[DX] Re: DXpedition Greenstamps (was VP8THU video)

[Ron Stordahl]

Steve

Your one of the good guys that's for sure!

Here is what I would expect to see:

Expenses associated with the QSLing which the manager pays should be
reimbursed from what comes in the envelope.  Postage, printing, supplies,
equipment (there would be some to make the job possible after all).

It's got to be a labor of love, I personally would like to think you were
reimbursed for your time, but I suspect that would be impossible.

If there is anything left it could go to the DX, as you have been doing.
When it's warrented, an expensive dxpedition, a fine operation, a station in
a country where I would guess they can't likely even afford QSL's, then I
will put in extra and in the case of stations you manage I will know its put
to proper use.

There are others, I won't mention the managers, where there is a lot of
doubt, but as I said in your case 'Your one of the good guys!'.

Ron N5IN


----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven Wheatley KU9C" <ku9cqslmanager@ku9c.com>
To: "Ron Stordahl" <ron_stordahl@exchange.digikey.com>;
<Paul.Ferguson@pobox.com>; <DX@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2002 2:42 PM
Subject: DXpedition Greenstamps (was VP8THU video)


> Ron, I think that, with the request for donations, comes some degree of
> accountability for their use.  I know that every DXpedition that I have
> managed, every penny, including the 20 cents I 'make' on a greenstamp
> provided for a 80 cent stamp, or the sale of a IRC, is carefully accounted
> for.  It is then returned to the DXpedition to 'pay the bills'.
>
> I can also tell you that, for example, when a ham throws a greenstamp into
a
> station i manage that is NOT a dxpedition...it is returned to that station
> in some form or another.  If anyone has worked one of my CO8 guys on 6
> meters, you can thank some greenstamps, and a bit of heroics getting a rig
> and amp to him.  Some of the others have logging software, monoband
contest
> beams, or new modes because of these greenstamps.  Even the 'contest
> stations' such as WP2Z.  I'm heading down there in a bit, and taking a 6
> meter beam, and a WARC beam is in the works....to provide a few more bands
> for guys to work off contest.
>
> I figure when a ham gives me a greenstamp, they want me to put it to good
> use.  I can either do as above, buy beer/soda/coffee for my personal
> enjoyment while stuffing envelopes, or return it.  I make the assumption
> that it wasn't meant to be returned, or it wouldn't have found it's way
into
> the envelope.  I have always managed to fund my own beer supply...so I
feel
> the most appropriate use is as above.  Hopefully you all agree.
>
> That being said, I believe you are safe to assume the greenstamps will go
to
> the right place with DXpeditions if you send something to the manager.
It's
> sometimes less clear if it's not a DXpediton, such as the contest stations
> and 'normal' stations that I've hinted at above.  I think, as a QSL
manager,
> I owe you some degree of detail on where it goes.  I sense I'm doing a
fair
> job on that, based on the greenstamps I get.
>
> One thing that does bother me, and you've read this before...is people
> handling cards that claim they cannot afford to answer via the bureau.
That
> bothers me, as I don't understand the math that leads them to that
> conclusion.    I'm not sure I'd throw much in the way of greenstamps in
that
> situation, without understanding how they're used for.  As you might
sense,
> I do bureau cards, sometimes slowly, but that also is part of what your
> greenstamp goes towards....and I think it helps a lot of budding hams out
> and encourages the hobby.
>
> Tell me you don't enjoy a bureau envelope in your mailbox.
>
> 73
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Stordahl" <ron.stordahl@digikey.com>
> To: "Steven Wheatley KU9C" <ku9cqslmanager@ku9c.com>;
> <Paul.Ferguson@pobox.com>; <DX@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2002 3:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [DX] VP8THU video
>
>
> > I suspect many wonder, I know that I do, what happens when we put in a
> > little extra cash with our QSL request.  It seems to me to be the most
> > direct way to make a contribution towards a DXPedition which we have
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Ron N5IN
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Steven Wheatley KU9C" <ku9cqslmanager@ku9c.com>
> > To: <Paul.Ferguson@pobox.com>; <DX@mailman.qth.net>
> > Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2002 1:08 PM
> > Subject: Re: [DX] VP8THU video
> >
> >
> > > While I'm a firm believer that we should donate only to those things
> that
> > we
> > > feel have met our own personal 'hurdles' for us to open our own
> checkbook
> > or
> > > wallet or purse, I continue to remind all of you that without
donations,
> > > most/all of the rare DX we've been able to work, or perhaps were
> > frustrated
> > > because we didn't work, got to the place so we could work them as
'rare
> > dx'
> > > BECAUSE OF DONATIONS.  Look at the transportation costs alone of
> > operations
> > > like VP6DI and PW0T.
> > >
> > > Add up what you've got into ham radio, antennas, equipment, and the
> like.
> > > Add up the fun you've had chasing the new one.  Remember the top ten
> best
> > > chases you've had for that elusive 'new one' in the last few years.
And
> > > then, imagine not having that chase because there were no brave souls
or
> > > organizations willing to commit the $$$ (up front, usually, I might
add)
> > to
> > > get to the 'rare one'.
> > >
> > > Certainly not everyone is in a position to donate.  I understand that.
> > But
> > > if you can, you should seriously consider it.  EVEN IF it's not 'run
the
> > way
> > > you'd like it'.  Remember, unless you front the cost of the operation,
> > your
> > > donation is likely still a small part of the total cost of the
> operation.
> > > And the operators, planners, and organizers of the dxpedition have a
lot
> > > more skin in the game, including, quite often, putting their personal
> > safety
> > > at increased risk to give you that new one.
> > >
> > > If that were not the case, most often it wouldn't be rare to begin
with!
> > >
> > > 73
> > > Steve
> > >
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