Survey Comments
QSL cards
I'm still testing for my novice ticket but am an avid listner and tracker of open bands.
I do send E-mail QSL's on distance and if E-mail address is logged in the call database .else I still follow up with a post card to the address.
I'm just a RECer at this time but my sense
on this topic..Send the wall paper! HiHi
73's all
Posted by
KB1THH on 2006-12-20
qsl cards
I send qsl cards if asked but i will send cards to the real oldtimers.some of them like to get mail and i think they appreciate a card now and then. ka9hjz
Posted by
KA9HJZ on 2006-12-13
QSL cards.
I still would rather get QSLs in the mail. I have never used the electronic qsling.
Posted by
WB4TJH on 2006-11-17
Not Surprising
Not surprising that paper QSLs got the most votes. Heck, I love paper QSLs. But I also think LOTW is great and very modern and easy to use. When you consider the number holding onto paper QSLs and the number still holding onto CW, well it's just the mindset of grasping to the old and familiar.
Posted by
WB8NUT on 2006-11-11
PROGRESS...YES
It is ALL in THE SPIRIT OF FUN...But? Would you prefer to have to WAIT... for that radio you've always wanted, or prefer having it in stock NOW when you want to order? Would you prefer to have to WAIT, for HELP to arrive if you need it? Do you like standing in a long line for food and after you order it WAIT, another hour for it to be served? Do you prefer INSTANT RESULTS for a Lab test called for by your Doctor, or WAITING in FEAR or PAIN, so you may be treated properly? OK...OK, I am over stating this in FUN, but as a few have honestly written here, The computer, and email to a Ham these days is "THE ICING ON THE CAKE!" And I would venture to say that there are FEWER HAMS, that dont use a computer in these times. As is written here already..."IT IS PROGRESS!" It is a thing that keeps us MOVING FORWARD in the spirit of INVENTION! Just as in "PSK or DSP!" It is simply a choice that you freely have that in many cases "HELPS MOVE, VALUABLE INFORMATION!" I truly do RESPECT TRADITION but I am also willing to open my heart and at least TRY new things before, I close the door on it! As Hams we BOAST about being able to go in to an area that has been DEVASTATED and set up VITAL COMMUNICATIONS, with "GREAT SPEED!" I do RESPECT TRADITION, but I've found nothing major wrong with PROGRESS, or with EQSL!
Posted by
NE5C on 2006-09-01
All three.
Most hams, like myself, prefer a paper QSL. But, that doesn't mean we don't also send out LOTW and EQSLs. BOB and I do give the QSL courtesy by EQSL, LOTW and Paper QSLs.
Posted by
SSBHAM69 on 2006-09-01
No tacking on the wall!
I prefer the old fashoned way, perhaps because I don't contest or have a lot of QSOs.
I recall that Mom and Dad did not like me tacking the cards on my bedroom wall back in 1951.
73 Hil
Posted by
N5AX on 2006-09-01
Instant...EVERYTHING
"It is ALL in THE SPIRIT OF FUN...But? Would you prefer to have to WAIT... for that radio you've always wanted, or prefer having it in stock NOW when you want to order? Would you prefer to have to WAIT, for HELP to arrive if you need it? Do you like standing in a long line for food and after you order it WAIT, another hour for it to be served?"
An old truism: ANYTHING WORTH HAVING IS WORTH WAITING FOR!
Tom KB5DPE
Posted by
KB5DPE on 2006-09-01
Instant...EVERYTHING
By the way, I don't stand in a line waiting to order my food. I am seated at a nice quiet, comfortable table, relaxed and usually sipping a cocktail when I give my order to my server. In these surroundings, I am not in a hurry. More often than not, the result is definately worth waiting for!
Tom KB5DPE
Posted by
KB5DPE on 2006-09-01
Instant...EVERYTHING
By the way, I don't stand in a line waiting to order my food. I am seated at a nice quiet, comfortable table, relaxed and usually sipping a cocktail when I give my order to my server. In these surroundings, I am not in a hurry. More often than not, the result is definately worth waiting for!
Tom KB5DPE
Posted by
KB5DPE on 2006-09-01
One Choice Missing
I couldn't pick any of the answers, because none of them fit. In my case, I QSL upon receipt of a SASE.
Posted by
K3AN on 2006-08-31
Wondering why.
K3AN, why do you only send a QSL card upon receipt of a SASE? Do you ever make exceptions? Do you send a SASE whenever you request a QSL card from another ham?
Posted by
AI2IA on 2006-08-31
QSL's
Paper, LotW, Eqsl. I qsl 100% no matter what !
Posted by
WA6BOB on 2006-08-31
QSL's
Paper, LotW, Eqsl. I qsl 100% no matter what !
Posted by
WA6BOB on 2006-08-31
QSL Cards
You can't hold on to an electronic QSL card. Getting a QSL card in the mail is much more satisfying.
