[Dx-qsl] QSLing courtesy

[Steven Wheatley KU9C]

Kenji and all...

I believe your comment on the JA bureau is correct.  I think that there are a small number of bureaus that are 'FREE for members'.  It appears from your comments that the JA is one, I think based on QSL cards received, and the quantity of dupes received, that perhaps there are 5 or 6 other countries that have similar rules.

I think what Kenji said is ABSOLUTELY right on.  Folks with a 'free qsl bureau system' often assume it's no pain for them to send every QSO, and assume that the folks at the other end want them.  In the US, depending on what letter bureau you have, it costs a 'credit' or a SASE for every 10 or so cards.  Lets assume 37 cents....thats almost 4 cents a card to receive.  Now, lets assume you choose to answer that card.  Unless you print on toilet paper, it's 3-4 cents minimum for the card, and postage to the ARRL bureau ....perhaps another 1-2 cents, and then the cost per pound......which is another 4-6 cents.  

SO.....should I care to answer your card, it's perhaps 8-12 cents PER CARD......minimum.  Should I not care to get your card, but use the bureau system, it's 3-4 cents to get your card.

Bottom line.  Please please PLEASE use the bureau only for those cards you want, particularly if you are 'garden variety' DX.  I received one comment from a person that was not garden variety dx, and was going to issue every QSL via the bureau.  I suspect few will complain about receivng his card, but how many KU9C cards do you really want, to confirm NJ on a band?  Admittedly, few KU9C cards go out...as I rarely get on the radio, but you get the point.

Folks that carp on managers for not dealing with bureau cards.....think of the math above.  It's nothing for me to recieve over 100 pounds of QSL cards a year...perhaps closer to 200 pounds.  That makes the cost of the bureau system staggering!

73