Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX?
He retired on the greenstamps. What else? I certainly sent him enough. Les W2LK On 12/2/2011 10:12 AM, Barry wrote: While operating CQWW last weekend from K0RF, and needing zone 39 for the last one on 15m, I wondered what ever happened to FR5DX. I could make some snide comment about him retiring on the greenstamps he collected from (almost) everyone's multiple QSL requests, but I won't :.) Anyone know? Barry W2UP --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX?
FR5DZ knows him and told me he is still residing in Reunion. If you hear him on, you may ask... N8DX On Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 10:50 AM, Les Kalmus w...@bk-lk.com wrote: He retired on the greenstamps. What else? I certainly sent him enough. Les W2LK On 12/2/2011 10:12 AM, Barry wrote: While operating CQWW last weekend from K0RF, and needing zone 39 for the last one on 15m, I wondered what ever happened to FR5DX. I could make some snide comment about him retiring on the greenstamps he collected from (almost) everyone's multiple QSL requests, but I won't :.) Anyone know? Barry W2UP --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org --- --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX?
At 12:27 PM 12/2/2011, Jack Shirley wrote: FR5DZ knows him and told me he is still residing in Reunion. If you hear him on, you may ask... N8DX To be a bit positive, he was my first FR on a number of bands and I did get QSL cards from him for all contacts. I recall all of the negativity, and I think I sent at least twice for some of them. However, I do have FR5DX QSLs. If I recall correctly, he was a police officer or in the militia . . . something to do with law and a uniform, anyhow. I also heard that one of the reasons he is now QRT is because of discussions like this. Deserved or not, I heard he became disgusted with Ham radio because he was constantly being insulted left and right on the Internet for not QSLing. Maybe the mail to/from Reunion, at the time, was rife with theft. Maybe he was getting it all and only answering 1 out of 10. We will never know. 73, Paul VE1DX --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX?
At 01:29 PM 12/2/2011, DAVE WHITE wrote: From my understanding, much of the mail that went to Reunion Island, Indian Ocean or similar was pilfered, especially once his name got known and locals cottoned onto the fact that there would be dollar bills in the envelope. In contrast, *ALL* the mail I sent to Reunion VIA FRANCE or Reunion, France as if it was just a normal French address was received by Herik and I got replies. No-one seemed to listen to that bit and just sat there slagging Herik off instead. I don't know why he never used a QSL manager such as the excellent F6FNU who always ensured that (a) the service didn't cost wither him or the DX station money to run and (b) always, but always returned cards with sufficient postage. If I were Herik I'd change my callsign, say I was called Fred and use a QSL manager Dave G0OIL Maybe that was the secret, Dave. All of the big gun locals advised me to write Via France on the envelope. I did, and as I indicated before, most or all of them came back. I also miss F5FNU. If you followed his instructions, you *always* got a QSL card back. I have had excellent success in the past 25 years with direct QSLing. I attribute it to following the tips that are everywhere about using nondescript envelopes, not putting call signs anywhere they can be seen, wrapping everything in another piece of paper so the contents can't easily be seen when held up to the light, etc. We will never get a 100% return rate, but we sure can increase our odds if we follow the common sense rules that are posted everywhere on the Internet and were in every DXing book you could lay your hands on. Yet I still get (6M mostly) requests with my call and the DX's call printed in big block letters on it! They might as well attach a big orange sticker that says Steal me - there is money inside to it. :-) 73, Paul VE1DX --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
RE: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX?
I worked FR5DX four times, all contest QSOs, between 1998 2000. 2 QSOs on 15, 2 on 20. I QSL'd him once for each band got those cards. According to my old notes, I did sent the requests using the via France address. So at least at the time, he was a good QSL'er. But I have to agree with Paul on this one. It is very, very easy for us to sit back and kvetch about the rotten DX that take our IRC's and Green Stamps and never reply. I've heard the same gripes about a good many DX stations, including a well known, semi-rare active V5 op, plus OD, FM, PZ; and much more common ones in OA, PY, EA6, EA8, and many other areas as well. So how come I can get cards from those stations or those areas and others can't? I follow the mailing/routing directions when given. I don't put calls on the envelopes. I use a manilla envelope (tough to see through) or security envelopes. And yes, I sometimes use WF5E for some of the tough ones, and it's thanks to Joe W3HNK that I got my UA2 confirmations for 80 meters, even though they weren't his clients. No, I don't get a 100% return. Yes, there are stations who pocket the green stamps or IRC's; yes, there are managers who demand reimbursement well over above what return postage reasonable costs would cover. And yes, there are certain DX stations, including some in the tough areas, who ought to use a QSL manager, but for a variety of reasons (including ego naivety for two) will not use one. I'm not naive enough to deny that these things go on. I'm just not ready to use the broad brush so many use so readily to blame the DX so easily. 73 -Original Message- From: kf...@njdxa.org [mailto:kf...@njdxa.org] On Behalf Of Paul M Dunphy Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 12:15 PM To: DX CHAT Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX? At 12:27 PM 12/2/2011, Jack Shirley wrote: FR5DZ knows him and told me he is still residing in Reunion. If you hear him on, you may ask... N8DX To be a bit positive, he was my first FR on a number of bands and I did get QSL cards from him for all contacts. I recall all of the negativity, and I think I sent at least twice for some of them. However, I do have FR5DX QSLs. If I recall correctly, he was a police officer or in the militia . . . something to do with law and a uniform, anyhow. I also heard that one of the reasons he is now QRT is because of discussions like this. Deserved or not, I heard he became disgusted with Ham radio because he was constantly being insulted left and right on the Internet for not QSLing. Maybe the mail to/from Reunion, at the time, was rife with theft. Maybe he was getting it all and only answering 1 out of 10. We will never know. 73, Paul VE1DX --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org --- --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX?
