I wrote this below, and what I meant was that :
If you send a QSL to manager, there should not be
any need to read the K4VUD statement. You have
to trust that the QSL-manager is not completely
stupid! Also, I want to add that mail theft is really
not as usual as many think - I have mailed hundreds
of cards direct to Russia (just an example) and
nobody has told me that the letter has not been
received!
Now I will get out of this "never to end" discussion,
all the best and 73/DX de Osten SM5DQC
First comment to the K4VUD statement:
That was the most complicated statement I have ever
seen regarding QSL'ing... I get around 10 - 20 cards
for 9Q1EK and 9Q1TB every day - if anything is wrong,
like USA missing on the envelope which happens
often, I just add it. Cards go out same day as received
if I'm not as busy as today getting my new 160 meter
antenna up. As QSL-managers we have to do the best
we can, reading the K4VUD statement every time you
send a QSL out, should not really be needed - maybe
for those managers that are un-experienced and should
not be managers! Maybe it helps that I'm retired and
have been working DX since 1962.
Anyway, the strange feeling about LoTW by Mr. Harpole
made me upload the 9Q1EK and 9Q1TB logs to LoTW
today. 9Q1EK and 9Q1TB are now the only licensed
amateurs in D.R. Congo. 9Q1D has retired to Sweden,
and 9Q1NT to Belgium.
73/DX de Osten SM5DQC [EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles Harpole" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <dx-chat@njdxa.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:18 AM
Subject: [DX-CHAT] A How to QSL statement--final version
SUCCESSFUL QSLing
de HS0ZCW
Steps in sending a direct QSL to a DX station:
1. Obtain correct address via qrz.com or use the GO List for QSL manager
addresses, or search the Web via Google.
2. Consult the DX station’s web site or web information for special
instructions (such as “direct only,” “no IRC,” or whatever).
3. Send via Air Mail. If you know the DX station has postal theft problems,
send via Registered Mail (or via FedEx if you are really desperate—one good
FedEx is better than three lost Air Mails).
4. Write your own QSL card clearly in permanent black ink.
5. Use UTC/GMT times and dates only. Be sure to label which number is the
date and which number is the month and year (for example, is 9/2/03-- Sept.
2, 2003 or is it Feb. 9, 2003 or maybe March 2, 1999 or Feb. 3, 2003?).
6. Clearly mark if your contact was a QSO or if you are a SWL.
7. Be sure your own call sign is printed clearly ON THE SAME SIDE OF YOUR
CARD as the contact information (YOUR CALL SIGN ALONG WITH time, date, band,
mode, etc.).
8. Use very clear type face for your printed call sign. No Old English
type; no cute curlicues, etc. Put a slash in all zeros. Be sure your
number one, your I and your lower case l (L) are clearly different (note
problems with 1, I and l, can you tell the difference?). Oh and Zero and V
and U are problems. Use upper case block letters only.
9. If you are THANKING receipt of a QSL, mark that clearly or you will get a
second card and will waste time and money.
10. Always enclose a self-addressed return envelope (sae) that has:
a. Your complete address, printed CLEARLY, and include your
country (not everyone knows AK is in the USA !).
b. Do not affix postage to this envelop* unless you are absolutely sure the
DX guy can use it at his point of mailing. (I get USA postage affixed, but
I want to mail it from Thailand… duh!)
c. Try to avoid folding your sae; use nesting envelops. If you just must
fold the sae, never fold it exactly in half !
d. Use press-on/self-stick envelops and fold the flap open--that is, back
over the address side so that the envelop is fully open. OR, if you use
wet-to-seal glue envelops, which are stronger, be aware that these may
self-seal in humid environments. ALWAYS fold wet-to-seal envelops open to
avoid self-sealing.
e. Place the non-info side of your card against the sticky part of your sae
or place the green stamp against the sticky part of your sae.
f. Do not put anything inside your sae.
g. Write your call sign on the sae where that writing will be covered when
the sae is sealed by the DX operator—in the place where the glue will stick.
This allows finding your envelop and your card when the two have been
accidentally separated.
h. Because almost all mail today is air mail, use pre-printed air mail
envelops or print “air mail” on your sae.
i. Envelops that are pre-printed with “return postage paid” are GREAT !
11. The outer envelop:
a. Do not seal your outer envelop so that a finger can not get into the
flap to open it.
b. Use “security envelop” which has colored printing inside to retard seeing
through the outer envelop.
c. You can not configure your envelop to stop postal theft so just use
normal sealing methods and skip inserting extra paper hoping to stop postal
people seeing through your envelop. Super sealing jobs invite attention of
postal thieves.
d. Do not write any ham radio information, like call signs, on the outside
of your envelops. Use non-smear permanent ink.
e. Use post office frank for postage. If you affix real stamps, you invite
theft of the whole envelope and contents so that the thief can steal the
stamps.
