Topband: Fwd: V84SAA QSL- some additional thoughts...

[k1zm at aol.com]

From: k1zm at aol.com
To: daraymond at iowatelecom.net
Sent: 2019-04-18 8:05:23 AM Coordinated Universal Time
Subject: Re: Topband: V84SAA QSL- some additional thoughts...

Hi DAVE and 160m friends.
I happened to see this email this morning and I thought I might like to comment.
As far as I know - there is no ***requirement*** to make a donation to receive a V84SAA confirmation - but I do think I remember hearing that for those that DO, confirmation would be more immediate.  This is how many dx'peditions are handling things these days because they are hoping to receive some funds after the fact in order to offset the huge expenses of putting a major dx'pedition like V84SAA on the air.
Operations USUALLY WAIT a period of time (often 6 months as I recall) to do MASS LOTW updates because, quite honestly, they are hoping for some donations from those who want a more immediate confirmation.
Now let me also say that I personally have nothing to do with the qsl side of this - I just WORKED GUYS with a Topband focus while I was there - HI.  I was there at every NA opening (except for one) when personal circumstances prevented me from being there and S55M covered for me that night.
However, as an insider, I can also add that the team had to shoulder an out of pocket expense of $47,000 USD to make this happen - and that this was **over and above** the team member contributions to do this one that were collected from each V84SAA participant.
So please do understand that these things don't just happen - somehow they have to be paid for....and also forgive me if some out there think that having a policy of providing an EARLY confirmation also asks for a modest contribution is asking too much - nonsense is my opinion.
As I understand it, a general LOTW update will follow - and cards can be had from an application to LZ1JZ at any time.
73 JEFF   K1ZM
In a message dated 2019-04-18 1:17:42 AM Coordinated Universal Time, daraymond at iowatelecom.net writes:

Greetings topbanders. . .
My recent comment about the quick confirmation via LoTW brought multiple private responses with comments questioning the need for a donation to receive speedy V84SAA LoTW confirmation.  Several asked why I would even make the requested $5 donation.  I felt the modest $5 donation to the operation was well worth it for the speedy LoTW confirmation.  By the time I filled out the card, addressed the envelope, put sufficient postage for foreign delivery on the envelope, put money in the envelope, get it to a mailbox, hope that it might actually get there un-pilfered, and then wait months for the card hoping that the foreign postal services actually got it to the USPS so it could be delivered. . . .well, I figured the $5 donation was about a break-even point (or less) as compared to mailing a printed card and “hoping.”  Plus, I didn’t mind at all making a rather small donation to a first rate operation with a real low band focus (which it most successfully had).
73. . .Dave, W0FLS_________________Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector