CULLERA, VALENCIA — While most coastal towns on Spain’s eastern shore bask in sun and sangria, Cullera has become a curious node in a far more esoteric supply chain: the global circulation of QSL cards. At its center sits José F. Ardid Arlandis (EA5KB), a man as known for his expansive QSL manager duties as for his dedication to the shortwave dial.
Not Your Average Ham
From the outside, EA5RKX might look like just another URE section—modest in infrastructure, but strong in spirit. In truth, it operates more like a micro-QSL clearinghouse, confirming contacts for an astonishingly wide portfolio of DX stations from every corner of the globe: from Cuba to Kazakhstan, the Philippines to Patagonia. José is, by many accounts, one of the most prolific QSL managers in Europe.
His stance on eQSL services like QSLWORLD.com and QSL Creator is unambiguous: they go directly to the recycle bin. This is a club that does not shy away from administrative clarity, nor from the rising economics of international ham radio confirmation.
The PayPal Protocol
To offset the escalating costs of postage, printing, and handling, EA5KB has adopted a well-structured, transparent PayPal system for direct QSL requests. Fees vary: €3 for Europe, €4 for the rest of the world. All must be sent as “Friends & Family” transactions to avoid processing fees. There are even strict postal guidelines—only one QSL per envelope, and no IRCs.
This is not stubbornness. It is survival.
In José’s own words, this system is “an aid in benefit of all,” recognizing that many stations he supports operate in regions where postal services are erratic and QSL printing is prohibitively expensive.
Bureaucracy Meets Benevolence
If this sounds like an unlikely mixture of ham radio and logistics consultancy, that’s because it is. Yet it’s also a reminder of something larger: that amateur radio, despite the romanticism of free waves and international goodwill, is deeply tethered to real-world infrastructure. Currency exchange, postal reliability, and digital payment systems are now as essential to DXing as antenna gain and propagation charts.
A Hub with Standards
In an age where many clubs float in social media haze or lapse into dormancy, Cullera's EA5RKX stands out. It is a section of strict standards, global utility, and analogue charm. Whether you're confirming a rare contact from West Africa or exchanging QSLs with South America, chances are your envelope may pass through Cullera.
And if you send two cards in one envelope? Don’t be surprised when one comes back via the bureau.
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