[CQ-Contest] QSL from DARC

[Rich K2WR]

Yuri

Well, I can answer this one without being German.  The rules regarding incoming and outgoing QSL bureaus are different in each country.

For example, in the U.S and the U.K., anyone can use the incoming bureaus (by sending money for credits or s.a.s.e.'s, depending), but you have to be a national society member to use the outgoing bureau.  In Germany and France, you have to be a member to use either.  However, anyone can send cards directly to an incoming bureau.  So it's perfectly possible for a DL ham who is not a member of DARC to send his cards for you (along with cards for others) directly to the VE3 bureau (or to the W2 bureau under your U.S. call).  They will be handled by the bureau and sent to you.  The only cards rejected by U.S. incoming bureaus (if they follow the ARRL's rules) should be domestic-domestic cards (i.e. cards from U.S. hams addressed to other U.S. hams, and even those will be handled if one party was portable in another DX entity or is serving as QSL manager for a DX station).

However, any DL or F ham who does this should realize that you can't send them return cards through the bureau if they're not members, so it is still a bit puzzling.  Perhaps there's some issue from time to time about membership renewal on their end?

73, Rich K2WR
ARRL incoming W2 QSL bureau volunteer