Posted by
KD6WKY on 2006-08-31
QSL's
I keep a good supply of cheap QSL cards on hand should anybody request one. I gladly pay the postage and send it out real quick. I do not require one in return. I have worked many countries on DX and I must say I'm very proud of my record. What I do not need is some certificate telling the world that I'm a hot operator. I know what I have worked, it's in my log and that's good enough for me. I consider every new country added to my list as a victory. Awards and contest's are not in my theatre of operation.
73, Dan
Posted by
N1GXC on 2006-08-30
When it reaches the point..
Some hams feel they need the QSL card as proof of the QSO for DX awards, contest awards, etc. When they don't get those QSL cards they become angry. At first thought this is only a natural reaction. Yet, you have got to think it over. If collection of the award gets to mean more to you than your skill and quality of handling the contact, you have become something other than a radio operator. Don't let that happen to you. Resolve to savor both the skill of the contact and the joy of the award. If this means that you have to bite the bullet on a few QSL cards, then let that be a test of your balance and good attitude. The best award you will ever get comes from yourself in knowing that you know what you know, and you know that you know it.
Posted by
AI2IA on 2006-08-30
QSL CARDS
The ONLY way I want to QSL is "snail mail" OR via my personal email using an attached file of the QSL card. NOT interested in ANY kind of logging program. I still keep paper logs and do not intend to change. Those of you that want to give control of your logs to someone else just go right ahead.
Posted by
N4VNV on 2006-08-29
8% ... KI4FIA
KI4FIA, I absolutely concur with your post! It's pathetic when you send out even repeated S.A.S.E's (and know the address is correct), and get no response in return. Even if you don't QSL at all, or you decided to change hobbies, your address, or join the 'non QSLers protection program' in hiding, or whatever, you can at least write me a quick note on a post-it note or piece of toilet paper letting me know I won't be receiving your QSL now or ever!!!
Posted by
W8KQE on 2006-08-29
Not Hand Written
I have to confess that while I exclusively use Paper QSLs, I do use the computer to fill out the information. But, if you saw my handwriting, you would understand.
Posted by
KG4RUL on 2006-08-28
Paper QSL of course.
Hey, thanx fer that mathimatical analysis. I aint so good wit da numbers but you really cleared it up fer me. Heck I aint so good witta computer either. But luckily I can still get a paper QSL.
>>>Upt to 26 days and paper still leads 2:1.
>>>Posted by KG4RUL on August 26, 2006
Posted by
SSBHAM69 on 2006-08-28
eqsl.net
All the rare qsl's i've gotten via eqsl.net are printed on photo print quality paper. There "is" a space provided for a nice comment to the other station, not just some prefab thing you've made up when you design the card. Guys, i'm holding in my hand "paper" cards from all over the world. I even got an email confirmation via email that these qsl's were in my inbox on the eqsl.net system. Just getting an email that a dx operator has sent you a card to me is fantastic. You can print them out like i do on fancy photo print quality paper and they look as good or better than anything i ever got in the mail. As far as qsling goes just do what ever floats ur boat, but i just can't understand all the fuss about qsling via the internet. A "paper" card is simply just that. It makes no differance if you had to wait weeks to get it and there's all kinds of postmarks on the outside or you downloaded it from a internet server. The idea is to get that qsl...these internet service systems make is so nice. Sure if you're a tight wad and don't want to print them out then you have to just look at them on your computer or save them to disk. Even that way though you'll always have them, if the home catches fire and your shack burns, they're still right there on the eqsl.net system to go and download again. There's just not a thing to fuss about. If you can't type you can even do it with one finger. WR8D just scratching my head looking at all these "paper" cards i'm holding that came off the eqsl.net system.
Posted by
WR8D on 2006-08-27
Paper QSL's are best
Paper QSL's are classy. Nothing beats a QSL card written in the author's own hand.
Posted by
K2DGM on 2006-08-27
LoTW
Three weekends ago I made 147 QSOs all with North American stations, all on Saturday. By noon on the following Monday I had 31 LoTW confirmations from those QSOs (none since!). Since then I have received one QSL in the mail from those QSOs. Yes I like QSL cards, but at 31 to 1 I'll take LoTW any day. 73 W0EEA
Posted by
W0EEA on 2006-08-26
To the 8%....
To the 8% who don't QSL: Would you please be so kind as to send back my SASE with at least something inside??? Local newspaper article, church newsletter, anything. Otherwise, I have visions of you putting an address label of your bank on top of my address, and then sending in your car payment with my 39 cents attached.
;-)
73, Bill - WA8MEA
http://HamRadioFun.com
Posted by
WA8MEA on 2006-08-26
To the 8%....
I would be happy just to receive my SASE back empty. At least then I know that I need to look for another ham in that State, Country, or Grid Square to work inorder to get it confirmed.
George - KI4FIA - QSL's 100% of all QSL's rcvd with or without SASEs
Posted by
KI4FIA on 2006-08-26
When you send a card
When you take the time to send a QSL card, paper, electronic, or other, send it because it is the right thing to do. Everytime you get a return, take it as a compliment, because the other ham took his time to acknowledge you. When you don't get a return, be content with your log entry and move ahead. Give the other ham the benefit of a doubt. Be happy. My two best QSL cards are these: one is yellowed around the edge with age and written in the shaky, but neat hand of an old-timer. The other is just a plain white postcard sent almost a month after the QSO with an apology on it. Some folks on Social Security just don't have much. Others are just not interested in giving a reply, but let them go. The good cards you get will far outweigh the bad ones you don't.
