I just finished my QSLing duties for the months of December and November. I
ended up with about 150 cards to the Outgoing Bureau. I have always QSLed
100% to cards I get via the bureau because I remembered how I I loved to get
cards back when I was younger. It is a sort of a chore these days. I have
thousands of QSLs and I don't need them anymore. I printed out the cards and
look into the ARRL website and find that the Board of Directors has approved
a substantial increase in cost. For years the bureau has been the QSLing
route of choice of young folks and people without a lot of money, since the
cost was very nominal. Now, when I calculated the cost of using the bureau
it is $1.15 per ounce and a $7.00 service charge. In my case $23.10 for
less than 150 QSLs. (This doesn't include the cost of the stamps to get the
cards to the bureau.)
I have been a life member of the ARRL since 1979 (and I might add a major
supporter). When I paid the membership fee it was substantial for a young
school teacher. Now I am finding that the ARRL is continually reducing the
value of the Life Membership by continually adding charges for things that
used to be free.
I believe that the ARRL is so invested in LOTW that they are trying to force
everyone to use it instead of paper QSLs. I love LOTW and use it for ALL my
QSLs but a lot of DX still don't use it. Not sure what the solution is.
Maybe I'll just start tossing the incoming bureau cards in the trash (no I
won't do that). I am very disappointed in this decision by the Board of
Directors. Another one of the "services" that are no longer services but are
something you have to pay for. I am sure glad my cost of my prescriptions
aren't set by the Board of Directors.
Bill W5VX
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