Topband: QSLing

[Steve Miller]

To add to what Tom said, with the dollar losing value to the Euro (and 
it is only going to get worse), we're on the losing end.   Postage has 
always been higher in Europe and the weak dollar hurts QSLing even 
more.  If we want the QSL, we're going to have to bite the bullet.  
Steve N0SM



Thomas Hoeppe wrote:
> Unbelievable, but true: In Germany we need 1,70 Euros for a oversea letter. 
> So if you add 3 dollars to a QSL request to Germany, the 30 cents left will 
> just cover the costs for the QSL, not more! There is no "donation" left! 
> Nobody gets rich, hi.
> I know a German manager, who is collecting the letters with unsufficient 
> postage (2 dollars mostly), prepares the letters and takes them to a trip to 
> the Czech Republik. It takes a bit more time, but the everyone gets his 
> card...even without postage covered! A perfect service, I would say...
>
> So I am happy about every manager, who just wants the costs covered!
> Otherwise I ask myself why there are so much managers without using 
> buro-systems! When I made my license I learned: "A manager is a HAM in a 
> land with QSL service, making the QSL traffic for somebody in a land without 
> QSL service."
> That seems not be true nowadays...in too much cases you don't have the 
> decision if you send direct or via buro!
>
> 73s from Bavaria!
>
> Tom, DJ5RE/DL0AO
> www.hoeppe.name
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "F8BPN" <f8bpn at wanadoo.fr>
> To: "TopBand-list" <Topband at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 11:51 AM
> Subject: Topband: QSLing
>
>
>   
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - TF4M 
>>     
>
> _______________________________________________
> 160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - TF4M
>
>
>