[DX] Incoming QSL bureau experiences

Wed, 24 Jul 2002 07:37:52 -0600

N4KG comments inserted below.

On Wed, 24 Jul 2002  Tom Horton <[email protected]> writes:
> 
> >I suggest that you may have better luck going through
> >the system rather than complaining on all of the DX
> >reflectors.  (N4KG)
> 
> John,
>   I agree with N4KG. If nothing else, contact the bureau manager.
> If you are not sure who it is, I will be glad to let you know, if we 
> knew  your call.

	There have been several posts to multiple DX reflectors by 
	John Geiger who identified himself as KA0IFG and NE0P 
	as copied below.  

> I am currently a sorter for the W5 bureau, and have been in teh past 
> as well.
> Most people have NO idea how many hours we, as volunteers, spend in 
> trying to get the cards out to the deserving. If I have cards for
someone, 
> and  they don't have  envelopes on file, I try to contact them via
e-mail or 
> snail mail to  let  them know they  have cards on file.

	AMEN !  Same here.  Whenever someone with NO envelopes
	accumulated 10 or more cards, I would send them gratis.
	Yes, there were a few deadbeats, but most were very grateful
	for this service and sent envelopes plus reimbursement.
	Some were so grateful, they made contributions to the 
	spare postage fund to enable me to continue this service.
	N4KG  (ex W4 QSL Bureau Sorter)
> 
> Most of the guys I deal with are super and very cooperative. There 
> are a  few, however,  that want you to put everything else aside and 
> get their cards to  them.
> 
> Since you get 5 or 6 ounces of cards at a time, I would be curious 
> to know  how much postage  you have on your envelopes at the bureau. 
> I know if I have an  envelope from someone with  enough postage for
more 
> than 1 ounce, I will not send the cards out  to that  feller until I
have
> enough to make it worth his while... UNLESS specifically asked to do 
> so.

	Same here.  I (almost) NEVER sent out envelopes with
	several ounces of postage when there were only a few cards
	accumulated.  N4KG
> 
> Also, just because you work a bunch of DX, it doesn't mean you will 
> get a  bunch of QSLs.  I find that the QSLing of DX stations is no
where 
> near as  plolific(sp?) as  it used to be. Some of this is probably due
to the very poor response DX stations get from the  US stations.
> 
> Good luck on getting your cards.
> 73, Tom K5IID
> 
> Tom Horton	
> K5IID in West "BY GAWD" Virginia
> " E " sorter for the W5 Bureau	
> 

	After 7 years and increasing demands on my time,
	the straw that broke this camel's (QSL Bureau Sorter)
	back was the guy who complained to ARRL about
	receiving some N4XYZ  QSL's in his (W4XYZ) envelope.

	Yes, this happens occassionally, but is a rare occurrance
	considering the total volume of cards processed.  MOST
	bureau users understand this and either return the cards
	or forward them to the intended recipient.  	

	Instead of contacting me directly, this ingrate raised holy
	H*** with the ARRL.  After that display of temper and
	intolerance, I submitted my resignation to the W4 QSL
	Bureau System after 7+ years of service. 

	Public criticism (such as the posts from NE0P) and irate
	complaints to ARRL, especially without even contacting the 
	sorter, do a lot to create BURNOUT in the Volunteer Service
	Sector!      Tom  N4KG 

From: John Geiger <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 12:30:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [DX] anyone else NOT hearing VP8THU??

I was thrilled to hear that there was going to be an
operation from South Sandwich Islands, since that is
one that I still need.  There is only one problem-I
can't hear them.  I tune to the spots that I see on
the internet cluster-and NOTHING?  I don't think that
my antenna is that bad.  It is a Cushcraft MA5B- (at 20 ft)
not a monobander or anything, but it did work the Falkland
Is. Dxpedition ok last year.  I also worked VP8SGK on
South Georgia last year, and can hear LU1ZA on the
SOuth Orkneys, just can't find when they are taking
the list.  

SO what is going on with VP8THU?  THis should be a
fairly easy path from the central US.  I realize that
they are taking a more simplestic approach to this
DXpedition-but I am afraid that that means that only
big guns with stacked monobanders will work them.  Is
there some aspect of the dxpedition that I don't know
about?  Are they forced to run QRP, or dipoles, or is
there a big mountain between them and the US?   

This is really getting frustrating.  When and where
should I listen?

73s John KA0IFG

My name is John Geiger and I am a professor of
psychology at Cameron University.  I am also an avid
DXer, and hold the callsign NE0P.  Last fall I send an
email to several different lists soliciting
participants for a research study I am conducting
about the personality types who go to dxpeditions to
remote uninhabited places.  I am sure that some of you
remember that message, and many of you decided to
volunteer, for which I am very grateful.

To continue this project, I am now looking for anyone
who went on a dxpedition, and didn't like the
experience.  If you are interested in participating,
you would only have to fill out a fairly brief
questioneer.  So, if you went on a dxpedition and
hated it, found it to be a terrible experience, and
wanted to vote everyone else off the island, please
respond to this email.  Or, if you hated the
isolation, the lack of other activities, or anything
else about the experience, let me know if you are
interested in participating.  

Thanks in advance,

John Geiger NE0P

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