Since I was one of the early complainers, let me clarify. I worked FR5DX, and, prior to that, FR0FLO a total of four times between 1983 and 1994. I QSLed him each time I worked him and never got a response so I repeatedly QSLed some of those QSOs. I sent him $ via direct, via France and there was one other way which I can't recall at the moment. I never got a reply. The last time I worked Herik I even asked him where my QSLs were and he said they're on the way. I use special airmail envelopes that fit inside one another and are security printed on the inside. I never put any call info on the outside of these envelopes and money or IRCs are always between the QSLs and the inner envelope, impossible to see. I can understand some mail not getting through but not all mail and not if sent the various ways he suggested. So far as I am concerned he was a problem. Les W2LK On 12/2/2011 6:02 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN wrote: I worked FR5DX four times, all contest QSOs, between 1998 2000. 2 QSOs on 15, 2 on 20. I QSL'd him once for each band got those cards. According to my old notes, I did sent the requests using the via France address. So at least at the time, he was a good QSL'er. But I have to agree with Paul on this one. It is very, very easy for us to sit back and kvetch about the rotten DX that take our IRC's and Green Stamps and never reply. I've heard the same gripes about a good many DX stations, including a well known, semi-rare active V5 op, plus OD, FM, PZ; and much more common ones in OA, PY, EA6, EA8, and many other areas as well. So how come I can get cards from those stations or those areas and others can't? I follow the mailing/routing directions when given. I don't put calls on the envelopes. I use a manilla envelope (tough to see through) or security envelopes. And yes, I sometimes use WF5E for some of the tough ones, and it's thanks to Joe W3HNK that I got my UA2 confirmations for 80 meters, even though they weren't his clients. No, I don't get a 100% return. Yes, there are stations who pocket the green stamps or IRC's; yes, there are managers who demand reimbursement well over above what return postage reasonable costs would cover. And yes, there are certain DX stations, including some in the tough areas, who ought to use a QSL manager, but for a variety of reasons (including ego naivety for two) will not use one. I'm not naive enough to deny that these things go on. I'm just not ready to use the broad brush so many use so readily to blame the DX so easily. 73 -Original Message- From: kf...@njdxa.org [mailto:kf...@njdxa.org] On Behalf Of Paul M Dunphy Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 12:15 PM To: DX CHAT Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX? At 12:27 PM 12/2/2011, Jack Shirley wrote: FR5DZ knows him and told me he is still residing in Reunion. If you hear him on, you may ask... N8DX To be a bit positive, he was my first FR on a number of bands and I did get QSL cards from him for all contacts. I recall all of the negativity, and I think I sent at least twice for some of them. However, I do have FR5DX QSLs. If I recall correctly, he was a police officer or in the militia . . . something to do with law and a uniform, anyhow. I also heard that one of the reasons he is now QRT is because of discussions like this. Deserved or not, I heard he became disgusted with Ham radio because he was constantly being insulted left and right on the Internet for not QSLing. Maybe the mail to/from Reunion, at the time, was rife with theft. Maybe he was getting it all and only answering 1 out of 10. We will never know. 73, Paul VE1DX --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org --- --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org --- --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX?
