[South Florida DX Association] UK Postage rate increase

[Bill Marx]

With effect from 2nd April 2007, UK postal rates will rise across the board by slightly more than 10%.

Whereas it has been the situation for some time that US $1 has been insufficient to pay for the minimum return postage to countries outside Europe, this new increase will mean that US $1 is no longer sufficient to pay for the minimum return postage to countries *WITHIN* Europe.

There is no surface mail service offered by the Royal Mail to countries within Europe.  However, they do offer a surface mail service to countries outside Europe.  However, and at today's exchange rate, the new postage cost is barely met by US $1 and with the continuing decline in the dollar/pound sterling exchange rate, is unlikely to remain so.

The good news is that the new, 2009 expiry IRCs are still exchangeable for the minimum return postage to all parts of the world.  However, very few seem to be using them at present.

Please bear the above in mind when sending QSL requests which may not be able to be processed and returned before 2nd April 2007.  In particular, the cards for the VP2MTE operation are unlikely to be received from the printers by this date.

Please do not send currency other than US dollars or properly stamped, 2009 expiry IRCs.  If you must use mint stamps, please supply them loose (not stuck onto the envelope).

Any QSL requests received without adequate return postage will be answered via the RSGB bureau.
-- 
Phil Whitchurch
G3SWH, AD5YS
-- 
Thanks to John K1XN

GUD DX

73,
Tony N2MFT