[Ham-Mac] MacLoggerDX is my QSL Card Program

[Steve - VA3SPH]

Wanted to write this sooner about this but busy time of year.

Just wanted to share my QSL card process as it works well for me.   
Maybe it will for others?

I use MacLoggerDX to print all my QSL cards.  This is very convenient  
as it performs all my logging as well :-)
I have an Epson PictureMate connected to my iMac via USB.  It is a 4"  
by 6" printer designed for pictures and is ideal for QSL cards too!.   
I know QSL cards are suppose to be smaller (3.5" x 5.7"). I actually  
have a small cheap paper cutter that trim the card down to size.  
MacLoggerDX actually leaves the edges white so it easy to trim with a  
paper trimmer.

This system works great for me and I am send out a few cards a week.   
Well when things are good. ;-)

What I like about this system...

- it is a print on demand system which makes it very easy to print  
individual cards.
- no ordering bulk cards. Just print cartridges but I use this to  
print family photo's as well.
- Epson fade resistance ink is standard and will resist fading 100  
years.  (actually better than many tradition cards)
- Can change card by changing background picture. MacLoggerDX handles  
printing call sign and QSL details.
   Potential to print card and change them with season...
- Very high resolution printing
- One side printing mean all information is on the front.  Allows me  
to write on back any special comments.

Would be better if... (but these are really not show stopper for me)

-  Would be nice if it printed faster (takes about 2 min per card)
-  Would be nice if I could print right to QSL card size paper and  
not have to trim.
-  More control over QSL card information...
    but I know it will be in future versions and it already better  
than when I started with this system.

Cost are not high for this setup and I use ALL of the equipment for  
other home things not just QSL cards.

Here are some rough estimates in US dollars
Printer is about $200
Print cartridge (Comes with 100 sheets of 4x6 heavy photo paper) $25  
US (Printer comes with one of these)
Paper Trimmer is about $20 to 50 depending on size.

I can't send images to group mailing list so here are some links with  
the various components.

Here is a review of the PictureMate from a Windows perspective. It  
actually works better on a Mac OS X machine as you get more  
information on ink status etc...
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/epson_pm.html

Here is the trimmer I use to cut 4x6 picture card down to QSL card  
size...
(Actually the one I have is bit different but you get the idea)
http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp? 
CatIds=&webid=605267&affixedcode=WW

Here is link to MacLoggerDX (Can't say enough good thing about this)
http://www.dogparksoftware.com/MacLoggerDX.html
And because MacLoggerDX look up the address info from QRZ site I have  
it printing the envelopes too!

Oh and here is a low "WEB" res version of my card as an example...
http://va3sph.dyndns.org/example.jpg

I hope this is of some help.

Cheers & 73

Steve - VA3SPH