With all due respect to K9YC, my experience as an incoming QSL bureau
sorter tells a somewhat different story. During the three years I've
been a sorter, almost 400 "3Q" have received cards. The average number
of those receiving cards on a regular basis is about 50. The majority of
those receive up to 5 cards, with a few averaging 20 or more -- mostly
active contesters and DXers. I feel safe in saying that most of the
cards that come through me come from Europe, DXpeditions, QSL managers
and contest operations (the IARU contest generates lots of QSLs). I
suspect the reason 95% of Jim's cards are from Japan is that the
majority of his QSOs are with JA's. That scenario simply isn't the case
here in the east, although I don't keep track of the origin of the
cards. I don't send out cards on more than quarterly basis unless asked
to do so, and can't say how long the end-to-end process actually takes.
I'd be curious to know how long it takes from when a DX station sends
his card to his outgoing bureau; when it's sent out, when it gets to the
ARRL or individual incoming call area bureau (some of the IARU societies
send directly to the individual call area incoming bureaus, others send
all of their cards to the ARRL who then forwards to the individual
incoming bureaus). Yes, the bureau process is slow, but inexpensive
(averaging $0.10 per incoming card). It was never intended to compete
with direct QSLing or LoTW. I suspect most use all three methods and
choose the one most appropriate to fill a specific need. Personally, I
like getting cards. I'll pay for those I want (need?) directly, and use
the bureau for the rest. I use LoTW, too. If someone sends me a cards, I
feel obliged to return one to them. I don't think the various methods
compete. My "customers" (for lack of a better description) seem very
appreciative of the volunteer service we sorters provide. To each their
own... 73, Eric W3DQ W3 "Q" incoming bureau sorter ----------------------- From Jim Brown<k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com> on Sat, 8 Aug 2015 07:50:58 -0700
On Sat,8/8/2015 12:43 AM, Oliver Dr?se wrote:
Com'on, then use the ARRL bureau and DX cards will cost you next to nothing! We
have a superb QSL bureau system in most of this world's
countries ... Yes, it will not work for all DX
If you think the Bureau system is "superb" you probably don't use it. The
Bureau system is essentially broken. MANY hams do not participate,
some countries do not have bureaus, and it is VERY VERY slow. Many hams who
operate in small countries use QSL managers in countries where
return postage is $3, and who do not respond to cards sent via the Bureau. I
know that because I sent them cards through the Bureau. I
receive at least 500 cards a year from the Bureau, 95% of them from Japan. On
average, those cards are for contacts that are 21 months
earlier. Thus, a turnaround time of 3 1/2 years. I've sent thousands of cards
to the Bureau, with very poor return of the cards I needed for an
award.
and yes it depends on your ARRL membership, not a bad thing.
<the rest deleted by W3DQ>
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