[CQ-Contest] Another long DOs and DONTs of QSLing

[Charles Harpole]

SUCCESSFUL QSLing
de HS0ZCW
 
Steps in sending a direct QSL to a DX station:
 
1.     Obtain correct address via qrz.com or use the GO List for QSL manager addresses, or search the Web via Google.
2.     Consult the DX station’s web site or web information for special instructions (such as “direct only,” “no IRC,” or whatever).
3.     Send via Air Mail.  If you know the DX station has postal theft problems, send via Registered Mail (or via FedEx if you are really desperate—one good FedEx is better than three lost Air Mails).
4.     Write your own QSL card clearly in permanent black ink.
5.     Use UTC/GMT times and dates only.  Be sure to label which number is the date and which number is the month and year (for example, is  9/2/03-- Sept. 2, 2003 or is it Feb. 9, 2003 or maybe March 2, 1999 or Feb. 3, 2003?).
6.     Clearly mark if your contact was a QSO or if you are a SWL.
7.     Be sure your own call sign is printed clearly ON THE SAME SIDE OF YOUR CARD as the contact information (YOUR CALL SIGN ALONG WITH time, date, band, mode, etc.).
8.     Use very clear type face for your printed call sign.  No Old English type;  no cute curlicues, etc.  Put a slash in all zeros.  Be sure your number one, your I and your lower case l (L) are clearly different (note problems with 1, I and l, can you tell the difference?). Oh and Zero and V and U are problems.  Use upper case block letters only.
9.     If you are THANKING receipt of a QSL, mark that clearly or you will get a second card and will waste time and money.
10. Always enclose a self-addressed return envelope (sae) that has:
a.     Your complete address, printed CLEARLY, and include your 
country (not everyone knows AK is in the USA !).
b.    Do not affix postage to this envelope* unless you are absolutely sure the DX guy can use it at his point of mailing.  (I get USA postage affixed, but I want to mail it from Thailand… duh!)
c.     Try to avoid folding your sae;  use nesting envelopes.  If you just must fold the sae, never fold it exactly in half !
d.    Use press-on/self-stick envelopes and fold the flap open--that is, back over the address side so that the envelope is fully open.  OR, if you use wet-to-seal glue envelopes, which are stronger, be aware that these may self-seal in humid environments.  ALWAYS fold wet-to-seal envelopes open to avoid self-sealing.
e.     Place the non-info side of your card against the sticky part of your sae or place the green stamp against the sticky part of your sae.
f.      Do not put anything inside your sae.
g.     Write your call sign on the sae where that writing will be covered when the sae is sealed by the DX operator—in the place where the glue will stick.  This allows finding your envelope and your card when the two have been accidentally separated.
h.     Because almost all mail today is air mail,  use pre-printed air mail envelopes or print “air mail” on your sae.
i.       Envelopes that are pre-printed with “return postage paid” are GREAT !
11.  The outer envelope:
a.      Do not seal your outer envelope so that a finger can not get into the flap to open it.
b.    Use “security envelope” which has colored printing inside to retard seeing through the outer envelope.
c.     You can not configure your envelope to stop postal theft so just use normal sealing methods and skip inserting extra paper hoping to stop postal people seeing through your envelope.  Super sealing jobs invite attention of postal thieves.
d.     Do not write any ham radio information, like call signs, on the outside of your envelopes.  Use non-smear permanent ink.
e.     Use post office frank for postage.  If you affix real stamps, you invite theft of the whole envelope and contents so that the thief can steal the stamps.
12. Also enclose:
a.      USA currency ($1 is almost enough these days, $2 is better, more 
if you feel generous)**.
b.     Try to avoid IRCs because of problems cashing them in**.
c.     *Loose postage for the DX operator’s country, if you want to do an extra favor.
d.     Do NOT fold the currency bills EXACTLY in half.
e.      If you send no sae, no currency, nor stamps, expect a card back via the buro, if you get one at all.
f.       **If you are sure that the DX operator’s country forbids its citizens from having USD, it is best to include postage for that country or, in last resort, use IRCs.
13.Note that 
a.  Some operators like to get a separate card for each contact, and it 
is probably best to QSL in this way.
b.     If you send cards in one envelop for more than one call sign (generally, not a good practice), be sure to increase your donation for return postage due to increased effort and cost.  
c.     The best envelopes are made of Tyvek which is very water resistant, almost impossible to tear or puncture, but can be cut easily with a knife for opening.  Write on Tyvek only with permanent markers to avoid wet smears.  Tyvek does not take sticky labels well and needs extra long runs of good tape.
14.Look at the mail you have prepared and mentally try to use what you 
have created.  That is, put yourself in the recipient’s place and test 
your methods.
 
**Do not expect a return card just because you sent money.  Any money you send is a free gift.  If you think otherwise, then you are purchasing a QSL card which is contrary to the ham spirit.
 
Do not send a second request until 6 months have passed since the first request.  Mark your second request with “second request.”
 
