Is it about the money?

[WA8MEA]

OK.  I can understand a BIG Special Event event.  One that maybe lasts for a long period of time and takes a little money to feed the crew and print up some nice CERTIFICATES. (Route 66 and 13 Colonies comes to mind.)  I don't mind donations for that.

In fact, I use to chase certificates for special events.  And I would always toss in the requested donation OR donate a couple of bucks if a certificate were involved.

It got to the point that I couldn't handle all of the certificates I was getting so I had my print shop reduce their size to that of a post card and laminated them.  And after deciding to do that, I opted out of asking for certificates henceforth and just requested a simple QSL.  I ALWAYS included an SASE for QSL requests.

Then I run into a lone wolf operator who decides to do a holiday SE station for a weekend from his residence.  He doesn't offer a certificate; so I send the traditional SASE.  I receive a QRZ page print-out back, using my SASE, that states he not only wants an SASE....but $1 - for a simple QSL CARD.  And then he goes on to state that no E-QSL's or LOTW will be honored whatsoever.

Don't put me in the 'cheap ham' category because it's only a buck.  But he's wasted my SASE with the ink he wasted printing up the refusal of a QSL.  And his refusal at E-QSL and LOTW makes me wonder if he isn't trying to get enough donations for a nice used rig.  I mean....500 contacts over a weekend might net you a sharp lookin' Heathkit.

Again, we are talking about a lone op, refusing all E-QSL/LOTW and NO CERTIFICATE; just a lil' ol' QSL card.

Not sure what to think on this one and really the first time I've run into something like this.  It's hard to look inside a man's heart; but actions also speak loader than words.



 

[KG4RUL]

I am one of the 13 Colonies operators from SC and I know that we basically break even in the end if DX operators send the required postage amount.  For example a lot of DX operators send a $1.00 when postage is actually $1.10 to their country.  So, when a stateside operator sends a buck along with their SASE or a DX operator sends an extra buck, it gives me some funds to make up the difference from the DX operators who don't send the full amount.

As far as my personal operations go, a SASE sent with your card gets a return card.

[WA8MEA]

Hello Dennis....

Your Special Event is one of the best out there and I wish others would pattern theirs after yours.  Thanks for helping put it on every year.  Your events has three ops scheduled for each state.  Even if one op comes down sick, two ops can handle the slack.  I wish other big SE's would adopt your plan.

You brought up an interesting point.  So I looked up this ham's 'one by one' on DX Summit....just to see who he had worked.  Just one DX spot out of the whole mess.  And the others?  The time of day(s) and the band he was operating would have only yielded stateside contacts.  Yet ANOTHER case for making this just a quick weekend buck.

Your comment lead me to dig into my trash can to once again look at the print-out that he mailed me, just to see if he had instructions for DX contacts.  Sure enough, he states a self-addressed envelope and $2 USD. So....a DX QSL card costs 95 cents to mail (excluding VE & XE, which cost less....).  Therefore, he would actually make five cents more on DX stations.

Probably the clincher in this case: He also states NO QSL BUREAU for DX cards! 

[AC4RD]

I am one of the 13 Colonies operators from SC ...

I sure have enjoyed working you guys the last couple of years.  VERY nice operation all around, and a lot of fun for everybody.  (Yeah, I know this is off topic but what the heck.) 

Me, for a special event station where I actually want a card, I send a SASE and most of the time I throw a "green stamp" in to help with bureau cards, printing, etc.  Not all the time, but over half the time.  You guys put on the show; it's up to the rest of us to help out, at least a bit. :-)

Some of the "13 Colonies" cards I got this year were REALLY nice.  And I had a lot of fun working the stations I worked.   As WA8MEA said, it's a classy operation and a lot of fun--congratulations to everybody involved!  (Yeah, OK, not on topic. Sorry.  But still ...)

[KU2US]

Hi: Im Ken-KU2US The 13 Colonies event manager. If you want a QSL card, only an SASE will suffice, in fact when there isnt an SASE I will still send the card. Yes, the event costs $$$$ to the tune of several thousand. The stamps are the largest expense- +++ thousand!, with all the large envelopes, certificate printing, QSL card printing, labels and other stuff. I was only in the red during the first year in 2009, because we didnt know what the response would be. I put in $900.00 of my own funds to get this started, and seeing what the event has become, I consider it a donation. Many operators do include a $ to help for a QSL and we thank you, but not required. ALSO I would like to thank those who send in a "Above and beyond donation" for their certificate. I may not get back to you, but it is really appreciated. Again, not required. Every year the event gets larger, and it is very hard to plan in advance the supplies needed. I find that I always under estimate. We all have fun and try to make it fun for you folks to. As far as the Op who wants $1 or $2 for a QSL?, well I will leave that up to your discresion. See you all this July-73-Ken