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[Articles Home]  [Add Article]  

Domestic QSLing

M. Edwin Goss (N3CW) on February 1, 2004
View comments about this article!


Here's what I think about domestic QSLing: The whole process (addressing the cards, mailing costs, buying envelopes, etc) has become a bit burdensome and expensive. I propose a QSL contest/event to be held at fixed intervals like once a year or once every 3 months. Ideally, all those entering are interested in obtaining QSL cards. The interest can be for a variety of reasons, such as working for an award like WAS, or just for the sake of collecting the cards. Instead of sending in a log, the entrant sends in a batch of filled in QSL cards, and enough postage to have a batch of cards sent back to him. The sponsoring organization (here's the trick -- who will volunteer?) sorts all the cards and mails them out to participants. Kind of like an ad hoc domestic bureau, but one that only has to operate periodically. With fixed contest/event intervals, folks will know when to get on the air to take advantage of this QSLing approach, and they may have a better chance of obtaining a rare Nevada or Delaware QSL.

--Ed, N3CW

Member Comments:
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KC0NYK on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Not a bad idea, just the problem of who will take on the task....seems that there might be a way to do it, but it would require a ton of dedication and effort; not to mention a heck of a club area.

I will bet there are some really smart people out there who can come up with a solution.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by WO8USA on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Good idea, but I thought that was the intent (without the periodicity) of the state QSO parties and Sweepstakes. I love to QSL and am with the idea 100%.

If its just for the purposes of QSLing, I don't think any logging/checks would really be necessary, other than for maybe a web page and advertising. QSLs would be between the parties involved.....but the lack of a competition might keep some from participating. It could get really complicated if someone wanted it to be.

I think I'll stick with the QSO party system.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by W8FAX on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Well..........Get busy and start contacting organizations and set it up. Let us know how you come out...........
 
Domestic QSLing  
by WB2TPS on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Maybe the ARRL will do it. Lets call it Logbook of the World.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by NE1RD on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
This is an excellent idea. The FISTS organization
offers such a service for its members:
http://www.qsl.net/w4fcr/fists/fist.html

I've finished my WAS for random bands and would
now like to complete first a couple of single bands
and then, ultimately, a 5BWAS. I went through my
log last night and found about 30 cards I need to
mail out to begin filling in that matrix. There are
still many band/state combinations blank, though.

As a fellow once told me on the air: "You buy
these awards (WAS, DXCC)". He was right, of
course. You buy them with printing costs,
postage, evelopes, and time. For me, the costs
are worth it. You're supposed to waste money
on a hobby. That's the point of it!

Finally, eQSL is very, very inexpensive and addresses
some of this. No, you don't get a piece of paper in the
mail. No, it isn't an award system sanctioned by the
ARRL. That's OK with me. I'm not working towards a
5BWAS or DXCC to impress the ARRL; I'm doing it
because the challenge is fun for ME. If I happen to use
eQSL, LoTW, or cards as a way to keep score, that's
my own business! (IMHO) I honestly don't understand
some folk's aversion to this idea. <sigh>

Such mechanisms are usually organized around the
call districts. I'd suggest trying to get 9 others to at
least discuss the idea. Maybe it would fly! Good luck.

-- Scott (NE1RD)
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KG4TDJ on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I find it interesting that many hams are concerned about the postal costs and devise clever ways to get someone else to take care of their correspondence requirements.

Some of the same guys who flinch at the "postal costs" will go to a ham fest or use the internet to lay out $4, $5 or more thousands of dollars for radio gear or the even larger sums required for the purchase and installation of a tower and offer little complaint. Why they are even some hams who have incredible sums tied up in a truck or motor home in which their radios live.

Give it a rest guys, buy a few rolls of 23 cent stamps and send you Domestic QSLs direct.

John
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KG4IHJ on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
AMSAT does this, but only for satellite contacts. Here's the website:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/amsat-na/qslburo.html

I haven't used it, but I'm sure it's great.

Ryan
KG4IHJ
 
Domestic QSLing  
by D0NUT on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Rare Nevada?

QSL direct in the US is cheap! Our postal system works fairly well for 23/37 cents.

