[DX-CHAT] [dx-chat] QSL METHODS

[John Maikisch]

I was just sending out some DX QSL cards and did some quick calculations on percent return for my effort. Now these are my numbers and my opinion and certainly may not reflect the  ham community in general.   The terms I use are:   PRICE = what it costs me to get a card USAGE = my uninformed guess at how many DX hams use this method TIME = how long it takes me to get a confirmation CONVENIENCE = how easy it is for me to use this method % QSO's CONFIRMED = how many of my total DX QSO's have been confirmed by this method   By the way, I QSL 100% all DX QSO's. All by the Bureau and also LOTW. Direct only for those I deem important for some reason and I include SASE, postage and contribution when appropriate.   The numbers are:   LOTW - price= cheapest, usage = not many, time = fastest method, convenience = OK but could be better, % QSO's confirmed < 10%   BUREAU - price = reasonable, usage = most, time = years, convenience = easiest to use, % QSO's confirmed ~ 33%   DIRECT - price = very expensive (but if you need the card?), usage = most DX  will respond to a direct request, time = weeks to months but never years, convenience = a lot of work, % QSO's confirmed = I get return on 99% of cards I send out direct   Maybe this is not worth the bandwidth I used but as N2ERN says I am just wasting a few electrons not some trees.   I know that a lot of DX stations do not like LOTW for some reasons but it sure can makes my life easier.     73, John - K2AZ