[Dx-qsl] Incoming Bueau

Wed Jan 1 22:19:00 2003

Not only was it a hell of a story... it wasn't the only time.

Back in the late 70's or early 80's, the gentleman (and I use that term
loosely) who took over the W3 bureau after W3KT became a SK quickly became a
black hole for both incoming cards and $ sent in lieu of envelopes.  I know
he got my letters because he quickly cashed my checks, but he never answered
any of them.  (E-Mail?  Remember the time frame).

Rumor had it that he was asked by someone in Newington to respond to the
complaints, so he hopped in his car and drove up there -- instead of making
an appointment as asked.  Said someone wasn't in that day, so he left in a
huff.  If I remember correctly, he was a Philadelphia fire fighter, and he
alleged that his schedule interferred with his ability to deal with the
complaints... and few if any got cards.

When the bureau was finally taken away from him, a group of volunteers
(including W3KT's widow) were given the unwelcome task of dealing with the
backlog.  When I finally got my envelopes, the last one indicated that I had
about 25 "mailing credits" due me.  Rumor was that ARRL was going to sue
this character for the missing money and try and return some or all of the
looted funds.  I never saw a dime, nor did I ever hear of anyone who did, so
I don't think it ever happened.

When a Carlisle PA area DX club took over the W3 bureau (not the current
one, as far as I know), they only accepted envelopes, no postage credits.
No surprise why.

73, ron wn3vaw

"New Jersey - the most American of all states.  It has everything from
wilderness to the Mafia.  All the great things and all the worst, for
example, Route 22."
Jean Shepherd K2ORS (SK), Newark Sunday News, 11 January 1970

----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 9:51 PM
Subject: RE: [Dx-qsl] Incoming Bueau

Tom, that is a hell of a story.  I have a question for you or anyone out
there who knows?  Does an incoming bureau person get paid by the ARRL?  Why
would the ARRL not take action, especially in a case as egregious as this
one?

I AM very happy to say that my bureau person, N4JJ, does a GREAT job and I
am greatful he is willing to do the job.  I have never had a complaint
about the incoming or outgoing bureau.

Steve, N4JQQ

Original Message:
-----------------
Wrom: EUQZAAFXISHJEXXIMQZUIVOTQN
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 21:10:00 -0000
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Dx-qsl] Incoming Bueau

Let's look back a few years to when a guy in Melbourne Fla had the W4 bureau
in the late 60s, the whole thing, not just a letter.

Everybody went almost 6 years without any cards. Guys in the Melbourne area
said that they would go over to help him, and he would peep out the window
but not open the door. Neighbors also resported that they would often see a
mailbag full of stuff delivered, and several days later, they would see it
taken it out to the incinerator in the backyard.

There finally was almost an insurrection in the 4th district and when the
league finally took it from him, the Stirling Park club reported that they
got over 300,000 cards. I alone got hundreds of cards, some of them over 9
years old.

What really miffed me was that our complaints to the league went unheeded
for years with numerous excuses out of Newington, and when they finally let
him go, there was an entire column in QST praising the guy for the fine job
he had done. I think there was a certificate too.

I know that the 1967 Andamans operation QSLed via the
buro because I know several who got them. I guess my card is in that
incinerator. To be honest, I am bitter.

Sometimes it is best to be wary of your bureau. The Mecklenberg ARC guys do
a good job, but the T processer has been a bit slow the past few years, but
I know I"m eventually gonna get my stuff. No real problem there.

Everybody have a happy new year.

Tom

N4TJ

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