12. Also enclose:
a. USA currency ($1 is almost enough these days, $2 is better, more
if you feel generous)**.
b. Try to avoid IRCs because of problems cashing them in**.
c. *Loose postage for the DX operator’s country, if you want to do an extra
favor.
d. Do NOT fold the currency bills EXACTLY in half.
e. If you send no sae, no currency, nor stamps, expect a card back via the
buro, if you get one at all.
f. **If you are sure that the DX operator’s country forbids its citizens
from having USD, it is best to include postage for that country or, in last
resort, use IRCs. Use only USA Dollars, not other country’s currencies.
13.Note that
a. Some operators like to get a separate card for each contact, and it
is best to QSL in this way.
b. If you send cards for more than one call sign (generally, not a good
practice), be sure to increase your donation for return postage due to
increased effort and cost.
c. The best envelopes are made of Tyvek which is very water resistant,
almost impossible to tear or puncture, but can be cut easily with a knife
for opening. Write on Tyvek only with permanent markers to avoid wet
smears. Tyvek does not take sticky labels well and needs extra long runs of
good tape.
14.Look at the mail you have prepared and mentally try to use what you
have created. That is, put yourself in the recipient’s place and test
your methods.
**Do not expect a return card just because you sent money. Any money you
send is a free gift. If you think otherwise, then you are purchasing a QSL
card which is contrary to the ham spirit.
Do not send a second request until 6 months have passed since the first
request. Mark your second request with “second request.”
Do not email the DX operator to inquire about your QSL or your contact until
a year has past.
Be sure you have envelops on file with your buro.
Look at http://www.ac6v.com/qsltips.htm, too.
Enjoy old fashioned paper… it is so personal and fun !
A note about postal theft: Thieves who steal mail on a regular basis seek
envelopes that form a pattern: (a) many similar ones to the same address,
(b) thickness more than 1 paper sheet, and (c) from rich countries. Thieves
doing this regularly can not be stopped by inserted carbon paper, valuables
hidden inside inner envelopes, or other “tricks” because they simply open
ALL envelopes fitting the pattern, take the valuables, and destroy the rest
(thus destroying the evidence of their theft). Some thieves steal only for
rare or odd stamps. Ham radio QSL mail makes a very easily identifiable
pattern that simply can not be defeated by the usual tricks, so skip the
tricks. Instead, try Registered Mail or, if desperate, use FedEx, UPS, or
DHL. Even if you disguise your mail to look like an advertisement or
typewritten official mail, the determined regular thieves may well steal
EVERYTHING to an address known to get QSLs.
WHAT SHOULD BE PRINTED ON A GOOD QSL CARD?
Front of Card:
1. The call sign in clear type face (see #8 above).
2. The DXCC entity as given in DXCC list, not just the name of a country***.
3. ITU zone number
4. CQ Magazine zone number
5. Grid locator
6. Notation if this is an island (and IOTA number if possible).
7. If USA, give county
8. Latitude and longitude of the station location.
9. Operator name and address*** or qrz.com notation.
On the front or rear of the card, this info needs to be added:
10. PSE or TNX QSL marked.
11. Use the standard info box with the info stated in this order, left to
right or on two lines:
a. Confirming QSO with
b. Day
c. Month
d. Year
e. Time in UTC or GMT only
f. Frequency or Band (band is all DXCC wants, but lots of ops like to state
the exact operating frequency in MHz—I like to put a freq that implies
either SSB, CW, or RTTY; for example, I use 14.2 for 20meter SSB and 14.0
for 20meter CW contacts as a second indicator of the mode.
g. RS(T)
h. 2-Way Mode.
11. If a computer printed label is used, try to format the label with these
same words and order of the information.
12. Sign the card with your name or initials. For labels, make the strokes
of your pen signature touch a part of your label or use a uniquely shaped
rubber stamp stating “Verified by <your call sign>” that touches part of the
label.
13. Repeat your call sign on both sides of a double sided card.
14. If you must use information formats that allow marking a choice of band
and mode, circle the correct band and mode words rather than marking out
what does not apply. Be clear!
15. If you have more than one call sign on your card, clearly mark which
call sign applies to this specific contact.
16. ***If your card is for a DXCC entity that is a different country from
the mailing address, be sure to clearly state the DXCC entity for which this
card applies.
17. The most appealing art on a QSL is, first, an operator photo; second,
something personal and unique about the operator (family photo, pet, other
hobby, etc.) and otherwise pictures of unique local items. A QTH locator
map is a nice touch. I have seen rigs and antennas before—omit if not
really unique. Pose your face turned toward the camera in front of your rig
or stand by your antenna to get it all in one photo.
Charles Harpole
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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