[50mhz] QSLing

[mweisbergs at juno.com]

I think Dan's posting was understandable as to the frustration involved
in QSLing but I also think the he and others are ignoring a rather
salient point... not everyone is a paper-chaser!   Some are tech types
who love to build or play with antennas, others are ragchewers and many
live just for contesting, all pursuits in which the QSL is mostly
irrelevent

I knew a number of 6m types that didn't own QSL cards, many who didn't
log their contacts and lots who simply did not respond to buro, direct or
direct/SASE cards at all (a few were considerate enough to announced that
they won't QSL). As a member of the W2 Incoming QSL Buro, I can attest to
the sizeable number of those who don't want, and won't reply to the cards
addressed to them. 

Over the long haul -- 52 years -- I've calculated my 6m QSL return rate
to be about 80%; for every thousand cards I've sent out one way or
another, I've eventually gotten 800, give or take, back which, tho a real
bummer when county-hunting on 6m, was sufficient to earn every major 6m
award save WAC. For my part, I respond to all cards I receive --
including SWLs and unusable cards -- in the manner they were sent. But
not all hams feel the same way; this I understand and write it off as,
"The cost of doing business".

A related note: at one time I designed and printed up a "reverse QSL", a
very simple card addressed with postage to myself, upon which I entered
all the pertinent info for several QSOs. I put this in an envelope and
sent it to the other op. All he had to do was to sign his name in the
space provided and mail it. This was intended for contacts with mobile
stations  (who often don't log QSO or aren't paper-chasers) traveling
thru grids or counties that I needed with no cost or effort on their
part. It worked well.

Bud K2YOF