[CQ-Contest] QSLing

[Ria Jairam]

I find the whole fee increase disconcerting even though I prefer LoTW over
paper cards (because I get so many paper cards!) however postage costs are
not what they used to be and I think that beyond a first contact to a new
entity and maybe band/mode qsls aren't really needed and a lotw confirm
will suffice.

For high volume countries like DL, JA, F, I, EA etc I can just send
directly to their incoming bureau. It may be cheaper and faster than
sending via ARRL. Also, aggregating with a club may prove to be more cost
effective.

Just my 2c.!

Ria, N2RJ
On Fri, Dec 30, 2016 at 7:56 PM Bill Parry <bparry at rgv.rr.com> wrote:

> 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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