Joe
 
Domestic QSLing  
by WS4Y on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
As was mentioned the FISTS CW club offers a
domestic QSL buro service for its members. I
am a member and have used and received cards
via this service. This is one of many good
reasons to join this FB outfit. Check out www.fists.org
73, Bill WS4Y
 
Domestic QSLing  
by N9AVY on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
10-10 Net International Net just started a domestic bureau for members. (www.ten-ten.org)


Jerry N9AVY
 
Domestic QSLing  
by N4CQR on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I like the idea.

Craig Still
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KA5N on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Just about every endeavor today is geared to reducing hard copies of whatever. Almost every commerical organization is trying to get you to pay electronically instead of by check/snail mail. It seems to me that QSL's in the form of jpg attachments to emails would do just as well as snail mailed hard copies. Want hard copies print'em out. Worried about authenticity? Scanned info pages with signatures should be ever bit as good as mailed copies. It seems that the powers that check QSL's are the ones that are behind times if they refuse anything except mailed hard copies of QSL's.
73 Allen
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by N4CQR on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
And to that, I agree 100%

Craig

--
It seems that the powers that check QSL's are the ones that are behind times if they refuse anything except mailed hard copies of QSL's
--
 
No thanks! Not for me.  
by W8KQE on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I can appreciate the idea, but when all is said and done, I don't think domestic direct QSLing costs all that much when all things are considered. Most people are willing to spend some bucks for their hobbies or what they are passionate about in the first place. If expensive rig sales are any indication, then this bears out. Even used rigs cost money. In addition, most of us don't QSL every domestic QSO... only the states, counties, or grids we NEED to confirm, and usually over time, so the cost is not much when spread out. Also, many QSL's have become much more affordable today, relative to their cost and inflation as compared to previous years, due to low cost QSL companies, or home PC printers. I am not going to name a specific company, but there is one that charges $9.99 for 100 cards over the net. Not bad! And then there is the time convenience factor of QSLing direct, and having the potential to receive a card back within a week. That can't be beat! My gripe is when I go to the extent of sending out an S.A.S.E. to a correct address, and the other ham does not respond at all, or sends me his QSL back as a 'postcard' (not protected by my paid envelope, and prone to damage in transit), or by eQSL! I realize that perhaps we all can't afford to QSL, but for chrissakes at least drop me a post-it note in the envelope, and TELL me you don't QSL, or whatever, so I know where we stand! It's common courtesy from one ham to another, you would think. My 2 cents.
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KX8N on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
The more QSL cards, the better :)
 
Domestic QSLing  
by NG1I on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I'm a go for the domestic QSL change......I still like the QSL buro for DX though...can't beat if time is not a factor.
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by W4KRH on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
"Give it a rest guys, buy a few rolls of 23 cent stamps and send you Domestic QSLs direct. ..."

No kidding. Geeze...just send the dam card via postal mail. You just might make someone's day.


73 de Ken
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KA2LIM on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
1. Fill out your card to the station you worked and want a card from.
2. Put your card in an envelope addressed to the other station along with a SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE.
3. Mail it at the post office.
4. Now wait for the card to come to you.

Pretty simple....

Ken
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by NI0C on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
As was said earlier, the most practical way to make this work would be to plug into existing contests such as ARRL SS and/or the various state QSO parties. I doubt there would be much enthusiasm for operating, or even participating in, such a QSL bureau though.

This is the second short "article" in recent weeks concerning domestic QSL'ing. I'm wondering why it is such an issue. Domestic mail delivery is still very reliable, and hams generally QSL. Even if you splurge on printed envelopes and provide an SASE for all QSL's you mail, you are still spending at most a dollar per card. That's about a third of what it costs to do direct QSL'ing to foreign countries.

Then there's the brand-new Logbook of the World system of electronic QSO confirmations that should help alleviate the costs of both foreign and domestic QSL'ing. Check it out if you haven't already. Only a few days ago, I got Vermont confirmed on 160 meters this way.

73 de Chuck NI0C
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by WB4QNG on February 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Not a bad idea if you can get the volunteers to do it. Still though if everyone would stick a 27 cent stamp on their card their wouldn't be a problem
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by K6IPF on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
(1. Fill out your card to the station you worked and want a card from.
2. Put your card in an envelope addressed to the other station along with a SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE.
3. Mail it at the post office.
4. Now wait for the card to come to you.)

