RSGB in the UK outsource their QSL Bureau to the DARC in Germany - Jan 2026

In January of 2026, the RSGB in the UK announced that they were outsourcing their QSL Bureau  to the DARC in Germany.

The RSGB write... "We are pleased to announce the next stage in developing our QSL Bureau Services.

After a comprehensive review of long-term options, the RSGB entered into a formal Contractual Agreement with Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, to process all incoming and outgoing RSGB QSL cards.

This partnership will provide a robust and effective QSL bureau service for RSGB members. Volunteers remain central to the RSGB QSL Bureau Service and the RSGB extends its thanks to all sub-managers, whose dedication forms the backbone of the service."

As can be seen from the photo above, the DARC QSL bureau in Germany is quite complex and is automated in parts.

They already provide QSL services for the SSA in Sweden, the OEVSV in Austria and USKA in Switzerland amongst others.

I'd imagine that the considerable influx of cards from the UK will contribute to the economies of scale of the operation and it may well attract the QSL bureaus of other countries in the future.

The e-confirmation of contacts via Logbook of the World (LOTW) has probably led to a big drop in QSL cards so the addition of new customers like the RSGB probably helps quite a bit.

This video from the DARC gives an idea of how the DARC QSL bureau works...

Links...

1) RSGB - https://rsgb.org/main/operating/qsl-bureau/

2) DARC QSL Service - https://qslshop.de/