[Dx-qsl] SOME REASONS FOR QSL CARD DELAYS

Mon Nov 25 15:55:01 2002

Thanks for not taking my comment out of context.  I did not mean that
there were or weren't problems,  what I meant is that life is just too
short and from the sounds of it, it seems that 90 percent of your time
or more is spent on QSLs.  Where is the time to sit back and enjoy the
hobby itself.  Don't let yourself get so caught up in this end of it
that you don't have fun anymore.  Of course, I should take my own
advice, between work and volunteering with the cub scouts and trying to
take courses online and thru a local club, I don't have much time
either.  Anyway good luck, and perhaps you might want to spread the word
around more that QSL managers are needed to help reduce the load on the
existing managers.

Chris 

-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Wheatley KU9C [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 11:42 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; 'JOHN'; Chris
Veverka
Subject: RE: [Dx-qsl] SOME REASONS FOR QSL CARD DELAYS

Chris,

I appreciate your comment, and in fact, I struggle with that issue.  And
frankly, I'm probably going to slow down somewhat......it's tough to
keep going at this rate.....for a lot of reasons...but when you read
unsigned messages on some of the reflectors that are rather
nasty....well...it's tough to keep the volunteer spirit lit!  

This is not about your comment...I do appreciate it.  However, I want to
share some of what has been going thru my mind here...

I think all of us need to think a bit.....about...what's changed in the
last 20 years.  DXpeditions have gotten bigger, perhaps, but with
computer logging, computer QSL label generation, and the like, I suspect
things are actually FASTER, much FASTER than they were even 10 years
ago.  I remember filling each QSL card when I started by hand, then a
dot matrix printer and those big computer labels.....etc etc.  I know my
'throughput' is substantially greater now......thanks to laser printers
and fantastic log software.  

As I look thru the last year, I realize that the only thing that has
changed is the advent of the internet, reflectors, and the ability for
you to know when the first card that is issued appears, when someone
gets on a reflector or cluster and say 'i've got mine'.  Then, everyone
starts their clock, and if a week goes by without a card, the automatic
assumption is that it was lost in the mail.  And, when a month goes
by...well, you get the idea.

So....As I see it, we're all probably more efficient than we used to be,
yet folks are restless.  And the criticism comes out pretty quick.  I
think the only 'difference' of distinction is the use of reflectors and
clusters to announce the arrival of the first card.

I  think the only way a manager can avoid this, is to work all the
cards, and then essentially do a bulk mailing in one day or one week of
all the direct cards.  Thus, everyone waits and most everyone gets them
at the same time.  I've been sorely tempted to do this, but I think I'd
rather take the heat of some not getting their cards as quickly as
others.

I w/ill note that many get their cards delayed due to their own working,
but.....that's a 'how to qsl lecture' for another day.

Bottom line, I hear you...and frankly, I am going to slow down a
bit...it's not worth it.  However, for those of you that have gotten
this far....there is only a few amateurs that take time away from their
family and their operating time to do cards....it's a thankless, for the
most part, job that requires a serious commitment.  I'd ask each of you
to consider volunteering...but please be up to the task at hand, and
please do it with the quality and integrity that our hobby demands and
deserves.

73
Steve

--------------------------- 
Steve Wheatley KU9C 
PO Box 31
Morristown NJ  07963-0031 
U.S.A. 

email:  [email protected] 
http://www.ku9c.com/

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
Wrom: ZOWCONEUQZAAFXISHJEXXIMQZUIVOTQNQEMSFD
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 07:37:41 -0500

>This is all well and good but what about those of us that have been 
>waiting over 6 months to a year for cards.  Perhaps you may be 
>overstreatching yourself by trying to manage so many other amateurs.