Pretty simple....

That's the way I do it......Simple system....Pete/k6ipf..
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KF6GOM on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
fantastic idea, i would donate time for this idea.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KD7EZE on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
QSL cards = more dead trees, & more garbage in the landfills. If you make a contact, you know you made the contact; why then do you need some piece of paper telling you that you made a contact? Besides, plastering these things all over your walls is trashy. Just my personal opinion, my 2c worth, etc.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by N9AVY on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Seems to be a lot of whining about the cost of domestic postage. Geez, 23 cents is not going to break anyone ! The complainers probably spend a whole lot more on cigarettes & booze. These are probably the guys who are running FT-1000's, big Alpha amps and antenna arrays that would make most of us drool.

If you really want/need a QSL spend the money on postage both ways or settle for LoTW or eQSL.
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by WB2LCW on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I think that a system where you can create a Qsl certificate,And e-mail it to the recipiant.
This certificate can at the top have a banner callsign,and
below it the pertinant information.
Bellow that you can have pictures of the QTH,shack,antennas,workshop and a Bio and description..

Also this certificate can be printed out and framed or put in a binder.Also this would be backed up by LOTW and E-qsl for for thr actual verification..

what do you think about this system ? nothing in the snail mail and you still have a paper Qsl!

Regards
Mike Tenore WB2LCW
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by W0FM on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I feel very passionate on this one. Time and time again, I see guys moaning about the cost of sending QSL cards rising. Holy cow, guys! The cost of EVERYTHING has risen since I first got my license in 1962.

I've said before on this site that I'll wager that the PERCENTAGE I spend on QSL cards for my hobby is still the same PERCENTAGE I spent on the hobby 42 year ago.

Back then, antennas were cheaper, rigs were cheaper, callbooks were cheaper, coax was cheaper. Like everything else, the cost of our hobby as a whole naturally increases over the years. BUT, I submit that the cost of sending a QSL card amounts to the same percentage of my hobby spending today as it did in 1962.

It's kinda like saying, "I'm not going to put up an antenna, they have gotten way too expensive these days". Get over it.

73,
Terry, WØFM
 
Domestic QSLing  
by N5WC on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
There are already some groups providing a domestic qsl service to their members. The 3905 Century Club has been providing this service for many years. Just send ur qsls in batches to the manager and keep some SASE's on file for return cards.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by NE1RD on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I agree with the assessment "it is just a stamp, get over it"
covers the problem for most of us. I'm looking at the costs
of a 5-band Worked All States. The math goes something
like this:

Card $0.10
Envelopes x2 $0.16
Stamps x2 $0.74
Total USA QSO $1.00

5BWAS QSOs 250
Return rate 70%
Total needed 325

Cost for award $325.00

Now I'm sure everybody will argue with the numbers (you
could have saved 2-cents on the cards... envelopes don't
cost that much... multiple band/state combinations might
be covered by a single card... I just like to argue... etc.).
Still, I hope we can agree that the general deal is this:
it costs about a buck to send out an SASE with a card.
Only about 70% of such cards come back (why I can't
get a fellow ham to send me back a card when I send
him one with an SASE is a topic for another day).
So, I'll need to get about 325 cards out for this award.

That's $350. For some, that starts sounding like
a very nice HT. For others, that's a used HF rig that
could go in the car. For others, that amount of
money might represent a vertical to be installed
at the vacation cabin. You know... real money. :-)

Finally, for students it might mean the difference
between trying for such an award and being priced
out of the market for it.

I filled out another dozen cards this weekend and
they hit the mailbox this morning. I've got about
20 more in the log that need to be sent out. My
roll of stamps is getting short so I need to tell the
XYL to get me another roll (@ $37).

I'm happy to be doing it. I'm having a ball. The
$37 doesn't hurt (too much!). But, for some, I
could see where it might be a bit uncomfortable.

We tell hams you can put up a station on a shoestring.
Homemade QRP rig, $10. Wire antenna, $5. Getting
5BWAS priceless (OK, $325 <grin>).

That was my big point. Flame away! 73 to those who don't!

-- Scott (NE1RD)
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by AD7DB on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
The cost of postage goes with the hobby. It's materials.