Posted by
AI2IA on 2006-08-26
QSL CARDS
At one time when young, I had my whole shack, all four walls cavered with QSL cards. Very attractive wall paper and impressive to say the least.
W6TH
.:
Posted by
W6TH on 2006-08-26
Paper Still Leading
Upt to 26 days and paper still leads 2:1.
Posted by
KG4RUL on 2006-08-26
E QSL NOT Mature....
Electronic QSL is better now than in the beginning, BUT still has a long way to go....
LOTW is NOT exactly user friendly, And as mentioned, EQsl is not worth much..........
"real" paper cards are still THE way to go!
Posted by
K9KJM on 2006-08-25
The future of QSLing
Logbook of the World is the future of QSLing.
eQSL is not and, because of its unwillingness to adopt reasonable security measures, will not be acceptable for the most widely followed awards programs.
Hard QSLs will reamin a "fun" way to remember special events and QSOs but with the cost of cards exceeding $4 or $5 per card in some cases (e.g. US amateur to German manager), the days of the physical QSL are numbered, particularly for active amateurs chasing awards like ARRL's DXCC Challenge.
Posted by
K4IK on 2006-08-25
Hooked but don't realize it!
K4IK raises some very sound points, and especially for contestors, he seems to suggest the best way to go regarding QSL "cards." However, this is part of a bigger problem.
Computers have become essential for most things. We really can't do without them. Yet, if you are without a computer for a month, see how lost and out of touch you feel! In regard to QSL cards and also many other things important to you, take the challenge and intentionally do not touch your computer for four weeks in a row. It will seem like an eternity, but experience what that denial will do your life and your thinking. When you go back to your computer, you will look upon it much differently, I assure you.
Posted by
AI2IA on 2006-08-25
$4 - $5 per Card???
Even if you get a full color photo cards from UX5UO you won't pay $4-$5 per card.
Full color cards will cost you about $0.07 each card (1000 cards for $70). Postage for US to US will run you less than $1.00 if you include an SASE (even less if you just send card w/out SASE).
Even when I include postage for a direct DX card I only have about $3.00 invested, less than a $1.00 for US....
For me I don't like eQSL's and LOTW is a nightmare to get setup on your computer.
Plus with real QSL's you sometimes get nice notes from the other ham which it offers a personal touch that eQSL's and LOTW can't offer.
George - KI4FIA - QSL 100%
Posted by
KI4FIA on 2006-08-25
Real QSL cards are best...
I have tried eQSL and did not like it. Most seem to use the canned eQSL cards which do not capture the personality of the operator.
Like most I find it much more rewarding to send and collect a real QSL. Everyone has a different one and most put alot of effort into having a great card.
In my opinion having an album of cards is much nicer than looking at pictures on a computer.
VE6XL
www.ve6xl.ca
Posted by
VE6XL on 2006-08-25
My preference?
WA1SCI wrote, "So... would you rather fly microsoft flight simulator, or would you rather fly a real plane? Same difference."
But I would much rather crash while using the simulator!
Scott N0IU
Posted by
N0IU on 2006-08-24
After 37 years on the air, I still prefer the KISS method...Keep It Simple, Stupid. I like to end a nice qso by filling out a QSL card, putting on a stamp, and dropping it in the mail. No computer crap to have to mess with, program problems, passwords, or other garbage just to send/get a simple QSL card.
Posted by
WB4TJH on 2006-08-24
After 37 years on the air, I still prefer the KISS method...Keep It Simple, Stupid. I like to end a nice qso by filling out a QSL card, putting on a stamp, and dropping it in the mail. No computer crap to have to mess with, program problems, passwords, or other garbage just to send/get a simple QSL card.
Posted by
WB4TJH on 2006-08-24
Get it in writing.
Regarding QSL cards, the best legal advice is still the best amateur radio advice. Get it in writing. Would you want an electronic birth certificate? How about an electronic deed to your house? How about your life savings managed electronically with no paper backup whatsoever? Do these sound good to you? In the twinkling of an eye, Big Brother can make you a non-person. By the way, do you keep a paper copy of your FCC license, or do you prefer to have absolutely no paper record of it at all? Yes, I know the official "proof" resides in the FCC's data base. You could be removed from the data base very quickly. "Hi there! I'm from the Government. I'm here to help you." When you are gone, do you want an elecronic tombstone? How about an electronic columbarium urn? Come to think of it, who needs you anyway? Since that is the case, why bother with QSL records. When you are gone, who cares? -Instant pudding, disposable plates, disposable you!
Posted by
AI2IA on 2006-08-23
New isn't always better
So... would you rather fly microsoft flight simulator, or would you rather fly a real plane? Same difference.
Posted by
WA1SCI on 2006-08-22
New isn't always better
So... would you rather fly microsoft flight simulator, or would you rather fly a real plane? Same difference.
