[Dx-qsl] QSL METHODS

Fri Aug 25 10:22:24 EDT 2006

I think one (of many) of the problems with Logbook of the World generating better acceptance is the invalid assumption that it is meant to whole-heartedly replace the physical QSL card outright.
More hams need to realize that LotW is meant to SUPPLEMENT, not SURPLANT, the traditional QSL card.
Yes, there are stations who will decline to issue the physical card in favor of the electronic log confirmation, more's the pity. But overall, this need not be the case. 
Once more grasp that it's not an "either/or" situation, and further grasp the side benefits (not just the cost savings, but the fact that LotW acts as a backup for your entire log, now and for the long term, to name one), I'm hoping that we'll see even more amateurs beginning to use the system, to the overall benefit of us all.
Of course, every spring, I keep thinking that the Pirates may actually finish above .500 for the first time since the early 1990's, so what do I know?
73, ron w3wn
From: "EDCINTEXAS at austin.rr.com" <EDCINTEXAS at austin.rr.com>
Date: 2006年08月25日 Fri AM 09:02:10 CDT
To: dx-QSL at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Dx-qsl] QSL METHODS
I have only about 12000 QSOs in LotW out of some 25K in my ham operations.
The older half of the 25K is older and more VHF/UHF from the 60's. I have
only a 7% rate on LotW. Yet that looks good compared to the buro return
rate. 
I have sent out perhaps a 1000 buro cards in the last two years. The return 
rate on those is 1/2%. The direct cards have a fairly good rate (if you
leave
out a few well known stinkers). Direct runs between 80% to 85% depending on 
how you wnat to score it. 
I wish that more DX used Lotw. Heck I wish we could get more US/VE hams 
to use LotW. But do I want to do away with paper, NO! Even if IOTA and some 
others would take LotW, I still get a thrill out of the paper cards. Shucks 
I spent several evenings in the last two weeks resorting the cards on hand. 
I started a project to scan all of my cards starting with the 321 countries 
I've worked (of course some of those are deleted status). The cards do 
give me alot more pleasure than the LotW confirmation.
But LotW is a very cool thing. I'll bet if the expeditions only allowed 
on-line checking of "in-the-log status to those who were registered in 
LotW, the percentage of LotW users would skyrocket. Of course some scheme 
would be needed to guarantee the major expeditions that they would still 
get the same contributions. The on-line "see if you're in the log" now 
possible on the internet does change the DX game but I think that that too
can
add enjoyment to the hobby just as LotW can. 
I don't think cards will go away for a long time. But I do think that if 
LotW was more universally accepted and used, it could replace or eliminate 
the buro system which despite many people hard work still doesn't work too
well (in my experience of 40 yrs). 
Just one OMs thoughts. Regards Ed KE3D 
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