[Dx-qsl] US Buro Mgrs: How many QSLs to exceed 1/4 inch thickness?

Wed Jul 28 08:48:41 EDT 2010

My experience is that our cutoff will be about three ounces of cards - which 
is 23 to 25 cards depending on the average paper weight of the QSLs. 
Thinner, paper type cards means we can go towards 25 cards (or even 26 if 
they're thin enough), and thicker card stock or larger size QSLs (e.g., JA 
QSLs) means fewer cards towards the three ounce limit (23, or even 22 for 
"double" cards).
The W3 buro permits any size envelope, but the most common size envelopes 
are 6" x 9" clasp style envelopes. For active users getting three ounces in 
a mailing, I will place about 9 QSLs in a stack and slide them down the 
envelope with the longer width the QSL matching the 6" side. A second stack 
of 9 QSLs will then be placed next to the first stack. To ensure "semi 
rigity" and apparent envelope uniformity, I will then place the remaining 
QSLs on top of the two stacks.
I do not use rubber bands or clips as I don't want to trigger the USPS 
"uneven" or "unbendable" rates. I also pull clasps off envelopes.
Its been reported that ome people have gone up to four ounces - about 32 to 
33 cards in a 6x9 envelope, but an envelope of that size looks thick to me. 
If people have successfully done this without triggering the "flats" or 
"non-machineable" rate levels, let us know.
If you bureau allows only #35 envelopes, you are going to have an envelope 
penalty and be limited to no more than 2 ounces as you can't stack more than 
10 or 12 cards in a stack without being over 1/4 inch in thickness.
Finally, one trick to increasing card volume is to use a lightweight 
envelope. You can get self-sealing 6"x9" poly envelopes which weigh a lot 
less than a paper envelope, and are likely stronger than the manila 
envelopes. 200 can be obtained from Ebay for about 12ドル.00. Of course, 
you'll have to add weight for labels which have to be affixed to the 
envelopes ink does not adhere well (except permanent ink markers which seem 
to work OK)
73 Rich NN3W
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Goeppinger" <timgep at yahoo.com>
To: "dx qsl" <dx-qsl at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 12:29 AM
Subject: [Dx-qsl] US Buro Mgrs: How many QSLs to exceed 1/4 inch thickness?
I have a question for U.S. buro mgrs and sorters:
The US Postal Service has changed the rules in the last couple of years
regarding the
thickness of letters. Anything over 1/4 inch thick and rigid, and the item
is considered
as a package, and is sent at a higher rate. Because of this, my envelope
with 50 cards
in it arrived today with 62 cents postage due.
Is there a rule of thumb that I can politely tell my sorter what is the
maximum number
of cards he can send, and still be considered a "letter"? I realize the
thickness of
QSLs can vary, but I am just looking for a rough estimate. Maybe I should be
asking for the number of ounces? Mine was about 6 ounces.
Tim K6GEP
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