[Dx-qsl] New style IRCs vs. Old Style IRCs

[Dave G4GED]

Tom,
If all POs in all UPU countries abided by the Universal Postal Union  rules 
there would be no difference.
Either style IRCs should be exchangable for a basic rate airmail letter 
postage stamp at the current price.
Only difference is, "old" style IRCs do not have an expiry date so should 
never expire but "new" style IRCs will expire on 30th  Dec. 2006, as printed 
on them.
However, it seems many POs and postal admins. in many UPU countries are 
quite happy to make up their own rules, or interpretation of the UPU rules, 
and many seem to have decided to reject the "old" in favor of the "new" 
only.
You are lucky that your local PO abides by the rules as do any that I've 
used in the UK for exchanging IRCs (and whether they are endorsed or not) 
but it would be very  risky to use the "old" style IRCs for your QSL 
requests as there's a very strong likelihood that  DX stations in many 
countries will reject it, and you will never receive a reply.
73 Dave



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom LeClerc W1TJL" <w1tjl at arrl.net>
To: <dx-qsl at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 7:35 PM
Subject: [Dx-qsl] New style IRCs vs. Old Style IRCs


> OK folks, I have a question.  New v.s old style IRCs.  What is the
> real difference??  At my local post office there doesn't seem to be a
> difference.  They take them both for 1 first class overseas postage.
> Couldn't find anything on the USPS website about it either...
>
> 73, Tom W1TJL
>
> --
> Tom LeClerc, Amateur Radio Station W1TJL
> (past calls WB1CBY, /VE8, /VE1, /VO8)
>
>          LeClerc Consulting
>            eBay ID Fangers
>         email: w1tjl at arrl.net
>        PC/Network Consulting
>


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