[Mldxcc] ARRL Rasies Fees on Outging QSL's, In case U missed this one

[Rick Bates (WA6NHC)]

In keeping with the military concept, the ARRL is SNAFU, frequently in cluster f*** mode, generally northeast coast oriented, stiff necked on changes to keep current with many modern practices practices such as server redundancy, web page code and many other areas which is surprising for a technology oriented group (and ALWAYS seeking more funding with whine-o-grams).  So the QSL and LOTW situations are of no surprise.  FUBAR is expected.

The LOTW situation is only one example, being complicated and convoluted while disallowing something as simple as deletion or editing of erroneous entries (making the database bloated, slower and demanding more resources, simply stupid).  There are simpler ways to provide a better level of security, even banking online is simpler.

I know this thread wasn't intended as an ARRL bash, but they're still the only game in town and more is expected of them.  It's disappointing in so many ways.

73,
Rick

Spell Czech happens

> On Sep 23, 2016, at 10:02 AM, Rick Samoian <ricksamoian at outlook.com> wrote:
> 
> I completely agree with your idea.  Clublog is a great resource and is EZ to use, many more use it than LOTW.  And they should be acceptable to the ARRL.  That said, the ARRL/DXCC attitude is NIH, not invented here (just like the military) so it's no good from the get-go, and not likely to change anytime soon...........de Rick,W6SR
> 
>> On 9/23/2016 9:39 AM, Rick WA6NHC wrote:
>> The ARRL could simplify set up to use LOTW and improve up/download security at the same time to encourage more DX stations to use it.  Having seen how it's set up, it's a wonder that it works at all.  Even better let Clublog manage it, at least the respond and update the system in a timely manner.
>> 
>> Being a CA station, one 'advantage' is that no one (except JA) wants your card.  It's been decades since I printed any...  But LOTW is faster, potentially near real time at little or no cost, so I's expect the QSL service to fade out like the postal services threaten...
>> 
>> 73,
>> Rick WA6NHC
>> 
>> On Sep 23, 2016, at 9:13 AM, "jerryolive at comcast.net" <jerryolive at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> I send out a box of QSL cards annually; usually in March.   I don't  even try to keep up with the pricing.   I look it up when I need it and just go with it. 
>>> 
>>> No mention of the volume though. I suspect the volume is declining at the outgoing bureau with LoTW,  Clublog,  and a receding sun spot cycle. 
>>> 
>>> Jerry KD6WKY
>>> 
>>> Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE device
>>> 
>>> ------ Original message------
>>> From: Rick Samoian
>>> Date: Fri, Sep 23, 2016 09:03
>>> To: mldxcc at contesting.com;
>>> Cc:
>>> Subject:[Mldxcc] ARRL Rasies Fees on Outging QSL's,In case U missed this one
>>> 
>>> FYI:  Looks like the ARRL wants to go out of the paper QSL business?  This will cut down on how many of us answer those card requests from the same station year after year requesting a paper QSL card.  Notice the additional $7 per transaction fee in addition to the $1.10/10 cards.  So LOTW is now the "only reasonable way to QSL"......de Rick  
>>> ARRL Outgoing QSL Service to Raise Rates
>>> 
>>> 09/22/2016
>>> Although ARRL believes it’s important to maintain the long-standing tradition of theARRL Outgoing QSL Service as a membership benefit, increased administration costs will require an increase in rates, in order to keep the Service available and viable.
>>> 
>>> “The Service has been a member benefit for decades,” an ARRL statement said. “Since its official formation in November 1976, tens of millions of QSL cards have been shipped from ARRL Headquarters to Amateur Radio QSL bureaus of other national societies worldwide. At one time, this benefit offered a safe, reliable, and inexpensive way to exchange QSL cards for a fraction of the cost of the postal service. What Amateurs saved in financial cost, however, was made up for in time; it could take months, or even years, to send and receive a QSL through the bureau.”
>>> 
>>> Effective November 1, the rate for 1 ounce of outgoing QSLs via the Service will increase to match the 1 ounce USPS international postage rate. As of September 2016, this rate is $1.15 per ounce — about 10 cards.An additional service fee of $7 will be charged per individual transaction, to cover administrative costs.
>>> 
>>> ARRL said QSLing is very different now, and, while postal services are generally more reliable than in years past, international shipping costs have risen significantly. “With the advent of the Internet and online QSL confirmation services such as ARRL’s Logbook of The World, fewer and fewer paper cards are being exchanged,” the ARRL statement observed.
>>> 
>>> Calling the Outgoing QSL Service “a significant tradition in the world of Amateur Radio,” the League said it’s committed to keeping that tradition and service alive for members who enjoy using it. “We are committed to ensuring our members will be able to send their QSL cards through the Service for decades to come,” the ARRL statement concluded.
>>> 
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