[QCWA] IRCs Are A Thing Of The Past / My Solution

[Dan Violette]

Yes, QSLing direct for me is way down with LoTW working great for band
fills.  I do not need many all-time counters so only pursue QSLs for mode
fills and 80M to get 5BDXCC.  But since it is tough for DX to get an
account, there are still many that do not use it and direct is the only way.
BTW, the costs and fees for LoTW credits and awards came down this year.  I
finished the Challenge award this past year after getting active again (kids
grew up) via LoTW.  But about a half a dozen have been sent out to DX in the
last few months (and 2-3 times that to US managers) versus 100+ via LoTW.

Enjoy DX.

Dan KI6X

-----Original Message-----
From: n5ge at n5ge.com [mailto:n5ge at n5ge.com] 
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 11:02 AM
To: Dan Violette
Cc: qcwa at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [QCWA] IRCs Are A Thing Of The Past / My Solution


I quit paying for DX QSL's Three years ago and went with LOTW and eQSL.  

EQSL is free except for the award plaques.

LOTW is free until you request an award or update to an award.  The cost is
25 cents for each confirmed QSL when not asking for an award or updating an
award.  Since using LOTW I've updated my status from a
125 country mixed DXCC to 225 Mixed, 40m DXCC, and a CW DXCC.

Most of the DXpeditions use LOTW for QSLing now days anyway.

One thing that has never happened to me since I switched to LOTW is sending
5 bucks to slim...

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member



On Sat, 8 Dec 2012 10:24:41 -0800, "Dan Violette"
<danki6x at socal.rr.com> wrote:

>Maintained list of foreign postage rates:
>
>http://www.k4hb.com/postage.html
>
>A couple hams with postage service too:
>
>http://www.airmailpostage.com/
>
>Email prices from this person:
>http://www.arvelo.net/N2MZZ/N2MZZ-V02/nomenu-w-plum-site.html
>
>I use $2 (2 x $1, not $2 bill) usually.  There are lists that warn you 
>when
>$2 is not enough and $3 is needed or the DX/manager usually will even 
>say that on their QRZ.COM write-up.
>
>/Dan KI6X