On most direct QSLs, I send my card along with an SASE in a larger envelope. 34 cents + 37 cents plus the cost of the two envelopes and the cost of the QSL card.
 
Domestic QSLing  
by K0AMZ on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
(1. Fill out your card to the station you worked and want a card from.
2. Put your card in an envelope addressed to the other station along with a SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE.
3. Mail it at the post office.
4. Now wait for the card to come to you.)

Pretty simple....

Then wait and wait and wait and find another person in that state. I'm still waiting for 10 cards mailed out in Dec with sase that were never returned.

Galen
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by N2WEC on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I must be cheap. I worked satellites for quite a while. I sent my cards as post cards. If my card or courtesy for sending it is worth anything I will get a card back. If not, well I'm out the $0.23 and call it even. I do the same for domestic / Canadien V/UHF SSB contacts. I get about a 65% return. I can deal with that. No Need for a domestic bureau. Who wants to wait for an event or another slow bureau system.

Bill - N2WEC
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KL7IPV on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Our Las Vegas radio club has 200 members. There are other clubs in Nevada as well. And we are "RARE"? Interesting. Email me and I'll work you and send you a QSL or an eQSL Your choice. I'll even pay for my own stamp.
73
Frank
KL7IPV
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by N6AJR on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I worked long and hard to get where I am financially, and I can afford to send cards at any time..

I have a few favorites, like I just got a card from Dave Brown on pitcarin island, and will display that card along with the pitcarin stamp at my station.. next to the one from Tom Christian, (6th generation removed from fletcher, I think he said).

I like the Idea of having a bit of history here and there, and even domestics are fun..I sent some to old (1978 ) qsl cards I had if they had the same address listed..telling them thanks for a qso from 25 years aog..

qsl cards are part of ham radio.. if ya can affford the stamp, get out of the hobb.. you don't have enough money to play..
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by AJ3U on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I considered organizing a "Domestic QSL Buro" in the past months, but after running some numbers and really thinking about it, it quickly became obvious that it would likely fail for two reasons which are in contradication to each other: 1. A majority would have to participate for the buro to be effective, and 2. If a majority participate, the staffing at the buro would quickly become overwhelmed.

1. In order to be effective, a certain minimum number of Amateurs participating in the buro would be required. Let's face it, many Amateurs are set in their ways (for either convenience or habit) and would not be likely to participate in this new buro until everybody else does. You have a problem of "I'm not jumping in until the other guy does". As a result, nobody jumps in. In the meantime, cards sent for them to the buro will remain at the buro.

2. On the flip side, if the buro idea does take off and everybody starts using it, then there would be a "high volume" problem. Can you imagine if say 1000 fairly active Amateurs starting using the buro? The work required to sort the incoming cards, track everything, and get the cards back out would be overwhelming for a volunteer force. I participate in the 3905CCN buro which was mentioned earlier and send about 20 cards in a week. If there were 1000 Amateurs that did that, that would be 20,000 cards showing up at the buro in a week. I'm just pulling random numbers, obviously, but I think that is a reasonable number, IF the buro becomes popular. That is well beyond the scope of a volunteer effort. The only other way to do it is to make it a commercial effort and have paid employees at the buro. Anyone using the buro would have to pay a fee. The costs of doing it that way would probably begin to defeat the purpose of starting the buro in the first place. The only Amateurs that would benefit would be the ones doing an extremely high volume. If everyone doesn't benefit, everyone won't participate and we're back to problem #1.

I'm pretty open to new ideas, but I just can't see this Domestic QSL Buro working. Sorry!

A.J. Farmer
AJ3U
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KL7IPV on February 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
N6AJR, I do that too, usually around Christmas. I pick out 4 or 5 and mail them a new QSL card. Sadly, I find out they have passed away. Some I don't hear from but a few I do. Makes it fun to go back and thank them for being part of my own ham radio history.
73
Frank
KL7IPV
 
Domestic QSLing  
by AE9B on February 3, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I tend to agree that the costs are not unreasonable. If I only needed 50 States times 6 bands times .37 cents per request, that would be $111.00 in postage which is not very unreasonable and anyone owning an HF rig can afford over time. When you're an active contester you might get that many requests every week. I don't subsidize other people's efforts to get my card and don't expect others to subsidize my efforts. If I want a card.. I'm willing to pay for the postage. If not... I must not want the card too bad. I enjoy nice cards, and appreciate the effort guys go to, to make a nice card.

