Topband: QSLing

[F8BPN]

Hi all

>>at 3 bucks hes not getting rich on our dollars
>>with cards and return postage. In many Eu countries its over 2 bucks
>>for return postage.

Sure not! 1 $ = 0.6756 Euro (Today change)
It coast in France 0.85 Euro to send a 20g letter every where outside the
European union countries, means 1.258 $
If you add the QSL printing with 2 $ you just cover the coast.
With 1$ you don't even cover the coast for European union as the postage is
0.70 Euro.
I know in others EU countries the postage is even more expensive than in
France.

> I'm with K8FC -- I won't pay ANYONE for a QSL, and I won't QSL direct
> with green stamps, no matter how badly I want the card. If a station
> won't use either the Bureau or LOTW, I won't bother trying to work him.
> I'm retired, and I want to spend my limited free cash on things that
> matter, like a better antenna, the research that I continue to publish,
> Lester Young records, or a six pack of decent beer.

I am not my self QSLing direct very often, I use the REF Buro, it works very
well and doesn't coast me any extra money. Just need to be member of the
national society, just as it is in the Netherland and in many EU countries.
But, I do sometimes, when I work a new one on Top Band for exemple, or an
all time new one, as it won't happen too many time every year, I can do it,
and I am pleased to get
my card in hand quick. Because I am also pleased to get a real card for some
contacts. Thanks again Merv KH7C for your QSL received this week for our 160
m QSO.
I do also for some rare DX expeditions either on the online request, or by
post to participate to the coast of the expedition, sending a bit more than
the necessary for the return postage.

I agree that this QSL business can be very expensive at last, but as long as
there is the possibility to choose his way to confirm a contact by the QSL
buro or/and LOTW, I don't find anything wrong by the QSLing direct, that's
your choice.
When you send a QSL request direct, you must make sure that there is enough
for the return postage, or pay the price requested.
Just turn upset on these expeditions or guys who are "QSL only direct" THIS
is not fair, and THIS is some kind of business which is NOT acceptable!
My point of vue is that this should not be accepted, and these expeditions
not valid not DXCC or any kind of others awards.


See you on the band!

73/88 de F8BPN, Mau, Also FO8RZ (Direct, buro or LOTW), F6KLO, TM5MEM and
TM2E (2002)  (Direct or Buro) manager
f8bpn at wanadoo.fr
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ph-martin/f8bpn