I worked FR5DX, and, prior to that, FR0FLO a total of four times between 1983 and 1994. Like Les, I worked FR0FLO many times in the early 1980's. No matter if it was IRCs or $$$, mailing via France and multiple mailings, I received QSLs for only one of nine QSOs spread across what looks to be four major contests and a couple non-contest QSOs. So far as I am concerned he was a problem. Agreed! Although I hate to see any station in a rare location give up, in this case it's probably for the best. If any station knows there is a problem, he owes it to the community in general to use a QSL manager or arrange for a secure mail drop and mail forwarding. Even 30 years ago it would not have been that difficult to arrange for someone with reliable mail service to accept mail. forward a list of requests, place cards (shipped in bulk) in return envelopes, mail them and forward the net proceeds through secure channels. Even if the problem is unreliable mail, a rare DX has no excuse for ever getting a reputation as a green stamp collector. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 12/2/2011 6:30 PM, Les Kalmus wrote: Since I was one of the early complainers, let me clarify. I worked FR5DX, and, prior to that, FR0FLO a total of four times between 1983 and 1994. I QSLed him each time I worked him and never got a response so I repeatedly QSLed some of those QSOs. I sent him $ via direct, via France and there was one other way which I can't recall at the moment. I never got a reply. The last time I worked Herik I even asked him where my QSLs were and he said they're on the way. I use special airmail envelopes that fit inside one another and are security printed on the inside. I never put any call info on the outside of these envelopes and money or IRCs are always between the QSLs and the inner envelope, impossible to see. I can understand some mail not getting through but not all mail and not if sent the various ways he suggested. So far as I am concerned he was a problem. Les W2LK On 12/2/2011 6:02 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN wrote: I worked FR5DX four times, all contest QSOs, between 1998 2000. 2 QSOs on 15, 2 on 20. I QSL'd him once for each band got those cards. According to my old notes, I did sent the requests using the via France address. So at least at the time, he was a good QSL'er. But I have to agree with Paul on this one. It is very, very easy for us to sit back and kvetch about the rotten DX that take our IRC's and Green Stamps and never reply. I've heard the same gripes about a good many DX stations, including a well known, semi-rare active V5 op, plus OD, FM, PZ; and much more common ones in OA, PY, EA6, EA8, and many other areas as well. So how come I can get cards from those stations or those areas and others can't? I follow the mailing/routing directions when given. I don't put calls on the envelopes. I use a manilla envelope (tough to see through) or security envelopes. And yes, I sometimes use WF5E for some of the tough ones, and it's thanks to Joe W3HNK that I got my UA2 confirmations for 80 meters, even though they weren't his clients. No, I don't get a 100% return. Yes, there are stations who pocket the green stamps or IRC's; yes, there are managers who demand reimbursement well over above what return postage reasonable costs would cover. And yes, there are certain DX stations, including some in the tough areas, who ought to use a QSL manager, but for a variety of reasons (including ego naivety for two) will not use one. I'm not naive enough to deny that these things go on. I'm just not ready to use the broad brush so many use so readily to blame the DX so easily. 73 -Original Message- From: kf...@njdxa.org [mailto:kf...@njdxa.org] On Behalf Of Paul M Dunphy Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 12:15 PM To: DX CHAT Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] What ever happened to FR5DX? At 12:27 PM 12/2/2011, Jack Shirley wrote: FR5DZ knows him and told me he is still residing in Reunion. If you hear him on, you may ask... N8DX To be a bit positive, he was my first FR on a number of bands and I did get QSL cards from him for all contacts. I recall all of the negativity, and I think I sent at least twice for some of them. However, I do have FR5DX QSLs. If I recall correctly, he was a police officer or in the militia . . . something to do with law and a uniform, anyhow. I also heard that one of the reasons he is now QRT is because of discussions like this. Deserved or not, I heard he became disgusted with Ham radio because he was constantly being insulted left and right on the Internet for not QSLing. Maybe the mail to/from Reunion, at the time, was rife with theft. Maybe he was getting it all and only answering 1 out of 10. We will never know. 73, Paul VE1DX --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the
[DX-CHAT] Where are they Now, Pt. 2
Speaking of where are they now?, has anyone heard or worked A61AJ in the past several years? They were the biggest thing going in the early 2000's, but seemed to have vanished. Ken N2ZN --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
[DX-CHAT] Re: What ever happened to FR5DX?
On Dec 2, 2011, at 6:21 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: I worked FR5DX, and, prior to that, FR0FLO a total of four times between 1983 and 1994. Like Les, I worked FR0FLO many times in the early 1980's. No matter if it was IRCs or $$$, mailing via France and multiple mailings, I received QSLs for only one of nine QSOs spread across what looks to be four major contests and a couple non-contest QSOs. So far as I am concerned he was a problem. Agreed! ... Joe, W4TV Did you ever try bribery? - not money, but information difficult to obtain in Reunion. Way back in the good old days, I needed FR0FLO to confirm Zone 39 on 40/75 SSB. With my QSL, I airmailed Herik the latest Yaesu, ICOM, and Kenwood HF catalogs. His QSL came back to me airmail direct in 10 days, with a nice letter of thanks. John, NT5C. --- To unsubscribe or subscribe to this list. Please send a message to imail...@njdxa.org In the message body put either unsubscribe dx-chat or subscribe dx-chat This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org ---
