[Dx-qsl] QSL managers

[Steven Wheatley KU9C]

Bob, I'll give you my '30,000 foot view' of this, and if you have further ?'s holler!





>
>I hope this is on topic.

more on topic than many messages.....and if you're willing to be a manager, most on this newsgroup will shout with joy!


>
>I would like to find more about being a QSL manager for a DX station.
>
>What is involved? (other than filling out cards & confirming calls in the
>log.)

The main criteria most overlook is TIME.  Make sure you can commit the time that is commensurate with the station(s) you manage.  It's a major time commitment.  I'd ask that you do bureau cards (many don't, and I personally think that is a failing on behalf of the qsl manager.  Folks claim that cost them too much....to which I say, you're not managing the right stations.....as you should be able to more-or-less break even, or minimal losses out of pocket at best).




>Does the DX station purchase his own cards or is the manager responsible for
>that?
You can go either way.  Cards are not a major expense, and many managers buy their own.  You can also request the station purchase their own, or do something like Mac W3HC does, where he sets up a fund for people to support the cards.  I would argue that if you pick up a rare enough station, the cards will pay for themselves.  I do WP2Z...which is a major contest station, but certainly NOT rare, and the cards, bureau expenses, etc are covered with the difference between greenstamps and 80 cent dx stamps, donations, etc.



>
>Does the manager send the cards to the DX station after a few get built up?

Depends on whether the station wants them.  Many do not...or just the band/mode for DXCC.  I tend to hold those and apply for the award, rather than risk loss in the mail to/from the DX station.  Again, if done via surface mail, and not every week, you should generate the $$ to pay for this, but you can also ask the DX station to help.


I hope you are enthused about being a manager, and have the time to commit.  If you have these two qualities, the DX community will be enhanced by your participation in this endeavour.  You won't get rich, but you also shouldn't have substantial out of pocket expenses in the long run.  And I can tell you you will have a lifelong friend in the station you manage, and a bunch of fellow DXers that will be grateful for your efforts.

73
Steve KU9C