL cards only.
Envelopes containing,
Letters, photographs, stamped addressed envelopes, awards, certificates, IRC’s and other items , will not be processed and should be sent by other means.
Heavy users
Those sending more than a few thousand cards per year, should to send their largest volumes of cards, directly to the top 10 countries contacted and the remaining balance via the normal system.
The aim being, to share some of the burden of cost, without penalizing ordinary members, who may only occasionally send a few more cards than normal . The bureau weighs and notes large consignments . Members will be asked to consider themselves as, heavy users when they reach the (flexible) limit
The IARU bureau list can be found at : http://www.iaru.org/iaruqsl.html
Packing and posting your cards
Every week the bureau receives many damaged envelopes and packages from both UK and foreign Amateurs.
It also receives a significantly high number of requests, from Royal Mail. for payment of additional postage, which are always rejected.
Having pre sorted your UK destination cards from the rest of the world you are ready to pack , here are some tips :
Do not send loose cards in lightweight or thin envelopes , as these will often cut through the edge of the envelope in transit, as they move about .
Always print return address details on your package, in case it arrives damaged.
Secure batches of cards with a rubber band or preferredly or a bank note style band of thin paper strip, folded around the card.
Don’t place two or more packs of cards side by side in a C5 , A4 or larger envelope as the package will fold in transit and split down the middle, allowing the cards to spill out.
Using lightweight “Mail-Lite” style padded bags or Post-Pack envelopes usually avoids this problem.
Check the size and weight of your envelopes and packages, before putting stamps on them.
The current weight limit for a, First Class stamp is 100gramms, but the package size is limited to 240mm x 165mm and the package must fit through a postal slot not more than 5mm in height.
A, “Large Letter” stamp costs slightly more and covers the same weight limit but notably allows the package height to be 25mm and can be much more cost effective.
The Post Office can also supply a paper/card copy of the pricing slot guide, for a small charge. Frequent users may like to obtain a, Helix HP5 Pricing in Proportion Ruler , which has postal slots built in. ( – see pic . )

Receiving Cards from the Bureau.
Sorted UK cards are sent to the appropriate sub manager for distribution, see list .
RSGB is extremely fortunate to have more than 80 dedicated, volunteer sub managers, some of many years standing, giving of their time to support the work of the bureau and in the service of their fellow Amateurs.
As this can be subject to change, according to personal circumstance is it sometimes a good idea to check the RSGB website QSL section –members area, from time to time, for latest information.
The system relies upon those wishing to receive cards depositing Stamped Addressed Envelopes with sub managers, ready for despatch when full. The scheme is open to all UK Amateurs and Listeners .
Envelopes need to be: C5 size (160mm x 230mm) and of strong material.
Callsign or Listener number should be printed at the top Left Hand Corner.
Print the name, delivery address and postcode , clearly as normal.
Number each envelope sent to the manage e.g.   1of 6,  2 of 6, 3 of 6 etc   r and also mark one of them, ”Last” so that you know when to send a fresh batch
Envelopes are not normally sent until the full weight , for the postage stamp, or stamps has been reached . First Class being typically 10-12 cards according to weight.
To receive cards sooner, say 6 cards , write “Wait 6” next to the envelope number.
Cards for Amateurs who have not sent envelopes may be destroyed, at the sub managers discretion, after a period of 3 months.
All UK Amateurs who do not wish to collect cards are asked to notify the appropriate sub manager .
Stations changing their callsign, as a result of a licence upgrade etc, should maintain envelopes with both new and old sub group managers, rather than request a via route. Typically, envelopes for the old call sign may need to be available for up to 5 years, after the old call is no longer in use.
Always use stamps worded First or Second Class, as these will be honoured , even if the postal rate changes.
Stations operating from a different prefix, for example G9ABC as GW9ABC, or GU9ABC/P. must lodge envelopes with the appropriate sub managers for every area of operation, as cards will not automatically be forwarded to the home call.
UK mainland stamps are not valid when sent from the Isle of Man or Channel Islands and should obtained during the period of operation, for use later.
When operating outside the UK, under CEPT rules e.g. F/G9ABC, or more importantly with another call sign, it is vitally important to tell the QSO partner to QSL, via “G9ABC” and not simply state via “home call” as this consumes much bureau time , tracking down the correct destination , often without result.
Registering a foreign call separately , together with the QSL route and contact email address at, QRZ.com is extremely helpful in these case.

Requesting a, “ Via” call route:
In recent years there has been an explosion in the use of, via requests, whereby Amateurs use a QSL manager, or wish to have cards sent to another callsign.
Advising contacts to send cards via the personal callsign of the volunteer sub manager is not appropriate, as the sub manager may change or may not be in the same sub group.
In many instances the incoming card does not contain the via information , given during the radio contact . The expectation being that the bureau sorters will instinctively know the routing, having previously seen other cards, carrying similar information. With so many cards passing through the bureau each week, this cannot be guaranteed. Confirming the routing is a time consuming process and no longer a realistic or reliable option.
This problem can be largely avoided by lodging SAE’s with the home call sub manager, bearing an alternative delivery address, i.e the stations QSL manager. This should be considered as a more simple solution and preferable to giving out qsl manager or via details.
Example: “G9ABC , QSL via M8ZZZ” can be replaced by sending all cards to G9ABC’s sub manager, who holds envelopes marked with the street address for M8ZZZ.
In the case of, Special Event (GB & MB calls), together with all Abbreviated Contest calls, (single letter calls) no via’s are accepted. All bureau cards, for these groups, are sent directly to the dedicated sub managers.
GB and Contest Call sub managers will only send cards to the licence holder, unless an authorised alternative destination is confirmed in writing, by the callsign holder.