Posted by
WA1SCI on 2006-08-22
What would YOU rather have?
An ICQ chat online wiht someone in Montenegro...or a real radio QSO?
Online QSL or real QSL?
Posted by
WI7B on 2006-08-22
Both
I have plenty of real QSL cards on the wall but most of them are in shoe boxes. I send out my card to anyone who wants one for a contact we made. But, I also the like the ease of using LOTW for awards. In the beginning of my QSL chase I liked to receive the cards and show them off but now I have plenty to show to people that care to even see them and more than enough on my wall. But now I like to use LOTW. It is easy to upload my logs. I believe the ARRL has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the system is secure. I have over 8 thousand QSOs confirmed in LOTW. That would sure add up to a lot of SASEs and green stamps for me to get that many confirmed.
I received my original DXCC by using cards only. Well, now I have DXCC and WAS for various bands and modes using only LOTW. It’s cheaper and easier.
I have used both Paper and LOTW QSL but now I primarily use LOTW.
Posted by
AD6WL on 2006-08-22
LOTW
Lost On the Web?
Posted by
K5MO on 2006-08-22
Paper
Paper is the spirit of ham radio.
Posted by
THERAGE on 2006-08-20
Reasons for QSL's vary
A paper QSL is desirable as a tangible souvenir of a cherished QSO, whether from a rare DX country or zone, or from a new ham friend.
As already noted by others, electronic log repositories (LOTW and eQSL) help serve as a backup for computer logbooks, in case of a hard drive crash.
For awards purposes, LOTW is the only electronic QSL system worthy of mention, unless one is satisfied with the cheesey imitation awards provided by eQSL.
I like my albums of pretty and plain QSL cards from around the world. But I also appreciate an LOTW confirmation for my sixth or seventh band for a DXCC entity to increase my DXCC Challenge total, especially if that confirmation comes through within a few days of the QSO! Saves a lot of waiting time, and postage too.
73,
Chuck NI0C
Posted by
NI0C on 2006-08-20
Paper Still in the Lead!
After 9 days of posting, Paper QSLs are in the lead by greater that 2:1!
Posted by
KG4RUL on 2006-08-19
I do both...paper and eqsl....either one is fine by me. But I'm a techie by trade and avocation so I try and keep up with the ever-changing technology...after all I probably helped "invent" some of it during my stint at places like HP...:) Worked with a couple of guys called Jobs and Wozniak...:)
Posted by
N0FGK on 2006-08-19
QSL preferences
By almost a 4:1 margin, people prefer paper cards. No big surprise.
Posted by
W9WHE-II on 2006-08-17
QSL Cards
I have been a collector of QSL's since 1968 and nothing can compare to the paper QSL's. There is something special about receiving an envelope with return address and stamp or postmark, in addition to the prized contents of a genuine QSL inside.
If anyone knows of a source for QSL card albums or protectors that can hold cards up to 5" by 7," please let me know.
Many thanks and 73's
Ed Insinger, WDX2RVO
edi@aircast.com
Posted by
WDX2RVO on 2006-08-17
Paper QSL Cards
I still enjoy receiving a hand-written letter or postcard from a friend by snail-mail. Paper QSL cards, especially those that have some personal artwork or photography, are some of my favorite pieces of mail.
Just because a few mouse clicks will produce a QSL report for you does not mean that you MUST use E-QSL. No... changing with the times does not mean abandoning old traditions, but it does mean being aware of new ideas and using them when needed.
A straight key switching Vcc/B+ into a QRP transmitter you built yourself that is hooked up to an unmatched Zepp is certainly the "Old-Fashioned" way of making a CW contact, but when that one last contact qualifies you for a DXCC award, you know you've accomplished something more than you would have by making the same contact with a store-bought, computer controlled iambic keyer plugged into a 1000 Watt Blast-O-Matic transmitter that is hooked up to an umpty-element alt-azi beam! That "Old-Fashioned" contact is simply more gratifying because you had to WORK at it! Then receiving confirmation by mail, especially from a like-minded Ham, just tops it all off like cold beer on a hot day.
Yeah, E-QSLs are okay, but I'd rather send something that took me some time and effort to produce in my own handwriting. It's that personal touch that counts.
73
Posted by
AI6CG on 2006-08-17
Darn Newfangled Hams!
My QSL's are homemade with tin stencils, housepaint and cardboard that I dig out of the trash.
I sit in my basement. I wear my bib overalls. I sip on lukewarm coffee and fill out my cards by the light of dim 60-watt bulb.
Some day I may have indoor plumbing and an automobile.
I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm still winding coils on cardboard toilet tissue rolls.
Posted by
WPE9JRL on 2006-08-17
Darn Newfangled Hams!
My QSL's are homemade with tin stencils, housepaint and cardboard that I dig out of the trash.
I sit in my basement. I wear my bib overalls. I sip on lukewarm coffee and fill out my cards by the light of dim 60-watt bulb.
Some day I may have indoor plumbing and an automobile.
I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm still winding coils on cardboard toilet tissue rolls.
