[Dx-qsl] Re: QSLing

Tue May 21 12:08:00 2002

Scott,
Well, I'll answer your question as best I can. I'm also going to copy this
over to the DX QSL reflector so that people who are more experienced at
successful QSL'ing can also throw their 2 IRC's worth into it too.
How to Succeed in QSL'ing:
1. Learn patience. Cards do not return overnight. Expect a minimum of
10 days for domestic cards and 4 weeks for overseas cards. In the cases of
a major DXpedition, expect months for a return, since most of the time (and
there are exceptions) cards are not printed until after the DXpedition
returns and the managers literally have tens of thousands of QSL requests to
check through.
2. Listen, listen, and listen some more. Listen to the DX station when you
work him/her, and before and after. With the exception of contest
environments when serious contesters are trying to maximize QSO rates, take
a few moments before and after your QSO. Listen specifically for any
instructions the DX has regarding QSL'ing. Sometimes different managers
handle different modes or bands (such as 6 meters). Sometimes a guest
operator (as in the recent 4U1ITU operation by K1ZZ) will QSL direct or have
his/her own manager.
2a. Also, if you have packet or can check an Internet packet node, check
the cluster to see if anything has been posted.
2b. Subscribing to some of the free (OPDX, 425 DX, etc) or pay DX (Daily
DX, Weekly DX, QRZ DX?) e-mail information services as they usually have
complete and detailed QSL information.
2c. Learn where the Internet search engines for QSL information are and use
them. But keep in mind that sometimes the wrong information or out of date
information gets listed even in the best of them.
3. Make sure the DX station has your call correct, which can sometimes be
difficult in a big pileup. It's been suggested that if you are in doubt,
log the calls of the stations worked before and after you so that you have
some "proof" you made the Q & the call in the log is busted.
3a. And it should go without saying, make sure you have the DX call correct
also! Too often, someone sees a spot for a rare DX, jumps on the frequency,
beats the pileup, and logs the call wrong because the call posted on the
cluster has a typo or some other error. Go back to rule 2 -- listen,
listen, and listen some more!
4. Use "security" envelopes, even domestically. Or wrap the contents of
the envelope in a thin blank sheet of paper. Or both. Cuts down on
potential theft, and the sheet of paper "smooths" the envelope out a little
so that there's less chance of postal machinery snagging on and destroying
an envelope.
5. Minimize use of call letters on the envelope. You're usually OK on
envelopes going to stations in the US, Canada, and most of Western Europe.
But the sad fact is that there are way too many areas of the world where
people handling the envelopes covet cash, and have learned that call letters
indicate an amateur radio related piece of mail, like a QSL card request
with dollars and/or IRC's.
5a. Consider having your envelopes printed professionally with a return
address, or use a good quality laser or ink jet printer to print them on the
fly. Consider strongly making them look like a professional letter, not a
personal one. Some people have gone so far as to make them appear to be
"junk" mail ("congratulations! you may have won 2 IRC's by opening this
letter!" ... ok, only Ed McMahon could get away with that one)
5a1. If you're not going to fake a company name and you're married, use
your spouse's name (as in "Ron & Julie Notarius" not "Ron Notarius").
Again, makes it appear to be something other than an a QSL request.
5c. Use your home printer to print the mailing address right on the
envelope. Hand written addresses do not look professional. Mailing labels
sometimes look like junk mail, but do not look professional.
5d. Tape envelopes shut. Prevents humidity and other factors from
"accidently" opening sealed envelopes.
5e. Some people recommend cutting a corner off the envelope so that the
contents of the envelope can be inspected. That one has never done much for
me, but many swear by it.
6. Make sure your address is complete on your enclosed SAE or SASE. If
sent domestically, make sure you have enough postage on the SASE (might as
well start using $.37 now, it goes into effect very soon. You can get
sheets of $.03 stamps at the post office now with no hassle -- beat the
rush!). If sent internationally, don't forget to include "USA" as some DX
get quite annoyed having to add that.
6a. If you have them, affix a USPS Label 19B sticker to the SAE (that's the
current official Air Mail label). You can get them free for the asking at
most post offices, assuming the clerk isn't in a bad mood.
6b. If you print your SAE's, and your software permits it, include the
mailing bar code. Use the ZIP+4 number if you know it (and you should).
Also, check your mail. Seems to be an extra 2 digits added on to the bar
codes that the USPS doesn't advertise (for example, mine is 15234-2317+71).
Anything that helps route that envelope back to you, use! (See also 5a1
above)
7. To IRC or not IRC, that is the question? Most DX will either not
respond to your direct request, or will reply only via the bureau, unless
you include something to help cover the cost of postage. Sometimes they
request more than is absolutely neccesary for return postage; in some cases,
this helps cover miscellaneous costs including power and food. There have
always been rumors about certain managers getting "rich," which is beyond
the scope of this email. Be so as it may, follow the DX's instructions if
any as to IRC or Green Stamp (US Dollars) quantities or preferences.
7a. Some areas of the world prohibit their citizens to possess US or
other foreign currency. It is usually a bad idea to send Green Stamps to
these areas.
