[Dx-qsl] re: QSLing, from newer ham

Mon Sep 13 12:16:54 EDT 2004

Peg...some great comments. I think this discussion may have been less focused at folks like you that are handling DX cards, or me, but more the 'county hunters', etc. Sadly, there are no 'US to US' bureaus, but the county hunter net does have one specific for their hobby.
I think, however, your comments are right on the money. Managing QSLs, even your own if you're running a rare county, state, etc, is a thankless job. I find often that folks can get very anxious about the QSL....in the era of 'instant gratification'...people expect the QSL instantaniously .....from which the birth of e-qsl, LOTW and the like have come. Bottom line...if you REALLY want the QSL, I'd recommend a SASE. If you can't afford the SASE, I'd do whatever you can to get the SASE (send a 23 cent stamp and a label, or send a card)...but realize you're not going to be as successful. If you're chasing counties, use the County hunter net/bureau. If you're chasing a rare grid...try to work two stations, maybe one will come back to you quickly. I'm sure there are some folks that are hams on a tight budget, especially in these lean times....but realize the person you're sending the card to may be in a similar place. 
I find hams to be generally pretty great folks......just realize that QSL chasing is part of the CHASE......if you work the QSLs as hard as you work the CONTACT for whatever award you're chasing, good things will happen!
Now....just to be clear on how a QSL manager might look at how to do cards, here are my rules, in terms of priority for processing cards:
-direct QSL with sufficient return postage is first priority. However, this means one call per envelope, not multiple calls. This signals to me that you're not in as big of a hurry, and as a result, I treat it as such. 
-direct QSL with no postage. I print these in the same order as direct with Postage..but they are returned via the bureau (see below)
-direct QSL with multiple calls per envelope. This is a second priority...and can substantially slow the reply, as it requires me to have all logs, all qsls, and multiple sorts. THis can take from a few weeks per call to a multiple months. I STRONGLY SUGGEST one not take this approach if they want one card in particular, as it can cause a 'bureau like' reply if one of the cards is one I don't do on a regular basis (old logs, and in particular, old PAPER logs)
-email bureau requests (because they're easier to sort thru than the 'paper' requests
-bureau cards
Now, a short note on bureau cards. The ARRL charges 8ドル/pound to mail bureau cards. Incoming cards, thanks to the W9 bureau guys (who get even less praise than QSL managers, and about as much grief...so take time to thank your bureau workers!!!) come to me in large boxes when they fill them. I do NOT get bureau mailings each month, largely because I can't afford to have them come regularly, the W9 guys do their best to minimize my bureau costs (THANKS PHIL!!!). Once I get the bureau cards, I tend to do them once a year, as best I can, and staggered based on call. Once they're done, I tend to mail them myself to avoid the 8ドル/pound, and unless it's a popular bureau, I mail once a year or so.... You can read into this that a bureau card is a multi-year reply for many folks. Sorry, but the process takes that long.
I have posted many logs to LOTW...and continue to do so as I find time. There are some great countries, such as BS7H and BQ9P on LOTW...so go get 'em!
I know a few people are not happy with the way I do things, but I know most are....so I do what I do, and thank God I have a few pairs of asbestos underwear!
73