[OKDXA] GS or IRC? - Try LOTW, also

[N5PA]

Peter:

If you want a quick response to your QSL, send them two GS in with your Self
Addressed Envelope.  This works 99.9% of the time but it is expensive.  But
if you want to get your cards confirmed this is the absolute best way to do
it.  I have had varying luck with IRC's and I live in a very rural area with
limited access to them.  Like you said, the Post Office does not know what
they are most of the time.  As far as the bureau goes, some countries do not
have bureaus, but I use it now when I can and I reply to all the cards I get
from the bureau, which are usually 50-100 cards a month.  I have received
some cards from the bureau this past month from 2000, so it can be a very
slow method of receiving your cards.  I would suggest going direct with a
Self Addressed Envelope and two GS for your first 100 cards to get them
confirmed and to get your award.  After that, it is up to you.  If you are
not chasing 5-Band DXCC, the DXCC Challenge Award, or some other award, I
would use the bureau when you can.  It is much easier on the pocketbook.
You just need to make sure that the country uses a bureau.  A lot of
DXpeditions will only use the direct method with SASE and two GS minimum or
via the bureau.  Some QSL managers will only go direct with SASE and two GS
minimum.  The DXpedition to Rwanda this year would not send you a card
directly unless you donated a minimum of 25 Euros ($40).  They will send the
rest out some time later via the bureau.  I know back in the old days that
if you sent a card through the Russian Bureau, it would be a minimum of two
years before you got a card back from them.  Like I said, it is all your
preference on how quick you want your card back.  A SASE with two GS is the
quickest way to get your first 100 and then if you are not chasing some
other award use the bureau when you can.  I have had limited success with
IRC's.  Some of the hams on the other end do not like to fool with them, and
others sell them, and still others use them.  The biggest solution for you
to use is LOTW, I use it a lot and I have had great success with it.  It is
quick and easy to use.  I have received 3 new countries this year via LOTW
and I have 315 confirmed.  Good Hunting!

73,
Alan, N5PA
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Laws [mailto:plaws at plaws.net] 
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:05 AM
To: Discussion of OKDXA
Subject: Re: [OKDXA] GS or IRC?

On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 07:45, N5PA <n5pa at n5pa.com> wrote:

> I probably used 99.9% GS to get my QSL cards.  I know a lot of people take
> them but there are a lot that do not or cannot take them.  I chose to do
the

Thanks for all the replies.

I've used GS before and got most of them back.  Doesn't help that I
moved 6 months after the last batch  and yes, I did file a COA with
the USPS.

I was poking at some ham postal websites and reading about IRCs.
Seems the USPS has always had "issues" with them probably due to the
fact that hams seem to be the only users!

The current price for an IRC is $2.10.  Many countries can't mail your
card back for a single GS, so 2GS is better anyway.  It's a wash that
way.

I wonder if getting 1 Euro bills would be better?  Their only about
$1.60 (+fee, surely).  Assuming there are Euro bills.

As for the buro, I have envelopes on file, but I need to confirm 12
countries to even *get* DXCC, and all but a few of these particular
QSOs have been QSLed via the buro at least once, most over two years
ago and some as long as 4 years ago.  So I really need to do direct
again ...


73,
Peter

-- 
Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train!

The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated,
and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.
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