Pete and I have gone through basically the same process in the QSLing
business. I figured out that QSLing was going to be a problem for me a
number of years ago and I only have about 1/2 the number of QSOs that he
has. I have used a little different logging program (DXBase) but they all do
basically the same thing. My most current process is to upload all of my
QSOs to LOTW (which I really like), eQSL (which I feel is basically a waste
of time and Club Log. Through LOTW I have about 27,000 QSLs. I get from 50 -
100 QSLs every month or two via the bureau and I respond to all those QSLs
via the bureau. I print the information for the QSLs directly on the QSLs
so no writing for me.
I haven't gone with GlobalQSL because I still enjoy signing my cards and
looking at them before I send them but that could change.
New Band/Countries cost me about $5.00 a card these days and that is the
rub. Working on 9 BDXCC means lotsa QSLing if they don't use LOTW.
If I were getting started on the DXCC road I'm not sure I could afford the
cost of SASEs these days.
Bill W5VX
-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Pete Smith N4ZR
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 9:01 AM
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Is QSL Bureau pertinent in today HAM Radio
For what it's worth, a few words on the evolution in my thinking on QSLing
over the years.
I've been into computerized logging since the late 1980s - anyone remember
EasyDX? I was the first paying customer for DX4WIN, and shortly after that
concluded that going through boxes of QSLs from the bureau was just too
time-consuming, particularly since I had (and have) no interest in more
awards.
In an effort to solve this problem I badgered DX4WIN's Paul, KK4HD, into
adding the ability to preemptively QSL the first contact with each station
on each band/mode combination. That way, I figured, I could just print
batches of QSLs and dispatch them via the outgoing bureau.
Here, economics raised their ugly head. I reduced printing costs by locally
producing 4-up sheets and then using DX4WIN to print directly on them (those
stick-on labels are expensive). That left postage costs.
Working through the USPS online price charts, I was able to work out the
cross-over point at which the number of my outgoing QSLs to a given country
made it more economical to mail directly to the foreign QSL bureau, rather
than through the ARRL's outgoing bureau. More work for me, but less cost
per QSL.
The next step, and the last to date, came in 2009 when I discovered
GlobalQSL. It is somewhat more expensive than what I had been doing, but
the saving in effort is immense, the cards are nice looking, and the
service3 seems to be adequately fast. I can keep my conscience clear,
answer the few cards I get directly, and get on with the other aspects of
this hobby I enjoy.
All 124,000 of my computerized QSOs are now on LOTW, too. I look forward to
the day when it's all we will need.
73, Pete N4ZR
The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at
reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and
arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000
On 3/28/2012 3:14 AM, Yannick DEVOS (XV4Y) wrote:
> Paul N6PSE questioning was interesting.
> The last big expeditions (ST0R, T32C) costed around 300 000 USD each...
> For rare entities, people (perhaps not everyone) are ready to pay for
Direct QSL.
>
> However many reacted the same way than you and dropping QSL Bureau could
be seen as not respecting the deal.
>
> 73,
> Yan.
> ---
> Yannick DEVOS - XV4Y
> http://xv4y.radioclub.asia/
> http://varc.radioclub.asia/
>
> Le 28 mars 2012 à 10:41, Bill Parry a écrit :
>
>> The results sure seem to be one sided...QSL bureaus are still very
valuable.
>> QSLing direct has gotten ridiculously expensive! I use the bureau
>> almost every month.
>>
>> Bill W5VX
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
>> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Yannick
>> (XV4Y)
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 9:39 PM
>> To: CQ-Contest@contesting.com
>> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Is QSL Bureau pertinent in today HAM Radio
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> This is bit out of topic but contesters opinion is highly valuable.
>> Following a discussion on DX-World.net about the next Intrepid-DX
>> group QSL policy I started a small poll about QSL in the 21th century in
general.
>> Please share your opinion.
>> http://www.qslwatch.com/poll-about-qsl-bureau/
>>
>> Thanks.
>> 73,
>> Yan.
>> ---
>> Yannick DEVOS - XV4Y
>> http://xv4y.radioclub.asia/
>> http://varc.radioclub.asia/
>> http://www.qslwatch.com/
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|