[Dx-qsl] QSLing courtesy

[Steven Wheatley KU9C]

While I agree that if one has a lot of money in rigs, the few 23/37 cent stamps should not be a big issue, let me remind all that that works both ways.  If you have a lot of money in your equipment, an SASE in the grand schemes of things should not be a big hit either.  It works both ways.

My favorite is a guy in the US that had a color QSL, with $10K plus of equipment in his shack, and as I recall, 5 or so 100 foot plus towers, and he sent me a BQ9P card, thanking me for the 'one that will put him on the honor roll' and no SASE.  I hope his card has arrived by now via the bureau.

I think the 'QSL is the final courtesy' of a QSO is a valid part of our hobby, but it needs to be tempered with all the various awards, etc that folks are chasing.  I for one would like to see the LOTW concept be used as a 'single' spot for log storage, if folks are going to use electronic QSO confirmation, and have all of the QSO checking be accomplished thru LOTW for the various awards.  One thing I have found, even with LOTW, is that there are folks that are chasing a lot of awards outside of the ARRL sponsored ones...and the 'paper' QSL is still needed. 

One other thing that would help QSLing is the combination of a need to 'QSL' every QSO, and the various awards that require 'multiple' confirmation of a country....I understand some are required yearly, for example, kind of like a 'DXCC for the year 2000, 2001, etc.

Doing what I do, it amazes me how many people do one or more of the following:
-QSL every contact that they make, usually via the bureau, and expect a QSL in return.  How many times do you need a garden variety Caribbean country confirmed?
-QSL via direct, via the bureau, and via email.  One thing that really makes my job tough is those that QSL direct, via the bureau, via email, vi a the bureau again (and again, and again).  Some countries obviously have bureaus that are 'free for members'.  Not the case in the USA....and a single QSL can cost something like 4-8 cents to send via the bureau.  Large bureau demands can be an incredible expense.....and I know a lot of managers do not use the bureau..as well as contest stations, etc...and I can see why.

Bottom line.   If you want to increase your chance of getting  a QSL, you might consider including a SASE.  That's the best shot at maximizing your QSL rate.  If you dont, you're depending on the other side of the QSO to respond, and while 'QSLs ARE THE FINAL COURTESY'....there are a lot of reasons why that courtesy may not be extended for a QSL without SASE, at least not in a timely manner.

73