QSL Cards

Updated: 15 Sept 2014

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Introduction

The NZART QSL Bureau is one of a network of approximately 185 bureaux established by the IARU to facilitate the exchange of QSL cards between NZART members and radio amateurs and listeners throughout the world.

Outward QSL cards 

The service is free to both transmitting and non–transmitting members of NZART — non–members may make use of this service at a cost of 25c per card. All QSL cards for forwarding to radio amateurs and listeners in New Zealand and overseas countries should be posted to:

The QSL Manager
NZART QSL Bureau
PO Box 857
Wanganui Mail Centre
WANGANUI 4541

E-mail: zl2atu@xtra.co.nz

The call–sign of the station to whom the card is addressed should be printed clearly on both sides of each card. Are you sending your card to a DX–station’s Manager? If so, please write the Manager’s call on the back of the cards. (Cards are sorted using the call printed on the back of the card.) If you see fit not to write the recipients’ call–signs on the back of your cards, it is pointless to carry out the last instruction–we are not clairvoyants! When writing call–signs onto your cards, please take care with the forming of the letters and numbers. Make sure that the letter V will read V, not U, an “S” looks like an ess and not the figure “5” and vice versa, etc. This will greatly help the Bureau staff in their sorting! Remember also that English is not the first language of everybody handing and receiving your cards!

Please sort your QSL cards into Call District Areas for New Zealand (i.e. ZL1-ZL2-ZL3-ZL4, etc) as well as those for the USA Mainland and all others in alphabetical order:

e.g. A3, EA, F, G/M, JA, OK, S5, SM, RA/UA, UN, UR, VK, W1-W2-W3, etc (USA Mainland prefixes are kept together-A-K-N-W1 cards all go to their First District Bureau; likewise all A-K-N-W2 cards go to the Second District Bureau and so on), AH6/7 to WH6/7, AL7 to WL7, VU, ZL1-ZL2-ZL3-ZL4, 3D, 5W, 9A etc.

Please do not separate countries with rubber bands, strips of paper etc.

Members must enclose a current year Break–In label with each posting. After complying with the above, sit back and be patient!

Inward QSL cards 

The NZART QSL Bureau provides a free inward service for all New Zealand amateurs and listeners.

Collecting cards from the sub–bureaux by members and non–members

Please note that the four New Zealand sub–bureaux are arranged to cover the four mainland prefixes. A ZL1 living anywhere in New Zealand deals with the ZL1 sub–bureau, ZL2s likewise with the ZL2 sub–bureau. and so on through to the ZL4s. Supply your particular QSL sub–bureau with a supply of suitable size self–addressed stamped envelopes (SASE’s) to receive your incoming cards. Envelopes should be numbered and “Last Envelope” marked on one so that you are reminded when to renew the supply. Please make sure that you include your call–sign on the front of your envelopes as each sub bureau only deals with call–signs and not with operators’ names. Any specific requests for forwarding cards should be printed on the back of the envelopes: for example “send monthly” or “send when there are 10 cards” etc.

Link to: QSL sub–bureau Managers

Some Branches have special arrangements for “Branch postings” in place with the appropriate sub–manager. Contact your local Branch secretary for information. (The possible provision of this service is totally the prerogative of each individual sub–manager and there is no compulsion on any person to be a party to any such collective scheme.)

Your QSL Card 

1. Should not exceed 140 × 90mm in size.
2. Have all the necessary information on one side of the card–if you intend having a two–sided card, make sure your call–sign is printed on both sides.
3. Use Universal Coordinated lime (UTC) (formerly referred to as GMT, also referred to as Zulu time)–New Zealand Standard time (NZST) or New Zealand Daylight Saving Time (NZDT) is meaningless to 99.9 per cent of amateurs–and you do want a card back from them!
4. It is advisable to write out the name of the month to avoid confusion.
5. Do not correct mistakes–make out a new card. Altered cards are valueless to the recipient Any further information concerning the business of the QSL Bureau, or requests for info on DX station QSL Managers/direct mall addresses (we will do our best to assist!) can be obtained from the:

The QSL Manager 
NZART QSL Bureau
PO Box 857
Wanganui Mail Centre
WANGANUI 4541

E-mail: zl2atu@xtra.co.nz

Special calls and DXpedition's 

If you, or your Branch, put on a special event/contest station using a special call–sign allocation for the duration thereof, or partake in a DXpedition, please notify the QSL Bureau Manager and supply him with the relevant QSL Manager info!