Posted by
WPE9JRL on 2006-08-17
Article, please!
>Darn Newfangled Hams!
My QSL's are homemade with tin stencils, housepaint and cardboard that I dig out of the trash.<
::This would make a very good article! Please write one detailing this, and include photos.
Posted by
WB2WIK on 2006-08-17
Paper only pse
Awe shucks, I can barely use on of these puters. I gotsa get my grandkids to get on the internet thingy for me. They always out there playing that foosball. But, heck, how do you think I could possibly figure out how to go thru all dat trouble on certifyen an uploadin and checking the internet thingy all the time. That internet is the devil.
I better just stick wit the paper QSL.
Posted by
OLDFART13 on 2006-08-17
Re: Cheap Hams
"If you want some nice cards which most hams seem to like, stop being so damn cheap and send some to get them."
Alex,
I couldn't have said it better myself. What really frosts me are those that try to convince me that I should pay the postage BOTH WAYS with a SASE! If these cheapskates can't meet me half way and pay THEIR SHARE, maybe they should find a less costly hobby; they clearly don't belong in ham radio. At least they should cut back on their operating so they can afford to send cards for the contacts they do make. And, yes, I HAVE found a group cheaper than hams, believe it or not; Private Pilots. If they thought you had a use for the drop of oil under their plane, they'd try to find a way to charge you for it.
73 Tom KB5DPE
Posted by
KB5DPE on 2006-08-17
Re: Cheap Hams
"If you want some nice cards which most hams seem to like, stop being so damn cheap and send some to get them."
Alex,
I couldn't have said it better myself. What really frosts me are those that try to convince me that I should pay the postage BOTH WAYS with a SASE! If these cheapskates can't meet me half way and pay THEIR SHARE, maybe they should find a less costly hobby; they clearly don't belong in ham radio. At least they should cut back on their operating so they can afford to send cards for the contacts they do make. And, yes, I HAVE found a group cheaper than hams, believe it or not; Private Pilots. If they thought you had a use for the drop of oil under their plane, they'd try to find a way to charge you for it.
73 Tom KB5DPE
Posted by
KB5DPE on 2006-08-17
I like LOTW but love paper !
I am doing both.
LOTW is fine for awards and massive confirmations (contests).
But nothing compares to the pleasure of receiving a bunch of bureau cards or a single one direct. I still confirm 100% of my QSO this way (dupe band-modes excepted).
Laurent, F1JKJ
Posted by
F1JKJ on 2006-08-16
The E-QSL is...Paper also
I keep wondering with a smile???...When I press Print on my "Printer" and "get the same Identical paper card" that side by side comparison, proves I hold in my hand, or to be placed on a wall, or to show my Grand kids? How much that really differs from the "SAME CARD" I sometimes waited a month for (especially from some QSL Managers)that simply allows me to say - YES...I made this contact and hopefully, a new friend in Ham radio. "PROGRESS - NEW INVENTIONS - NEW MODES - NEW BLOOD" it all just seems exciting about what is possible! I gotta laugh and smile as some of these remarks are like the Doctor saying, OK we have a NEW TREATMENT for your illness that is relatively painless and can cure you! Yet...I suppose a few would say "No-Doc I prefer all my hair and teeth, all falling out, because that is what happened to my Grand-Pa! Oh well...To each his own and as long as we all meet and make new friends and HAM RADIO lives on...that's what it's all about isn't it? God Bless everyone De N5JFJ
Posted by
NE5C on 2006-08-16
I think the survey results speak for themselves !
If the ARRL would not have their head in the clouds they would actually take a constructive look at these numbers, and ask "How could we improve LOTW ?"
Posted by
WR1H on 2006-08-16
Comparisons
OK,lets compare things here. It really looks like one needs to select the method that suits their own needs. It's like anything else in life. Know the advantages and disadvantages and follow the rules of the sponsor.
For display or personal satisfaction: Paper cards or printouts of eQSLs or other forms of electronic QSLs.
For ARRL awards: Paper cards accepted for all awards. DXCC & WAS will take either LOTW or paper or a mix. LOTW is not for general qsling, only for chasing DXCC and now WAS.
For eQSl awards: ONLY eQSLs from their own site. NO paper cards accepted. NO other forms of electronic QSLs accepted.
For other awards (non-ARRL, non-eQSL): Paper cards accepted. Electronic QSLs (but not LOTW) in some cases depending on award sponsor.
Some other comparisons leap out too. It appears that based on the people who answer surveys that LOTW and eQSL are used about the same amount. So it does not look like the dominance that paper cards hold has anything to do with the relative ease of sign up on the two systems.
Signing up for LOTW is not that hard. It just takes following the steps methodically and spending a little time waiting. Even the waiting is that long. I started the process on a Sunday and was able to upload my log on Wednesday of that same week.
So why aren't more people using the electronic forms. Here's my bit of speculation on it.
1. Based on my returns, about half the hams don't QSL in any form.
2. Many hams are not into chasing awards. Since LOTW is only for awards chasing, they have no reason to sign up.
3. Many hams have all the QSLs they need or want, so they have no reason to sign up for any form of electronic qsling. They simply respond to cards they receive.