7b. Banks in some areas of the world charge large fees to convert US or
other currency to theirs. So the DX may have to wait until s/he has enough
on hand to make the conversion and related costs worthwhile.
7c. Some areas of the world do not accept IRC's or no longer accept the
older IRC's (including the green "no expiration" ones we've used for years)
In these cases, US $ makes more sense.
7d. In some areas, a dollar buys more air mail postage than an IRC. In
other areas, the opposite is true. And some places want more than one IRC
to cover air mail back to the US. How do you find out? Ask questions on
one of the many DX & QSL reflectors. Also check out the fine IRC chart that
Bill W9OL has put together at
http://www.qsl.net/w9ol/ircchart.txt
7e. Where do you get an IRC? You can buy them at the Post Office,
currently for 1ドル.75 each -- if you can find a Post Office that knows what to
do with them and a clerk who can be bothered (IRC's are a little arcane and
many don't know how to deal with them, another matter outside the scope of
this email). DON'T. Instead, contact a domestic QSL manager (I usually get
mine from Steve KU9C, occasionally from others including W3HNK and W3UR) and
buy them from him. Why? Because they can only redeem them for an $.80
stamp. So buy them for about a buck each -- saves you $.75 per, and lets
them buy those stamps with a little extra. (What happens to that little
extra? Pays for the QSL card printing, covers bureau postage for the
manager, covers other misc. costs and essentials for the DX. Ask the
manager in question what he does with it, he'll tell you.)
7e1. New or old IRC? The new ones are huge (they won't fit into a #10
envelope with folding!) so I reccomend not using them unless absolutely
neccesary. Again, some administrations no longer will accept the older
"green" ones.
7e2. Don't use the (older still) brown "surface" IRC's. They were
officially phased out years ago, and their redemption value to the post
office(s) are minimal if anything. So what to do with them? Believe it or
not... sell them to a collector on eBay for top dollar!
7f. If you're going to send a green stamp, try and get "fresh" ones from
the post office. Again, some foreign administrations or banks can be funny
about that, they dislike handling older bills. If two GS's are needed, get
a 2ドル bill; same value, less bulk, less weight, and very rarely in
circulation so they're almost always in good shape.
8. Learn some more patience.
9. If possible, try not to use commemorative stamps internationally. (Even
though the current $.60 & $.80 air mail stamps are a little "flashy,"
they're also pretty common). Some of the envelopes stolen in transit are
swiped for the stamps, especially the "rarer" domestic stamps sent
domestically.
10. Reality is that there are some DX that either have most of their mail
intercepted or are IRC/GS collectors. So don't be afraid to ask first.
But don't be disappointed if some of these never come through, or if they
reply years later through the bureau. Some have reasons; they might be good
ones (which is no excuse, though). Some are just... what they are.
11. Learn yet more patience.
12. If I make a mistake on the QSL card I'm printing or writing, I destroy
it and make a new one. Some people will mark it up and send it anyway.
Most cards that are saved for awards purposes can't be used if they appear
to be "altered" so they're not worth the bother.
13. Keep your log in UTC time (AND DATE) not local time. 99%+ of all
amateurs who QSL do anymore. If the DX has to spend a lot of time looking
for your call and confirming the data, you may go to the bottom of the pile
or the "hospital" pile. It does no good to get your card in first if it has
a problem causing the DX to deal with it last!
14. Don't give up. Things happen. It took me 12 years, for example, but I
finally tracked down and got my EL7X card -- the original request had been
lost during civil disturbances, and it was a long time until I found that
the amateur had escaped and was still alive AND still had his logs. Some
Silent Key logs are lost, but others are put in manager's hands and cards
can still be obtained. ASK if in doubt.
15. Patience!
Some things that I know others do that I don't:
1. I have hardly ever bothered with the flimsy light-weight air mail
envelopes. They made sense when air mail was weighed by the 1/2 ounce, but
not by the ounce. And sometimes the cost of buying the envelopes and
handling them is more than the cost of postage. Those who swear by them
will no doubt disagree with me on that!
2. I also do not bother trying to buy foreign postage to send on an SASE.
You pay a premium for it, and you may not always send the right amount or
the right stamps (some countries use different stamps for domestic and
international mail). Especially with the recent conversion to Euros in much
of Western Europe, again it strikes me as more hassle than it's worth.
3. Some people have success with manilla envelopes. I only use them for a
particular QSL card I generate from my computer that won't quite fit a #10.
Also, some people get odd sized envelopes from the card stores (usually
leftovers after a big holiday). Nice idea, but they don't fit my printer.
73, ron wn3vaw
"You are a fluke of the Universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not,
The Universe is laughing behind your back"
-- National Lampoon's Deteriorata
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Pabish <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 8:31 AM
Subject: QSLing
Ron,
 I just read your letter to the editor in the June issue of Worldradio.
You say that you have a high rate of QSL returns. Can you give a person who
is just starting in HF and QSLing any hints to aid me in getting QSL cards
returned?
 I would appreciate any help.
Thank you.
Scott Pabish - N2GNT
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