Re: [DX-CHAT] QSLing tip
Very good advice from both guys. I even put a GS in for stateside QSL's and extra for a major DX expedition. 73 Russ W4UBC - Original Message - From: Fred Stevens K2FRD [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: dx-chat@njdxa.org Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:22 PM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] QSLing tip I'm with you, Charles. Even though I'm a techie geek, LOTW and eQSL are just two more applications to complicate my already complicated life. I like the look and feel of real cardboard QSL cards, old radios if I have storage space for them (just picked up a RT-524 based VRC-12, 1960s vintage Army mobile VHF FM which happens to have 6m capability - the seller needed rent money and offered it to me at a price I couldn't refuse), turning the VFO for DX, and running my own one-man mini-DXpeditions to VO2 land. Still, IRCs are a lot easier to obtain and exchange for postage than foreign postage stamps. And woe to the op who sends QSL requests without IRC, GS, or especially a SA envelope; he's gonna wait a long time for a response via the Buro. I hate hand addressing envelopes. I'd rather have a root canal. Or go shopping or do laundry. 73 de Fred K2FRD, VO2FS At 2:45 AM + 29/11/06, Charles Harpole wrote: I found out from answering VU4AN/VU3CHE card requests that the easiest and fastest reply went to the one USA guy who had Thailand postage on his self-addressed envelop. Also, to the several Japanese who used their version of international reply ENVELOP. Those were just so nice and easy to drop into the post box on the corner here in Bangkok on my way out to work. Of course, all the other direct cards were taken care of, but I was surprised at myself at the joyful temptation to take care of the one with the Thai stamp so easily. I am sure this would not affect the big DXpeditions with lots of QSL helpers, but my wife and I were chugging away ourselves. BTW, maybe if u are really hot to get a card, a local postage affixed is much more effective than (1) sending multiple cards for the same contact or (2) emailing the DX asking for a special search and reply. I love old-fashioned things CW, tube radios, listening for DX, paper QSLs that arrive with beautiful stamps, rag chewing, tiny DXpeditions running 50 watts to a dipole, and the other things that retain the mystery of ham radio. Good DX to all.. 73 Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- 73 de Fred Stevens K2FRD, VO2FS http://homepage.mac.com/k2frd/K2FRD.html Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org 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, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] QSLing tip
Amen, Charlie! It cost me about $6000 each for my two mini-DXpeditions to VO2. ANY financial relief is welcome. I get frosted when ops send QSL requests without some means to return a card (postage or GS or IRC, SASE, or even just a self-addressed envelope). About 25% of stateside ops QSL with nothing other than their cards. These get QSL responses via the bureau. And, I am very, very slow with buro QSLs (3 to 6 months). Virtually all DX stations send requests with IRCs or GSs with SA envelopes. Most stateside ops who send a self-addressed envelope also include a stamp, so I'll process these normally. But I sincerely appreciate those stateside ops who also include a GS (about 10% do so) and will respond with a short personal note. I should tighten my QSLing standards for my next VO2 Zone 2 trip (planned for 2008 or 2009) like I threatened on my VO2 webpages, but I usually cave and QSL 100% eventually, even if it's only via the buro. Soft brain at work. 73 de Fred K2FRD, VO2FS At 3:39 PM + 29/11/06, Charlie, W0YG wrote: Russ: You are right on! A lot of guys, myself included, when we return from a DXpedition, like I just have from VK9CGG where costs are not trivial (no place are the costs trivial), mine the incoming QSLs to try to make that sustain itself. What does this mean? It means in my case I open all the envelopes to see if there is money inside or an IRC inside. If there is, I remove the money or IRC, sell the IRC and buy stamps with both the money and IRC. I mark on the outside of the envelope how much was inside. I then QSL those that have supported the operation first, setting aside SASE envelopes for last. It takes about 2-3 months for the mail load to lighten up so that I can get to those SASEs. In the end, everyone who sent for a card gets his/her card, no problems. It makes sense to do it this way for me. The bottom line is if YOU have a vested interest in a DXpedition, then your input is more than likely appreciated. If you don't, well go figure! Let the flames begin 73, Charlie, W0YG, VK9CGG, VK9CG, VK9XG, VK9XX, VK9YY, ZS6YG, Z21/W0YG, Z2/W0YG, A22/W0YG, A25/W0YG, V5/ZS6YG and a few others.. -- 73 de Fred Stevens K2FRD, VO2FS http://homepage.mac.com/k2frd/K2FRD.html Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] QSLing tip
