Behind as usual, but I had to get my two cents' worth in on this one.
I am an active contester and though not making as many QSO's as the
multiops I routinely run off 1500-2500 QSO's in each of the seven major DX
Contests each year. Plus I enjoy getting into the regional and
single-country DX contests as well (with the exception of the WAE) so that
is several thousand more contest QSO's each year. Plus I operate each year
for about a month from HS0ZAR which runs up another 2000 or so QSO's annually.
Like ON4UN I love QSL'ing. And I don't use labels but I (or the XYL) fill
out each QSL by hand.
I keep a record of all stations I have worked outside the continental 48
with my K3ZO call in 11 analog books (because the system was started 14
years before I had a computer and I don't feel like doing the keypunching
necessary to data-process it up to date) which are at my operating
position. If I hear a particular station I can look up the call
immediately in this set of books. If I am doing general DX'ing I only call
stations self-defined as "rare" and which I have never worked before on any
band. (I make exceptions to this rule on 6 meters). That is why you will
frequently see me spot a station on packet that I am not working at the time.
At the end of each contest I do the following:
1) Use a search-and-replace program to slash all of the zeroes in the
callsigns of the stations I have worked.
2) Print out a copy of my log which goes into a binder. A new binder is
started each year.
3) Have Word-Perfect sort my contest log in alphanumeric callsign order.
4) Go through this sort with my system of 11 books and mark each log entry
which is a never-before-worked callsign (Yes VX3EJ will get a QSL even if I
have worked VE3EJ before).
5) Deliver the completed log to the XYL who proceeds to fill out an
expensive, multi-colored QSL -- which I have printed in Thailand -- for
each entry.
When I receive a direct QSL which requests my QSL, I answer the QSL
directly whether or not return postage is received, and whether or not I
have already sent a card to that station via the Bureau.
When I receive a bureau shipment (thanks NY3Y for taking such good care of
me!) I do the following:
1. I sort the cards into four categories:
a. QSL's which say "Tks QSL" -- filed with no further action.
b. QSL's for K3ZO
c. QSL's for HS0ZAR
d. QSL's for other stations which have come to me by mistake.
2. I begin answering cards for K3ZO, using the PVRC club cards which a lot
of us in PVRC use. I start with the binder for the current year and work
backwards. As I pull cards to be answered out of the Bureau box, I sort
them by year of QSO, while at the same time answering immediately those
which are in the binder for the current year. I then go through each year's
binder in turn until I am finished.
3. I begin answering cards for HS0ZAR, where the QSO sheets are in a
separate binder.
My HS0ZAR QSL's were also printed in Thailand, and though not expensive I
think they are reasonably original and attractive.
4. I go through the cards in category (d) above. If they were meant for
some other USA station but were sent to me by mistake, I mail them to that
station at my expense.
If someone had me down as manager for someone I am not manager for or for
someone I am no longer manager for, I do have a series of labels which
explains the problem and returns the card through the bureau back to the
sender. If someone busted my call, there is a label for that problem also
and the card is returned to the sender without action. Ditto with those
who are not in my log. (Yes, I check the log entry faithfully for every
QSO before I answer).
5. All SWL cards are answered in the same manner they are received, but I
do not keep any of them except the odd one from a UA9 on 160 meters, etc.
etc.
All of the non-lower-48 QSLs I have received for my K3ZO, W9SZR and W9SZR/3
calls are filed in alphanumeric order by callsign in 80 metal file drawers
(no I am not a stockholder in Steelmaster but I should be).
I admit that the QSL's I have received for my HI8XAL, HS1ABD, HK3NBB,
LU5HFI, HS0ZAR operations etc are not yet so filed BUT SOMEDAY THEY WILL
BE!
Now fellows, if I can do all of this, I find it hard to believe that you
can't at least answer the direct cards you receive!
73, Fred
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