Do not email the DX operator to inquire about your QSL or your contact until a year has past.  But, be guided by his web site info.
 
Be sure you have envelopes on file with your buro. 
 
Look at http://www.ac6v.com/qsltips.htm, too.
 
Enjoy old fashioned paper… it is so personal and fun !
 
A note about postal theft:  Thieves who steal mail on a regular basis seek envelopes that form a pattern:  (a) many similar ones to the same address, (b) thickness more than 1 paper sheet, and (c) from rich countries.  Thieves doing this regularly can not be stopped by inserted carbon paper, valuables hidden inside inner envelopes, or other “tricks” because they simply open ALL envelopes fitting the pattern, take the valuables, and destroy the rest (thus destroying the evidence of their theft).  Some thieves steal only for rare or odd stamps.  Ham radio QSL mail makes a very easily identifiable pattern that simply can not be defeated by the usual tricks, so skip the tricks.  Instead, try Registered Mail or, if desperate, use FedEx, UPS, or DHL.  Even if you disguise your mail to look like an advertisement or typewritten official mail, the determined regular thieves may well steal EVERYTHING to an address known to get QSLs.
 
 
WHAT SHOULD BE PRINTED ON A GOOD QSL CARD?
 
Front of Card:
1.     The call sign in clear type face (see #8 above).
2.     The DXCC entity as given in DXCC list, not just the name of a country***.
3.     ITU zone number
4.     CQ Magazine zone number
5.     Grid locator 
6.     Notation if this is an island (and IOTA number if possible).
7.     If USA, give county
8.     Latitude and longitude of the station location.
9.     Operator name and address*** or qrz.com notation.
 
 
On the front or rear of the card, this info needs to be added:
10. PSE or TNX QSL marked.
11. Use the standard info box with the info stated in this order, left to right or on two lines:
a.     Confirming QSO with
b.    Day
c.     Month
d.    Year
e.     Time in UTC or GMT only
f.      Frequency or Band (band is all DXCC wants, but lots of ops like to state the exact operating frequency in MHz—I like to put a freq that implies either SSB, CW, or RTTY;  for example, I use 14.2 for 20meter SSB and 14.0 for 20meter CW contacts as a second indicator of the mode.
g.     RS(T)
h.     2-Way Mode.
11. If a computer printed label is used, try to format the label with these same words and order of the information.
12. Sign the card with your name or initials.  For labels, make the strokes of your pen signature touch a part of your label or use a uniquely shaped rubber stamp stating “Verified by <your call sign>” that touches part of the label.
13. Repeat your call sign on both sides of a double sided card.  
14. If you must use information formats that allow marking a choice of band and mode, circle the correct band and mode words rather than marking out what does not apply.  Be clear!  
15. If you have more than one call sign on your card, clearly mark which call sign applies to this specific contact.
16.  ***If your card is for a DXCC entity that is a different country from  the mailing address, be sure to clearly state the DXCC entity for which this card applies.
17. The most appealing art on a QSL is, first, an operator photo; second, something personal and unique about the operator (family photo, pet, other hobby, etc.) and otherwise pictures of unique local items.  A QTH locator map is a nice touch.  I have seen rigs and antennas before—omit if not really unique.  Pose your face turned toward the camera in front of your rig or stand by your antenna to get it all in one photo.Charles Harpolek4vud at hotmail.com > From: Georgek5kg at aol.com> Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 14:16:46 -0500> To: CQ-Contest at CONTESTING.COM; fcg at kkn.net> Subject: [FCG] DOs and DONTs of QSLing> > Having just completed the answering of 1300+ E51 cards that have been > received, I offer the following DOs and DONTs of QSLing:> > DO use envelopes with peel and stick flaps. They speed up sealing of > envelopes.> > DO put your call sign in bold, large print on the same side as the QSO > information.> > DO enclose enough postage or an IRC to cover the cost of return postage. IF > this isn't possible, send the card anyway with a self addressed envelope. > > DO not enclose small address labels instead of envelopes.> > DO avoid extraneous enclosures. Personal notes, canceled stamps, etc. should > be avoided unless critical. Sometimes they are nice, but they slow down the > process.> > DO NOT use envelopes without glue. They have to be taped shut, and that is a > real pain!> > DO NOT seal envelopes so tightly that they can't be quickly opened with a > letter opener.> > DO NOT mix cards to or from different call signs. They really slow down the > processing of cards.> > DO NOT fold or "hide" IRCs or Green Stamps so intricately that they are hard > to unfold when opening.> > 73, George, K5KG / E51MMM> > > George Wagner, K5KG> 941-312-9420> 941-400-1960 cell> > > > **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. > (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp003000000025> 48)> _______________________________________________> FCG mailing list> Send mail - FCG at kkn.net> Change/edit subscription info - http://www.kkn.net/mailman/listinfo/fcg> FCG Web site - www.floridacontestgroup.org> Member Map - http://www.frappr.com/floridacontestgroup> DXCluster - telnet to n4ser.dyndns.org