At 23.33 06/11/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Behind as usual, but I had to get my two cents' worth in on this one.
>
>I am an active contester and though not making as many QSO's as the
>multiops I routinely run off 1500-2500 QSO's in each of the seven major DX
>Contests each year. Plus I enjoy getting into the regional and
>single-country DX contests as well (with the exception of the WAE) so that
>is several thousand more contest QSO's each year. Plus I operate each year
>for about a month from HS0ZAR which runs up another 2000 or so QSO's
annually.
>
>Like ON4UN I love QSL'ing. And I don't use labels but I (or the XYL) fill
>out each QSL by hand.
>
>I keep a record of all stations I have worked outside the continental 48
>with my K3ZO call in 11 analog books (because the system was started 14
>years before I had a computer and I don't feel like doing the keypunching
>necessary to data-process it up to date) which are at my operating
>position. If I hear a particular station I can look up the call
>immediately in this set of books. If I am doing general DX'ing I only call
>stations self-defined as "rare" and which I have never worked before on any
>band. (I make exceptions to this rule on 6 meters). That is why you will
>frequently see me spot a station on packet that I am not working at the time.
>
>At the end of each contest I do the following:
>
>1) Use a search-and-replace program to slash all of the zeroes in the
>callsigns of the stations I have worked.
>
>2) Print out a copy of my log which goes into a binder. A new binder is
>started each year.
>
>3) Have Word-Perfect sort my contest log in alphanumeric callsign order.
>
>4) Go through this sort with my system of 11 books and mark each log entry
>which is a never-before-worked callsign (Yes VX3EJ will get a QSL even if I
>have worked VE3EJ before).
>
>5) Deliver the completed log to the XYL who proceeds to fill out an
>expensive, multi-colored QSL -- which I have printed in Thailand -- for
>each entry.
>
>When I receive a direct QSL which requests my QSL, I answer the QSL
>directly whether or not return postage is received, and whether or not I
>have already sent a card to that station via the Bureau.
>
>When I receive a bureau shipment (thanks NY3Y for taking such good care of
>me!) I do the following:
>
>1. I sort the cards into four categories:
>
> a. QSL's which say "Tks QSL" -- filed with no further action.
> b. QSL's for K3ZO
> c. QSL's for HS0ZAR
> d. QSL's for other stations which have come to me by mistake.
>
>2. I begin answering cards for K3ZO, using the PVRC club cards which a lot
>of us in PVRC use. I start with the binder for the current year and work
>backwards. As I pull cards to be answered out of the Bureau box, I sort
>them by year of QSO, while at the same time answering immediately those
>which are in the binder for the current year. I then go through each year's
>binder in turn until I am finished.
>
>3. I begin answering cards for HS0ZAR, where the QSO sheets are in a
>separate binder.
>My HS0ZAR QSL's were also printed in Thailand, and though not expensive I
>think they are reasonably original and attractive.
>
>4. I go through the cards in category (d) above. If they were meant for
>some other USA station but were sent to me by mistake, I mail them to that
>station at my expense.
>If someone had me down as manager for someone I am not manager for or for
>someone I am no longer manager for, I do have a series of labels which
>explains the problem and returns the card through the bureau back to the
>sender. If someone busted my call, there is a label for that problem also
>and the card is returned to the sender without action. Ditto with those
>who are not in my log. (Yes, I check the log entry faithfully for every
>QSO before I answer).
>
>5. All SWL cards are answered in the same manner they are received, but I
>do not keep any of them except the odd one from a UA9 on 160 meters, etc.
>etc.
>
>All of the non-lower-48 QSLs I have received for my K3ZO, W9SZR and W9SZR/3
>calls are filed in alphanumeric order by callsign in 80 metal file drawers
>(no I am not a stockholder in Steelmaster but I should be).
>
>I admit that the QSL's I have received for my HI8XAL, HS1ABD, HK3NBB,
>LU5HFI, HS0ZAR operations etc are not yet so filed BUT SOMEDAY THEY WILL
>BE!
>
>Now fellows, if I can do all of this, I find it hard to believe that you
>can't at least answer the direct cards you receive!
>
>73, Fred
Hi Fred,
this is one of the reason for which one of us stops waiting you finish your
qso before calling you. And if no success at second shot, personally I wait
till I can work you, even if you are not a multiplier!
Since this year, a lot of stations have begun to test my "deafness" in
their repetitive calls during contests. I filled my personal black list of
these "friends" and they will never be contacted by me during the following
contests.
It's a shame having worked 51 times a vy famous station in your area and
never got ONE card back.
Fred, you correct habit will assure you a never-ended pile-up.
Ciao Sante
--
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Sante Lillo, IK0HBN | Home telephone: +39-761-407543
Localita' Saineta, 3 | Fax on request : as above
01030 Bassano in Teverina (VT) Italy | Cell. telephone: +39-338-6825052
E-Mail: ik0hbn@isa.it | packet: IK0HBN@I0INU.IUMB.ITA.EU
Home Page: <http://www.qsl.net/ik0hbn>| DX cluster : IK0HBN > I0JBL-6
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