[UK-CONTEST] OT: RSGB move and QSL bureau - closure?

[Don Field]

Mike

It is worth pointing out that, historically, the bureau was run off site
(G2MI and then G3DRN). In recent years the despatch of books, etc, as well
as the production of RadCom has been moved off site. The exact
arrangements are yet to be determined, but it is entirely possible that the
existing team could bid to run the operation - unlike in government matters
(!) the RSGB is by no means constrained to taking the cheapest offer!
Certainly Colin G3PSM and I, and no doubt others on the Board, will want to
be sure that the service remains at the present level, or better. The
exchange of QSL cards is as poular as ever - LoTW, etc. are pretty much
irrelevant - they complement rather than replace traditional QSLing and
there is no wish to remove one of the main reasons people join the Society
(that would be madness as it would lose members - why do you imagine it
would be countenanced?).

I am surprised to see postings by sub-managers to the effect that they are
unaware of what is happening. I briefed Marc G0TOC on the background and he
runs the sub-managers' reflector. Can I suggest they ask him for a briefing.

Uninformed speculation simply raises emotions! Yes, it would be nice if all
aspects of the move had already been communicated to members but, frankly,
it is many faceted and the details need to be worked through. But that is a
management issue - many companies do similar things and have to keep
services running over the transition - the RSGB move falls into the same
category.

Regards

Don Field G3XTT


On 16/12/2007, Michael Ruttenberg G7TWC <g7twc at rutty.eclipse.co.uk> wrote:
>
> I don't disgaree with the hard work on planning that RSGB and those listed
> below have done, but now RSGB are dealing now with pure costs alone. What
> gets sold off/retired next?
>
> The bureau is still popular and more visble to the membership than
> planning
> and yet this is being outsourced to some organisation that presumably does
> it for the lowest cost (and has little or no understanding of what it's
> all
> about - just see 1980s/early 90s Britain for the privatisation mess).
>
> If offloading the QSL bueau takes place then could we have the OPTION
> placed
> whereby we can subscribe to:
> 1. RSGB only
> 2. QSL bureau only (I imagine this would be quite attarctive to those that
> don't want to pay some £44 for RSGB subs but wouldn't mind a smaller fee
> for
> the bureau)
> 3. both
>
> Mike
> G7TWC
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "G3SJJ" <g3sjj at btinternet.com>
> Cc: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 11:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] OT: RSGB move and QSL bureau - closure?
>
>
> > Totally agree with you Neil. I also think that off-loading QSLs would be
> > a good idea. It must be a drain on Society resources.
> >
> > Over the years the Sociey has attended various conferences and
> > negotiated numerous aspect of our licencing conditions on the world
> > stage. We have indeed had the services of emminent and experienced
> > people such as G3FKM, G3HCT, G3OZF(G3BJ), G3MXJ (F5VHY), G3PJT, G4JKS.We
> > currently have G3PSM and G3XTT fighting for us. Interestingly many of
> > these have also served on the RSGB HF Contest Committee, as well as the
> > likes of G3SXW and G3TXF.
> >
> > QSLing pales into insignificance at the side of these stalwarts of RSGB
> > and the contribution we owe to them.
> >
> > Chris G3SJJ
> >
> >
> >
> > G3RIR wrote:
> > > Those who think that QSL bureaux is the most important reason for
> their
> > > membership of RSGB should I believe stop and think how many of the
> amateur
> > > bands would still exist if it were not for the work of the RSGB with
> the
> RA
> > > (now Ofcom) and at the spectrum conferences.
> > >
> > > There wouldn't even be a need for a QSL bureaux if we lost our amateur
> > > bands.
> > >
> > > Neil, G3RIR
> > >
> > > Member RGSB since 1962 and a regular user of the QSL bureaux but more
> > > importantly a regular user of the 80,40,30,20,17,15,10,2,70cm bands.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> > > [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ian Fugler
> G4IIY
> > > Sent: 16 December 2007 01:19
> > > To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> > > Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] OT: RSGB move and QSL bureau - closure?
> > >
> > > Mike
> > >
> > > I also noticed the 'non-mention' of the QSO buro service.  I simply
> assumed
> > > that it would transfer with the new RSGB HQ.  As a QSL sub-manager, I
> have
> > > not been advised otherwise.
> > >
> > > Ian G4IIY
> > >
> > >
> > >> What it doesn't say is that they are NOT taking the QSL bureau with
> them;
> > >> indeed I hear that there is no room for the bureau in their tiny new
> > >> premises. A source tells me that the bureau's paid staff (and many
> others)
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >> are being made redundant and RSGB will try to outsource it somewhere.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > UK-Contest mailing list
> > > UK-Contest at contesting.com
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > UK-Contest mailing list
> > > UK-Contest at contesting.com
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> > >
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > UK-Contest mailing list
> > UK-Contest at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> >
> >
> > --
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.2/1185 - Release Date:
> 15/12/2007 12:00
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>