Most of the cards I've been getting lately have either been filled out by
hand, or the label has been either signed or stamped in some way to indicate
"verified by" the QSL manager(s) and their assistant(s).
While it is true that it's not that hard to make up a card, making up a full
color glossy card using the same photo(s) as many of the DXpeditions use
today, well, that's another story. And I really can't believe it would be
worth all the time, effort, and money to duplicate most of these cards, and
make them convincing enough to pass muster -- and why would you bother with
anything but the toughest ones anyway?
I think we can accept, though, that if someone is really determined enough,
they can fool the system -- and since people check the cards, mistakes
happen and invalid cards are sometimes accepted (and good ones not). Be so
as it may...
Look, the electronic QSL concept isn't neccesarily a bad one. eQSL.cc's
implementation of it has, sadly, left a lot to be desired -- they may have
been "first," but I sure wish they'd gotten it right instead.
But what keeps getting overlooked, in the zeal of some to get their printed
eQSL .jpg files accepted, is that what's really important isn't the eQSL
"card" but the log data behind that card. Now come up with a way to
securely store and access that log data, so that any organization issuing
awards can electronically verify an award application without having to
check over QSL cards, and you've got something that's a real breakthrough.
And those of us who still feel the old fashioned "QSL card is the last
courtesy of a QSO" mantra can still exchange cards either via paper or
electronically as we so choose.
73, ron wn3vaw
"There's No Crying in Baseball!"
-- Jimmie Dugan, "A League of Their Own"
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Osborne <w7why@harborside.com>
Reply-To: w7why@harborside.com
Organization: Amateur Radio W7WHY
To: CQ-Contest <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] eQSL change of policy
Jim Idelson wrote:
> What do the DXCC Rules say?
>
> "2. Written Proof: Except in cases where the rules of Section IV >apply,
written proof (e.g. QSL cards) of two-way communication >(contacts) must be
submitted directly to ARRL Headquarters for >all DXCC credits claimed . . .
Most of the cards I now get just have a label affixed to them.
Anyone can get (or make) a card and print a label. They are
rarely signed any more and they usually cone in an envelope so
they have no postmarks or stamps on them. I remember the last
time I got a bunch of samples from a QSL card printer they had
some pretty good DX cards in them. Just print out some labels
and stick them on a card and mail them in. How is that more
secure than an eQSL?
Tom W7WHY
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