Best wishes,

Tom
AE9B
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KI9A on February 3, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I do alot of contesting & DXing...to the tune of about 15,000 QSO's a year. I recieve around 2,000-2,500 cards a year between the dx buro, sase, & direct-no return postage.

I return these cards 100%. I get about 50-50 SASE's, & non-return postage cards. I take the time to fill out the addresses on the non-return postage cards, print the labels for the qsl info, & sign my name to each of them. I also have a job that I work 40 hours a week, a kid, & some other time consuming hobbies such as old car restoration. I do sleep, & I do find time to operate!

C'mon guys, don't be so dang tight with the dollar!

73-Chuck KI9A
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KI9A on February 3, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
NE1RD writes:
Card $0.10
Envelopes x2 $0.16
Stamps x2 $0.74
Total USA QSO $1.00

5BWAS QSOs 250
Return rate 70%
Total needed 325

Cost for award $325.00

True. BUt still very cheap! Take a fisherman. After the outlay of boat, rig to pull it with, tackle, ect, you have the same basic outlay of cash as a typical ha with rigs, towers, amps, ect.

The fisherman needs bait. He needs gas for the boat & truck. He needs maybe fees to launch the boat, fees to stay aat the resort. You can make a loose comparison to us with QSL's. QSL's look pretty darn cheap now.

Like I said in the other post, I mail out (returned) QSL's, about 2000 a year. I spend about $130/year on QSL cost, & God knows how much postage on guys who don't include SASE's. But, that doesn't bug me! After being a ham since 1978, having 10,000+ cards in boxes, I still get a charge out of getting a card int he mail, I don't care if its a sack from the buro, or another Illinois station! QSL's are part of what we are.

73-Chuck KI9A
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by NE1RD on February 3, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Chuck,

I agree. The math was so we could see what we're talking about.
By the way, I have one of those cards you've sent out.
THANK YOU!

That said, there are organizations such as the county hunters
who have set up things to reduce costs for their members. If
you need 3000+ counties confirmed then you start looking
for ways to reduce cost. I can see both sides, I guess.

I know one thing: I sure like getting those cards in the mail!
What a great hobby!

73!

-- Scott (NE1RD)
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by KE2IV on February 4, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I rarely, if ever anymore, send QSL cards.

Nowadays, I run a lousy 100 watts to a 135' ladder line fed doublet for basic HF operating (even works - a bit - on 160M).

Whether I work you in the US or IgorPatelMiguelAbdul in who knows where - I am happy.

I do not ask for QSL cards and don't need them to satisfy me.

After 40+ years, I feel it's "been there done that".

The downside is: I don't have a DXCC certificate to hang on my wall!

Well, you know something? I don't need it to know where in the world I've worked!

I just have fun doing radio and couldn't give a squat about proving it with postcards!

73,
George
KE2IV
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KE4KVW on February 4, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I think someone else posted something about the cost of postage for qsls here a while back! The answer is either pay UNCLE SAM for some stamps and send the qsl card,not send the card and just know you worked them,or take up a CHEAPER hobby.Growing PLASTIC flowers requires a ONE TIME investment(for the flowers) and look how many you can buy with the cash from your Ham gear you sold before taking up the NEW HOBBY!No watering, feeding,electricity,or upkeep other than a little dusting every now and then!Just let them sit andbe PRETTY!You do NOT even need to sit them in the sun since it will fade them as well as cause them to dry out and eventually ROT!I hate to hear that the hobby is getting so expensive when they are just about giving away the NEW rigs these days! $.23 is just way out of line and we should stop using the U.S.and other postal services and show them we will deliver our on mail!We CAN do it CHEAPER or even for FREE!I am so glad God has blessed me with enough of HIS money to also enjoy my hobbies (Bass fishing,Nascar,Hunting, as well as Ham radio)73,sKE4KVW
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by W7KB on February 4, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
At least it's not the code no code again.
During certain contests it's not uncommon to work in excess of 1,000 Q's. Do this during contest season and several thousand Q's result.
In Utah, my qsl request rate remains around 60%. After each contest I get tons of cards.
If you do some math you can see that at the post card rate this amounts to a pretty big chunk of change.
"Give it a rest guys, buy a few rolls of 23 cent stamps and send you Domestic QSLs direct" is not the answer. Not all people are in the hobby to collect qsl cards. If thats your gig, sending an sase is the best way out. QSL'ing is a courtesy, not an obligation.
$5 or $5,000, its my hobby money and increasing spending on Post Office charges does not make for better communication from my station during an emergency. With that said, I DO QSL. I DO discard most cards that arrive without sase.
The time involved to process the above mentioned cards is another story. Quick turnaround is difficult when you A. work for a living
B. Have a half ton of cards to process
C. Post Office is distant and not in the normal path of travel and D. The process time is also valuable play time on the radio.
Kick the tires and light the fires.
 
