[Dx-qsl] QSLing courtesy

[Ron]

You hit it right on the head Steve.
Other things that some do not realize. Some stations I manage tell me NOT 
to qsl via the buro. Their choice. My stations and my directions are on 
qrz.com.
73
Ron
AC7DX

  At 02:03 PM 9/13/2004 -0400, Steven Wheatley KU9C wrote:
>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
>
>
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