[Elecraft] QSL Card recommendations?

[Julian (G4ILO)]

I was pleased with the quality and service provided by FDS Graphics, who 
made me some nice cards a couple of years ago with a nice Lake District 
view on the front, and a monochrome image of my K2 on the back, as a 
"backdrop" to the QSO details. But I shan't have any more printed once 
these run out. Colour cards are pricey, the return rate through the bureau 
is too disappointing, and too many DX stations don't seem to use the bureau 
anyway. I don't QSL direct no matter how rare the DX, it's too much hassle 
and too expensive.

I think electronic QSLing is the way to go. It's cheaper and, as you remark 
Dave, much faster. Although the eQSL system does have some shortcomings, it 
does work very well, and it's on the way to achieving the critical mass of 
users.

What surprises me is the interest in printing QSLs direct from the computer 
log on to the printer, to send via the post or bureau. I'd have thought 
that these would be literally not worth the paper they are printed on. The 
point of the eQSL system is that the QSL cards are generated from a log 
entry submitted by the sender, who can be authenticated. But anyone with an 
art package could knock up and print a false QSL from some needed country 
in order to claim an award, if they wanted to.

73,
--
Julian, G4ILO. (RSGB, ARRL, G-QRP, K2 #392)
G4ILO's Shack: http://www.qsl.net/g4ilo

Dave Sergeant dsergeant@connectfree.co.uk wrote:

Associated, but not directly related to this theme, is the subject of 
electronic QSLs (http://www.eqsl.cc/qslcard/index.cfm) which are now 
commonly used by many operators. I accept that they are not valid for 
DXCC (but are for some other awards), but they certainly give me 
satisfaction and can be easily printed to stick on the wall.

My eQSL (you can design your own card from several templates) has a 
picture of my own K2, easily done with a digital camera. If you want 
to see it of course, you will have to QSO me and then exchange the 
log information on eQSL..

I obtained my DXCC with QRO years ago and am no  longer interested in 
chasing cards direct for that purpose. But I do of course still send 
cards via the bureau and direct for special ones. But some of the 
cards I have received via eQSL have given me much satisfaction - 
8N1OGA Ogasawara Is received immediately after the QSO, would have 
taken ages the old way.