4. Some people simply have not converted to computer logging or if they have converted never entered their pre-existing contacts into the log.
5. Some people don't keep logs.
6. Some people simply don't have internet access.
My QSL results to date are as follows:
Paper: about 50%
eQSL: about 5%
LOTW: about 20%
Posted by
N8UZE on 2006-08-16
Electronic QSLs have a long way to go.
I have accomplished more with SASE than any medium.
Comparison: Out of 8,000 logged QSOs, LOTW show confirmations for only 500 (!!!). However, I have paper confirmations for 4,500.
So, if I depended on LOTW, I would be screwed.
Paper, paper and paper.
LOTW is an atrocity of a system. ARRL should shut the system down and re-think their approach to electronic QSLing.
Posted by
WR1H on 2006-08-15
Prefer paper QSL
I have done both and I still prefer the personal touch of a regular QSL card. It is fun to send and receive personal comments from the people I have talked to. It is also fun to later go through the QSL's and remember the circumstances of the QSO. I have a card from K7UGA and JY1. How could you ever duplicate that via electronic QSL'ing?
Don
Posted by
KK9H on 2006-08-15
Prefer paper QSL
I have done both and I still prefer the personal touch of a regular QSL card. It is fun to send and receive personal comments from the people I have talked to. It is also fun to later go through the QSL's and remember the circumstances of the QSO. I have a card from K7UGA and JY1. How could you ever duplicate that via electronic QSL'ing?
Don
Posted by
KK9H on 2006-08-15
QSL preference survey
For me, neither the original (E Qsl) nor arrl's SHAMELESS rip-off (lotw) can compete with getting a card from the hands of a ham in a far off place.
Posted by
W9WHE-II on 2006-08-15
Real QSL cards only.
Those newfangled internet QSLs are just a bunch of garbage. If it aint a paper card then it aint a real QSL.
Posted by
OLDFART13 on 2006-08-15
Prefer Paper
Hand written paper QSL cards seems to have more validity in my mind. Similar to a paper diploma displayed on a wall, a paper QSL card is intended as a benchmark of your radio contact accomplishments.
Basically, sending and receiving paper QSL cards are a long standing ham radio tradition intended for the purpose of creating a proud display which exhibits your best contacts usually located on a wall somewhere in the ham shack.
While paperless QSL'ing is a quick and convenient method of "storing" on air contacts in an online computer database format; it completely misses the mark when it comes to the more tangible principles of exchanging "friendships" through this physical exchange process. Foe example, many times I would recieve many other things besides "just" the QSL cards themselves. I would get station photo's, little flag stickers and other little nick nack samples from the "culture" I have made contact with.
This is primarily why I believe QSL paper cards follow ham radio tradition and promote international goodwill and perhaps explains why eQSL cards do not.
73
Posted by
KC8VWM on 2006-08-14
"All of the Above"
This survey is flawed by not including "All of the Above". Since each of the three categories is for different purposes they cannot be equally compared. So I will not add to the vote total until the answers are appropriate to the question.
Posted by
AL7GA on 2006-08-14
LOTW
Over 8K QSLs confirmed without SASEs and greenbacks. I just certify and upload my logs over the internet. Paper QSL cards are nice, but since I have a couple shoeboxes full I don't chase them anymore. I am glad to send my card to anyone who wants it, but I prefer LOTW.
73, Jim
AD6WL
Posted by
AD6WL on 2006-08-14
QSL purposes
QSL acknowledgements have different purposes. While electronic QSL acknowledgements satisfy many of these purposes, the printed paper QSL card has a unique spot. It can satisfy all of the purposes with the exception of minimum storage space. Also, the paper QSL card takes the most time to send. It fulfils the old Hallmark saying, "If you care enough to send the very best!" What you send to the other operator says a lot about you - any way you do it.
Posted by
AI2IA on 2006-08-14
Advantages to BOTH!
Logically speaking, obviously there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Issues like cost, speed, aesthetic quality of computer stored or printed vs. conventional printed QSL's, personal touch/handwriting on paper QSL's, etc. affect Hams differently. That said, although I do enjoy e-QSLing to an extent, to me there is nothing that comes close to the total experience of conventional paper QSLing! There is absolutely no reason that both methods cannot coexist and be used depending on preference.
Posted by
W8KQE on 2006-08-13
Best laid plans often go astray
LOTW is a disaster from the human interface view. eQSL is user-friendly but, is not accepted by the ARRL elitists. Paper QSLs are tangible proof of a contact that is accepted by all. And, they are really neat to get!
Posted by
KG4RUL on 2006-08-12
LOTW Great!
Anyone that says they can't set-up, use or navigate LOTW, well all I have to say is that I don't know how they got a ham license then. The interface is easy to you and very straight forward. The program you install on the PC is easy and requesting the certificate is easy. eQSL is just a wannabe. Not secure, no blind QSO matching to make sure the QSL is real, you can accept any QSO posted, even if it really is not in your log (DX station recorded wrong cal and hey, you benefit), awards that you print off look cheap. Like Coke, LOTW is the Real Thing.
