Hi Konnie, I think the issue here is not "whether" stations who test are asked to QSL, but "what" actually constitutes a QSL. Speaking from experience and many conversations with previous BTCs Les and J.D., I can testify to the fact that it is becoming more and more difficult to get stations and CE's (whether hams or not) to even consider doing a test. We are lucky to get a 10 percent response on our requests for tests, and even fewer of those are affirmatives.
When I contact a station, part of the request is always a clear explanation that DXers who send reception reports are going to expect to hear back from the station with a verification of their reception if their report is correct. The brochure that goes along in each test request package also includes an explanation of QSLing and makes it clear that DXers have that expectation in response to a reception report. As I said before, I don't think it is appropriate - especially since the station is generally doing us a BIG favor by conducting the test - to insist that their responses to DXers be done jot and tittle the way we want. Again, this is not an area where I believe a major education program for broadcasters is appropriate. Yes, I am a ham, and on those rare occasions when I get a request for a QSL, I do so 100 percent. I cant say the same for all other hams. Sometimes I get stiffed there too, just as I do by broadcasters. Your comparison between ham QSLing and BCB QSLing seems a little flawed to me, since for hams, it should be an integral part of the hobby with (theoretically) two willing participants, while for BCB QSLing it is a very one-sided and tangential aspect, with broadcasters having a very limited - if any - interest in QSLing. All tests that we have scheduled this season have agreed to respond directly to DXers with verifications. If the quality of the QSL or verie is not up to your standards Konnie, I apologize. I would invite you to contact any stations which you feel have not provided the kind of response you want and work it out between the two of you. But if you choose to do this, please be polite and don't alienate the station personnel from future DXers by making inappropriate demands. As for no response at all, if you run into this problem, I will be more than happy to go to bat and try to explain to the person at the station just how important a QSL is, and do whatever is necessary to illicit their cooperation. I've already done this for a few tests from years past. OK - I hope this horse is officially dead, since my arm is getting tired beating it. However, if other DXers want to chime in with their opinions, I'm always happy to listen and learn. 73s, Jim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Konnie Rychalsky Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:41 PM To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Subject: [IRCA] Poor Excuses kill this hobby Jim, With all due respect, you are a ham radio operator, and the reference at the bottom of your recent post ( QRZ.com ) does an excellent job at "defining" what a QSL is, unless you have redefined it. I in no way suggested that you insist upon the testing-station that you educate them, but come on now.... you "ARE" a ham radio operator.... and wouldn't it help to a) when you ask a station to run a test, ask them if they have a QSL available, b) if not, offer one, and c) it would be nice to let us know????? Ham radio operators know what QSLs are, and no news to you I'm sure. Aren't you of all people suppossed to encourage the hobby of radio? Doesn't Ham radio include QSLs??? To everyone on this list, are you implying that even if you do coordinate a DX test, it's possible a QSL will not be issued? If indeed possible, isn't it worth asking? Most QSLs I receive from stations are from those who were or currently are Ham radio operators. I will remain gratefull with a "QSL." I include a friendly letter with my reports showing examples of QSLs, even on an idea for a quick make-shift QSL if the station doesn't have one [and I'll add I've received phonecalls in return stating they were interested.] Maybe if you'll ask, you'll be surprised on the answer, and therefore help the station and the hobby. The reason for hearing a distant station is to have your reception confirmed, as proof, and that is done via a QSL card. Somehow, coordinating a test and not checking into a QSL response just falls short to the "hobby" that began long before you or I were even born. To settle for less, doesn't help the hobby. Personally, anything less is just that, something less. I believe your response has lead me to question if it is worth staying up, or getting up, to listen to a test anymore. Who's suppossed to share the DX & QSL with the station, if the test coordinator doesn't? Don't you think that if a station will not issue a QSL, we should know that ahead of time? I cannot find your explanation to ask, or educate, adequatly helps the hobby. A fish is a fish, a worm is a worm, and a QSL is a QSL. As for "these days" one of the problems of receiving less than a QSL just may be found in your response. Maybe instead of a stamp, each DXer can send in a dollar, and with the $10 - $20, you can supply the station with a gift...uh, QSL cards!!!!!! about 100 worth. You will have left the hobby a better place than you found it. Then, dxers will be gratefull to you and the IRCA for making a difference. What is the IRCA for anyway? And coming from a Ham radio operator ???????????? God, that was simple. People, stop settling for less, and poor excuses. Get involved in your hobby! Stop looking for what you can get, and add selfishly to a raggetty old shoe box full of mold and mildew stuck in a closet that won't see light for another ten years... and starting looking on how to give to others, including an education on what a QSL really is, and supply them. There needs to be a serious attitude shift here. That should start the keyboards clicking, eh? Konnie SW CT > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com> Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:31:09 -0600> Subject: Re: [IRCA] QSL from WIGG 1420 for DX TEST> > Folks, I gotta say, any time you get a response from a station these days> and the "intent" is to verify your reception, you need to be grateful. I am> certain that this was the intent by WIGG. The days of insisting upon a full> data verification with date, time, frequency, power, etc., and an> unambiguous "your reception is verified" statement or the like are gone. In> a word, no, not all stations are aware of what constitutes what we DXers> would categorize as a full data QSL. And I'm not about to try and launch an> education program. Again, we are lucky to get the test and a snail-mail> response to our reception reports at all.> > Jim Pogue KH2AR/WPE9HLJ/KG6DX1A> Memphis, Tennessee USA> > NRD-535, R-390A, ICF-2010> Wellbrook LA5030 loop, PAØRDT mini-whip,> attic longwire, Quantum phaser> > QRZ.com/KH2AR> > -----Original Message-----> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Behalf Of Konnie Rychalsky> Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 7:45 PM> To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America> Subject: Re: [IRCA] QSL from WIGG 1420 for DX TEST> > > I thought the definition of a "QSL" confirms a date? Isn't this instead a> "Verie?" On another note, aren't the stations that run these DX tests aware> of "QSL" response?> > Konnie> SW CT> > > Yesterday received a hand written letter with business card from WIGG> > 1420khz for DX Test on Nov 4th., signed by Paul Turner. No date was> > mentioned. _________________________________________________________________ Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows Live. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_ MediaCtr_bigscreen_102007 _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