RE: Domestic QSLing  
by N9XMX on February 5, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Is HAM radio full of complainers! Boy give it another day or two and you guys will figure out how to turn this into yet another CODE vs NO-CODE debate.... HI HI

Really... I'm only about two years into having HF privalages. As a active father of two children I only have so much time to play with my radios. I'm still trying to earn a WAS (basic). I understand some folks are on limited budgets ( retired, large family, health ect..) and have no problems sending a SASE. If it's a card I really want I send a SASE. All others get a card without a SASE. It's easy and what the H*ll, you might just make someones day!

An old Elmore once told me the QSL is the final part of the QSO. He said some day you'll sit back and enjoy past QSO's by reading and looking over your cards. Well, he's right... in fact I've used it as a recuting tool with Non-HAMS and by Scout troop. These cards are a great way to show others how far away your HAM friends are.

I'm 36 years old, and getting a QSL for me is like a 7 year old in a candy store.... I want another!

Please please promote HAM RADIO, we need to see some growth and younger people in the hobby. Just ask yourself, how have your promoted or recruited to the service in the last year? JOTA??? GOTA???? Special Events These are all great, but a QSL is the easiest cheapest way I know! Send those cards and use them as tools to promote the hobby!

Now as for my WAS:
CQ CQ DE N9XMX - MN CO ID AR MS RI AK PSE PSE PSE K - HI HI

73
N9XMX - Jerry
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KC2LSU on February 5, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I just love QSO's; my wife on the other hand yell's at me over the money I spend on making and mailing out cards, (and cards with sase's to biger contest stations.)

I've decided the only way to do this and stay in my budget, is to look at the standings from previous contests. If a callsign has more than 250 QSO's then I'm going to send them a SASE, if they have less than that many, then I feel they can affort return post card postage

So far in my six months in the hobby I have participated in two ARRL VHF contests, and they were both a BLAST!!!! Especially with my homemade 6 element, 6' boom yagi which rotates around on the patio deck tower. (8' above the earth)
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KC2LSU on February 5, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I just love QSO's; my wife on the other hand yell's at me over the money I spend on making and mailing out cards, (and cards with sase's to biger contest stations.)

I've decided the only way to do this and stay in my budget, is to look at the standings from previous contests. If a callsign has more than 250 QSO's then I'm going to send them a SASE, if they have less than that many, then I feel they can affort return post card postage

So far in my six months in the hobby I have participated in two ARRL VHF contests, and they were both a BLAST!!!! Especially with my homemade 6 element, 6' boom yagi which rotates around on the patio deck tower. (8' above the earth)
 
Domestic QSLing  
by KM5EW on February 8, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
The OM International Sideband Society operates an excellent QSL bureau for members and non-members alike that make contacts on the OMISS nets. Here's the URL:

http://www.omiss.net/

I've been an OMISS member for 11 years, and it's a great way to earn WAS and other awards!

Warren Rowe / KM5EW
OMISS #3198
Temple, Texas
 
Domestic QSLing  
by K3CW on February 12, 2004 Mail this to a friend!

Speaking of QSLing...

Ed,

I think the DX bureau inadvertantly sent me some of your cards (either that or you have no envelopes on file and they figured my call was closest).
Please contact me if you want me to send them to you.

(Sorry to send this to the list but N3CW has no email address listed.)

Chris
K3CW
mertivsvyna at yahoo dot com

 
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