[Dx-qsl] Bureau

Wed Feb 26 21:17:00 2003

Logic is pretty simple, actually.  QSL cards generate serious support for all major DXpeditions, and in my case, generates a surplus for most of the stations I manage.  If LOTW were to be used for the DXpeditions, a major source of funding would disappear.  That is, unless you would submit your QSO details for DXCC etc and send the donation you would have made with your QSL card to the DXpedition.  I'd like to think that would happen in the ham community, but I'd not place strong odds on it.

For the other stations I manage, it would be a case by case basis.  Will QSL management disappear?  No.  If your QSO doesnt' match with LOTW, the manager or DX station is the 'referee', I am told.  Many will still want the cardboard...thus, I'm not sure the expense of managing cards, not to mention some of the time will disappear.  

Folks seem to forget that QSLs are a substantial part of DXpedition funding.  Until a serious replacement of this funding is identified, do you feel LOTW will work in this case?

73

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

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

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Dave Bernstein" <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 18:16:16 -0500

>I don't yet understand your logic in not being able to justify the use
>of LOTW. If hardcopy QSL processing generally runs at a loss, wouldn't
>you be better off -- from both a financial and time management
>perspective -- with a system that both eliminates both the financial
>loss (since no postage is required) and eliminates the personal time
>required to manually match up confirmation requests with log entries?
>Perhaps you're assuming something about the LOTW subscription fees...
>
>   73,
>
>      Dave, AA6YQ
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
>On Behalf Of Steven Wheatley KU9C
>Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 5:44 PM
>To: [email protected]; Ron Notarius WN3VAW
>Subject: Re: [Dx-qsl] Bureau
>
>
>
>Allow me to be a bit more clear on my feelings on LOTW.  I  believe
>that, rather than QSL managers getting funding for DXpeditions, I'd
>rather see folks like NCDXF and the other organizations that you can
>find on most DXpedition QSL cards manage the process.  Having been thru
>the NCDXF, INDEXA and other processes more than once, I can tell you
>that if you donate to these folks, the money finds it's way to the
>deserving.  And you have to demonstrate a plan, a need, etc etc.
>
>However, having said that, currently the funds from major DXpedition QSL
>management, in my experience, can easily equal the contribution from a
>major foundation fund or sponsor.  And, if LOTW were to remove that
>funding, would folks funnel that support to the NCDXF and other quality
>organizations. 
>
>In my case, and experience, there is NO CALL that I manage that
>generates substantial QSO counts that would fall into the category of a
>'wash' in terms of donations in being roughly equal to QSL/bureau costs.
>Therefore, I would have trouble justifying using LOTW.  Possibly on
>contest operations, but NEVER on DXpeditions.  And, even on contest
>operations, the excess has been used to help the station.  Next time you
>work CO8DM on 6 meters, remember that...HI.
>
>73
>
>--------------------------- 
>Steve Wheatley KU9C 
>PO Box 31
>Morristown NJ  07963-0031 
>U.S.A. 
>
>email:  [email protected] 
>http://www.ku9c.com/
>
>
>Now, more than ever, QSL.NET is in urgent need of your financial
>support. 
>Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
>
>Now, more than ever, QSL.NET is in urgent need of your financial support. 
>Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
>