Personally I very much prefer the SASE...it sure makes it easier on me and A LOT faster turnaround. I also find ONE card with ALL QSOs on the one card is much preferred. I have no intention of using LOTW or EQSLtoo late in the game for me. Just my 2 cents. Tony, W4FOA - Original Message - From: Russell Kellam Jr [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: dx-chat@njdxa.org; Fred Stevens K2FRD [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 9:10 AM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] QSLing tip Very good advice from both guys. I even put a GS in for stateside QSL's and extra for a major DX expedition. 73 Russ W4UBC - Original Message - From: Fred Stevens K2FRD [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: dx-chat@njdxa.org Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:22 PM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] QSLing tip I'm with you, Charles. Even though I'm a techie geek, LOTW and eQSL are just two more applications to complicate my already complicated life. I like the look and feel of real cardboard QSL cards, old radios if I have storage space for them (just picked up a RT-524 based VRC-12, 1960s vintage Army mobile VHF FM which happens to have 6m capability - the seller needed rent money and offered it to me at a price I couldn't refuse), turning the VFO for DX, and running my own one-man mini-DXpeditions to VO2 land. Still, IRCs are a lot easier to obtain and exchange for postage than foreign postage stamps. And woe to the op who sends QSL requests without IRC, GS, or especially a SA envelope; he's gonna wait a long time for a response via the Buro. I hate hand addressing envelopes. I'd rather have a root canal. Or go shopping or do laundry. 73 de Fred K2FRD, VO2FS At 2:45 AM + 29/11/06, Charles Harpole wrote: I found out from answering VU4AN/VU3CHE card requests that the easiest and fastest reply went to the one USA guy who had Thailand postage on his self-addressed envelop. Also, to the several Japanese who used their version of international reply ENVELOP. Those were just so nice and easy to drop into the post box on the corner here in Bangkok on my way out to work. Of course, all the other direct cards were taken care of, but I was surprised at myself at the joyful temptation to take care of the one with the Thai stamp so easily. I am sure this would not affect the big DXpeditions with lots of QSL helpers, but my wife and I were chugging away ourselves. BTW, maybe if u are really hot to get a card, a local postage affixed is much more effective than (1) sending multiple cards for the same contact or (2) emailing the DX asking for a special search and reply. I love old-fashioned things CW, tube radios, listening for DX, paper QSLs that arrive with beautiful stamps, rag chewing, tiny DXpeditions running 50 watts to a dipole, and the other things that retain the mystery of ham radio. Good DX to all.. 73 Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- 73 de Fred Stevens K2FRD, VO2FS http://homepage.mac.com/k2frd/K2FRD.html Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org 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, dx-chat@njdxa.org 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, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] Slowing down your qsl reply
It never fails to amaze me how poorly some ops send QSL requests although I
will acknowledge and understand that some new HF ops may not yet understand how
to QSL a DX station (hence the ones sent as postcards and homebrew QSLs made
from marker pen or typed). Most DXpeditions have a website which give specific
QSL instructions and while there are some (maybe many) ops who do not have
internet, most DXpeditions also repeatedly give QSL instructions on the air.
VO2 Zone 2 isn't a rare DX location, may not even qualify for uncommon
status, but it still costs a lot of money to get there and operate from there.
Yet there are those who think it is the DX stations' responsibility to send a
QSL card under all conditions and at their expense merely upon sending their
QSL requests. Many or even most of these are serious and experienced DXers with
1x2 or 2x1 Extra callsigns or DXCC, WAZ, or even 5BDDXCC on their cards,
so have been around the block for a few years. What are they thinking?
73 de Fred K2FRD, VO2FS
PS - Thanks for the opportunity to blow off some steam. I have a pile of buro
cards sitting on my desk to which I still need to respond.
At 3:33 PM + 29/11/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Guys,
Good tips for getting qsls faster. Here are some things to avoid {which are
all too common}.
1. Stateside stations sending a card through the bureau to a stateside qsl
manager.
2. Sending the card in an envelope, no SASE, no return postage.
3. Sending the card with return postage, but no return envelope.
4. Sending the card as a postcard.
Be realistic. It may not have been a really rare contact, but the station or
manager will be answering hundreds or maybe thousands of requests. The DX is
not doing it to make money, but if your request either costs the DX or manager
money to initiate a card back, or they have to provide and address an
envelope, or address the card as a postcard, your request will get put in the
back of the box to be answered last, if at all. Make things as easy as you
can! Additional hint- fold back the envelope flap, or put the card between the
envelope and flap. Receiving a request with the envelope sealed shut due to
moisture will also get your equest to the back of the box.
73, Duane, WV2B
The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.-
Ralph Waldo Emerson
--
73 de Fred Stevens K2FRD, VO2FS
http://homepage.mac.com/k2frd/K2FRD.html
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