Oh, and N5JFJ - learn economics. Law of Supply and Demand. Stop complaining and invest in oil and energy stocks, you can make your money back and more that way.
Posted by
WB8NUT on 2006-08-12
Its just easier!
Alex its not that its cheap. Just about everyone has the internet now and its just so much easier to send a card and get one back via the electric mode. I get an email that i have a card on the system when i check my mail everyday. So easy, i don't have to hand write a card. I type about 90wpm so its no trouble to type my response back to the sender. I've designed my own personal qsl card and didn't have to send off and have some print shop do it and wait weeks to get them back. I don't have to get out on the road and run to the postoffice to get the job done either. Right here in my radio room next to my rigs is where its all happening. I print them on photo quality paper thats really "Beautiful". Some just hate any type of change. The main gripe i hear is arrl won't honor the eqsl.net system card for "their" awards. They should, the league thought so much of eqsl.nets concept they stole it from them. I look at it this way. I have personal qsl cards i had a print shop make up for me. I can run one of my personal cards off the eqsl.net system and honestly the eqsl looks better. Maybe its because i have my own design on the eqsl..hi hi..but its the same, its a dang paper card. "period" . If i ran one off the eqsl.net system and sent it via snailmail the only differance would be the postmarks on the card. Usually right in the dang middle of what ever it was on the card you'd want to look at. 73 John WR8D
Posted by
WR8D on 2006-08-12
e-QSL and paper
I use e-QSL and paper. I like e-QSL because it's free and was simple to register. I also send paper cards. When I send out a paper QSL I include a S.A.S.E so I can get a return and respond ASAP to the cards I receive. I'm not an award chaser so I don't need LOTW plus I checked it out and found it to be a pain to register. ARRL won't accept any other form of contact proof other than LOTW because they didn't invent it.
Posted by
N9VAO on 2006-08-12
Really a shame:
We can't agree on anything other than we all agree we disagree. If its a cost thing which some say...then send your donations to eqsl.net, there you'll know and see where your money is being spent. Subscribe to cq magazine too. Again there you can see where your money is going, its a better magazine too. No politics behind it, just about amateur radio. Boy i bet i've stirred it up now. When you get fed up with the powers at hand and finally see through the smoke screen and all the lies, realization comes finally. For some though it seems to take a little longer. Obviously though if being one of the blind were so popular there'd be thousands of us still members instead of so many of us dropping out. Think about it! WR8D
Posted by
WR8D on 2006-08-12
QSL Cards
I prefer the old fashioned way. I like the personal touch it adds to a QSL. I designed my own QSL Card and print them as I need them. I type in the contact information, since it is easier to read than my handwriting.
Herb
K0HEA
Posted by
K0HEA on 2006-08-12
qsl card
I do still enjoy a qsl card through the postal system. i do so enjoy the personal touch of artistry that each ham afixes to the card. im not a long time ham by any means, but have been around long enough to appriciate some of the older cards. i have recieved from hams in other countries , quite a different art work to enjoy . i enjoy to keep my ham radio very simple & basic . i do not enjoy being told well we only will except this format for awards , then some time later change to another format to their chooseing , so i let them keep their awards , i still have the personal satisfaction of personal achievement. so i stay away from the electronic format of things. i guess if your out to achieve dx or awards then you more or less have to be a part of all these different formats. To say i also very much enjoy recieveing pix of hams boat anchors that i worked on 80 mtr cw & qrp & home brew rigs & homebrew qsls are very exciteing to recieve . Well all the best see you on 80 mtrs this winter Bill k8fly
Posted by
K8FLY on 2006-08-12
Paper is nice
I don't initiate a QSL except for QRP or Special Event contacts, but I QSL direct anyone who QSLs me for whatever reason. My card is a plain-jane off the computer printer, but it is in color, clean, and reasonably good-looking. And, I put it in an envelope.
Posted by
W2RDD on 2006-08-12
GOP
=Grand Old Party, and also = Good Old Paper.
We live in a computerized enough society. We need to QSL that way, too?
Why not just let our rigs and computers make the contacts for us, and we can come in on Sunday night and ask, "So, how'd we do?"
Electronic QSLing will never replace paper and mail in my lifetime, because I use the paper and mail for multiple purposes.
Taught my kids stamp collecting based on DX stamps coming in on envelopes.
Love the printing, writing and signatures of DX ops. Viva l'difference! They print, write and sign differently than Americans do, and it's interesting. Love that the JA's always have such clean character writing, it's almost machine-like, but done in pen. It's just cool.
Paper - mail - stamps - nothing can replace the smell and the experience.
WB2WIK/6
Posted by
WB2WIK on 2006-08-12
"Times Change"...So should we!
