[ADXA] pay for play - 3D2AG and VK9DX

Sun Apr 6 18:14:56 EDT 2025

Hi Bill,
I guess I am sort of in the other camp or maybe sitting on the fence.  While I hate the hams that make it so hard to get any type if QSL confirmation, I don't mind at all doing OQRS.  That really saves a bunch of time and money, IMHO.  Getting LOTW confirmations and OQRS is merely a few clicks from your mouse buttons.

For instance if you send a card out here is what you will need:
QSL card that cost money, hi.  Then document and check our logging program.
I add $5 these days for return postage.  Sorry IMHO $2 is not enough.
Add a SAE return air mailer
Then you add the air mailer for all the above to fit inside.
Then add the postage to get the above out of the country and if you go to the post office that takes time and gas.

Even though I am a card checker, the one card I had checked in Fort Smith from  K5CKS Rory SK cost us a car!  Kathy and I were already heading home and was north of Van Buren when Rory said we could stop by.  We turned around and headed back to Rory's house.   At least the wreak didn't cost us our lives, for which I am very thankful for! That is one reason I love LOTW!  I guess I am pretty dedicated to have one card check.  Rory thought it was dumb for me to have one card checked.  What Rory didn't know that very card put me on the Honor Roll!

I think I calculated all this a few years back and to get a QSL out of the country, the above was approaching $10!  I wish they had OQRS when I was going for 5BDXCC!  Like OO Mark mentioned, I could have bought a new rig like a 7610 going for 5BDXCC.  Long story on why that cost so much, another time on that.  In the end, that caused me to become an incoming card sorter for a few years.  While I am sure you can get the above done cheaper, the success rate may go down.  I am dating myself, I can't remember his first name, but it was Plumb supplying me with the mailers, return mailers, and stamps at the time.  I think he is now out of business.  Also remember the IRCs?  I had to ask Kathy about those.  I could not remember the abbreviation.  Gosh that was not that far back!

The ones that really get me, is they are on working DX nearly every day.  When you look them up, no QSLing via Buro, mail, or LOTW.  Why do they run pileups.  Of course, it is their station and what they do is up to them.

IMHO, We truly live in great times DXing wise.  I really hate to go after cards, even though I look at everyone I get I really don't get a huge kick out of seeing them.  What I do get a kick out of is getting a new one confirmed via LOTA.  Then there is a time and more money to have the QSL cards checked.  It takes time to do online DXCC, print out the application, then have the cards checked.

I've noticed a new service that makes up old time QSLs that are sent to you via email.  I am sure you are also getting those.  Sadly, they don't count for DXCC, I don't even save those.  They do look very cool though.

73 de jay/w5jay.
________________________________
From: adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Bill Priakos via ADXA <adxa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 6, 2025 1:35 PM
To: adxa at mailman.qth.net <adxa at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: Bob Hardie - W5UQ (W5UQ at ATT.NET) <W5UQ at ATT.NET>
Subject: [ADXA] pay for play - 3D2AG and VK9DX

Most of you probably already know this, but it takes $4.00 to get a QSL OR confirmation on LOTW from 3D2AG  A N D five bucks to get the same from VK9DX.  I snared both of them yesterday on 6 meters, FT8. Damn!

Well, I’ll do it because I would really like to get DXCC on the “magic band”, but it galls me, nonetheless ☹.

Fellow members, I think I have been a ham the longest among ADXA members - since 02/04/1955 and I used to get QSL cards from folks; “U R my first Arkansas, PSE QSL and I did (I’m sure we ALL have those requests, even today).  I recall one early contact’s card that had on it, “the final courtesy of a QSO is a QSL”.  Isn’t that neat?!  Hey, It’s The Way It Ought To Be 😊.  I sure used and still use SASE for QSL’s I want but I remember when even THAT was not required – in the early days, contacts would send just the card…no envelope…..and postage was ONLY 3 CENTS!  (Yes, I am THAT OLD).

Just a senior citizen’s rant….

73 es Good Hunting!

Bill

Bill Priakos - W5SJ

10 Free Ferry Heights

Fort Smith, AR 72903

479.461.8368

[A Telegraph Key Is A Switching Device Used Primarily To Send Morse Code]

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