Hi, Peter... thanks for the very detailed and informative message... that stuff is good to know and keep in mind.
One question.... you wrote: "Comments have also been made about the LoTW. Unfortunately, until LoTW is able to be accepted and accessed at no cost by Awards Managers outside of the U.S.A., the requirement of hard copy qsl cards will remain a necessity." What are the costs for a manager outside the US to accept and access LOTW? Does the ARRL make you pay to use LOTW? 73, Jerry K3BZ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Forbes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 2:55 AM Subject: [DX-CHAT] Australian QSL costs - some clarifications from VK3QI > Australian Postage Charges for QSLS > > > > There has been a recent discussion thread about the cost of postage to > various areas of the world. Currently the following applies: > > > > (1) A SINGLE card (not folded type) sealed in an envelope and stamped CARD > ONLY costs A$1.10 airmail to anywhere in the world. > > > > (2) More than one card sealed in an envelope to Pacific rim countries and > Pacific Islands (except KH6 and South American Pacific Islands) costs > A$1.20, Airmail for up to 50 grams weight. > > > > (3) More than one card sealed in an envelope to Rest of World costs A$1.80 > Airmail for up to 50 grams weight. > > > > There is NO Economy or Surface Rates on Letters available. > > > > If the weight exceeds 50 grams and up to 125 grams the cost doubles for (2) > and (3), that is A$2.40 and A$3.60 respectively. > > > > Typically the 50 grams weight limit means between 10 and 15 cards maximum, > depending on board weight and whether cards are folded and/or use stick-on > labels. > > > > Exchange Rates > > > > 1 US Green Stamp is approximately A$1.30 after exchange charges are > included. > > > > 1 IRC will generate stamps to the value of up to A$1.80 postage. > > > > Card Costs > > > > Generally an envelope is about 10 cents. > > QSL cards vary from around 10 cents to 25 cents, depending on quality and > production run numbers. > > > > Buro Membership in Australia > > > > The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) as the official IARU buro for VK, > does provide pickup points (at cost to the non-member), however membership > of the WIA is not compulsory (and legally could not be made so in this > country). A manager who chooses not to collect inwards cards from the buro, > is quite within their rights to do so. > > Note that the WIA also has NO obligation to return unclaimed cards to the > originating buro. (see IARU website and minutes regarding this matter) > > > > The Original Post > > If you read the original post from Art RX9TX, you will note that there was a > reference to a "Package" of cards. The particular qsl manager is not > identified. > > > > If in fact, there were multiple requests and cards sufficient to put the > combined weight greater than 50 grams, then the actual cost could well have > exceeded A$ 4.00 in postage (A$3.60 and cards at 10 to 25 cents each). > > > > This would equate to between 3 and 4 green stamps or 2 IRCs, the amount > that the manager was indeed requesting. > > > > > > Our Position VI3JPI, VI5WCP, VI5BR and VI5PN > > > > Over the last 3 years, our IOTA group has activated the above calls and over > 25,000 qsos. All members of the team are WIA members and we readily accept > cards via the Buro or Direct. > > > > Interestingly, the typical direct request now contains either 1 IRC, 1 IRC > &1 Green Stamp, 2 Green Stamps or an International Business Reply Envelope > (especially from JA). > > > > However, a significant number do not include an SASE or postage. > Fortunately, due to the generous nature of many fellow countrymen from > around the world, there has been sufficient surplus to allow us to reply to > these requests directly. > > > > In the case of buro cards received and replied to, the average time of > arrival in our hands is between 12 and 15 months and in most cases the buro > reply has been made within 3 months, as this is the normal clearance time > for the VK3 outwards buro to the major ham population areas such as JA, W, G > DJ, I, EA, F and UA. This means a total buro time, of around 18 to 21 > months. > > > > To my knowledge, fortunately there are only a handful of active VK operators > who don't accept buro cards, for reasons known only to themselves. In some > cases, these relate to operations from VK9 and VK0 where permanent residents > are not involved and wisely, a manager has been used. > > > > I hope the above information helps to explain the high and ever increasing > costs associated with qsling out of VK land. > > > > Comments have also been made about the LoTW. Unfortunately, until LoTW is > able to be accepted and accessed at no cost by Awards Managers outside of > the U.S.A., the requirement of hard copy qsl cards will remain a necessity. > > > > > > Peter Forbes VK3QI > > > > Manager for VI3JPI, VI5BR and VI5PN > > > > and VK3 WIA Buro Outwards Manager. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems > http://njdxa.org/dx-chat > > To post a message, DX related items only, [email protected] > > This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA > http://njdxa.org > > Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, [email protected] This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