A while back I got into the E-QSL Website and joined up. I gotta say I've been having plenty of fun with all of that! Since I've been using PSK and digipan so much, I found the feature of simply uploading your Digipan logfiles into E-QSL and "Away they Go" man I think that is A-OK...How easy it is to keep up and I intend on working the Awards on the site also. It's just my humble opinion but... I am a fellow that "DIS-LIKES" Oil companies that RAPE US for the price of a gallon of Gas, AND PAYING 39 Cents... for a simple dinkie little post card, to reach a new found friend. I keep feeling like there is someone - standing back and laughing, saying..."Hey get ready, here comes another one" TIMES CHANGE, and I think we should also, The E-QSL just like email I believe has ARRIVED and a wonderful way, to further the Hobby of Ham Radio. GOD BLESS and 73 DE N5JFJ
Posted by
NE5C on 2006-08-11
Paper QSL Cards
There will come a time when you will want to share your memories of your radio experiences with your grandchildren, or show a particular QSL card to a friend. It could be years from now. How will you do that with your electronic QSL record? You may have a rare QSO, a QSO with a famous person, a QSO under unusual conditions, or a humorous one. How will you prove that? Without at least one QSL card from your first QSO, or from your Elmer, hanging on the wall, do you really think your radio shack is complete?
Posted by
AI2IA on 2006-08-11
??Proving it??
In recent years "within the past five or so", i discovered eqsl.net. I've been licensed since 81 and i was very surprised to find qsl's there on their system waiting on me for "years" honestly. Contacts made two sun cycles back, i had no idea they had been around this long. Easy for me to download and print on photo cpy paper. Look exactly like anything i ever got in the mail. Heck most are made by the sender and look much better. All i have to do is log onto the eqsl.net system and go to my archive. Put it on the screen or download it and print it out on beautiful glossy paper. I have them all saved to disk here in the shack as well as printed out, plus they're all still in my archive there on the eqsl.net site. eqsl.net for me is the "only" way to go. Also when i make a donation to them i know how my money is being "spent" and what for. No hidden agendas, no lies, no pockets being "lined". It honestly can't get any better. John WR8D
Posted by
WR8D on 2006-08-11
Electronic QSLs
I think ARRL will soon accept only LOTW submissions for their awards. It's too expensive to handle paper QSLs.
That won't mean paper QSLs will go away, however. They are just no longer needed for awards.
Posted by
W4YA on 2006-08-11
Paper or Data?
I still enjoy receiving paper QSLs and have quite a large collection of them. I think that an acceptable means of confirming a QSO should also be through electronic means such as LOTW. LOTW/eQSL are inexpensive and speed up the confirmation process. I would like to see the ARRL streamline LOTW so that all of their awards can be obtained this way. They also need to lighten up on the security and make it easier for DX stations to participate.
Posted by
W7RJR on 2006-08-11
Paper SQL cards
Yep it cost postage to keep the paper, and I have to admit It would be great to sign in and get SQL cards, But what if baseball cards were electronic... kind of loses something don't you think. To me there is nothing more personal than a Hand written card. Even a typed SQL card is perfered over electronic, put nothing beats the hand writtened card for the personal touch
Posted by
KB3DRW on 2006-08-11
Well for myself, I prefer the paper cards. These are my momentos.
However, I recently made the decision to submit electronically but continue to request paper cards for ones I really want. I have already uploaded my entire log to eQSL. Tonight I'll be finishing the setup for LOTW and submitting there.
Why both you might ask?
Well the awards that I want are the ARRL ones. Therefore LOTW (plus paper) is the route to go here.
eQSL is basically for those who would like me to confirm that way. In some cases, I will print out selected cards tha particularly appeal to me.
I have had one instance where eQSL has enhanced my paper card chasing. I had a station for which I could not find the QSL info. Lo and behold, they had submitted to eQSL and their card listed QSL info for those wishing cards.
Someone spoke of getting confirmations on old qsls and the age of eQSL. eQSL is not very old. However if you upload your entire log going back to whenever and someone else does the same, it will match up the QSOs even though the contact occurred long before eQSL came into existence.
Posted by
N8UZE on 2006-08-11
EQSL's
Paper QSL's are enjoyable and will stay with us, but I do find E-QSL's convenient. I think maybe more hams are willing to send them electronically, as my QSL-count has certainly increased since I have used the service. However, there is nothing like the personal touch of a mailed card. So I guess that I will enjoy the benefits of both.
Posted by
KW4J on 2006-08-11
QSLing
If I get an eQSL, I'll generally reply (about four times a year when I check that website). If I get a paper card, I try to reply in a reasonable amount of time (sometime in the next six months). I've gotten paper cards as long as five years after a contact! -KR4WM
Posted by
WY3X on 2006-08-11
Cheap Hams
I don't QSL much since I don't usually work anything worth a card, like DX. But the stingy and just plain cheap hams just kill me. Hams have to be the most greedy and unbelieveably cheap creatures on earth. All I ever heard for decades is the cost of sending cards is expensive. You would think it was costing tens of thousands of dollars a year to send some cards out. If the average ham spent a $100 for postage in a year, it would be nothing. I drink that much beer in a few weekends.
If you want some nice cards which most hams seem to like, stop being so damn cheap and send some to get them.
Alex
Posted by
SSB on 2006-08-11