[SFDXA] $20 for a qsl card?

[The Romagni's]

Interesting article by N6PSE... Yes we know hams are cheap, and with the
introduction of LOTW, I am sure contributions for return QSL is not the
same ( I can testify to that with the amount I get for the qsl's i manage
for the YV folks). When will dxers understand that it takes money to go to
some of this places....


Steve
W4DTA



$20 QSL/LoTW? I hope this isn’t a new trend…
Posted: February 3, 2018 in Uncategorized
5
Bad-Idea-Road-Sign

With last week’s DXCC rule change, the Republic of Kosovo has briefly
become the “most wanted” DXCC entity. Rarer than North Korea because until
now “it didn’t count” for a DXCC entity. While I welcome the DXCC rule
change which enabled Kosovo to join the DXCC program as a new entity, I am
a bit surprised at the QSL/LoTW announcement of today.

Today, the Project Goodwill Kosovo team has announced “As many have
requested confirmations during the ongoing activation, it has been decided
to do an immediate LoTW and fast direct QSL service for those who
contribute USD 20.00 or more. This option would not delay any of the
traditional QSL options, but just put a priority on those who are willing
to help Kosovo Amateur Radio finally move beyond the past ten difficult
years”.

So, in essence what they are offering is for $20, you can get a QSL card
and LoTW upload sooner rather than later. There is probably some appeal to
that for #1 Honor Roll guys that will “fall off” the top of the list if
they don’t keep all of the available entities confirmed. I get that.

I also strongly feel that DXpeditions to rare and remote places must
somehow cover their costs as best as they can. Most DXpeditions including
those organized by myself, have offered a QSL/LoTW via OQRS in the range of
$5 to $7. That has become the norm and while there has always some
grumbling about that, most DXers are comfortable with it and seem to prefer
it. Those $5 to $7 QSO/LoTW fees are for the convenience of using OQRS
rather than taking the time to send a card and self addressed stamped
envelope to the QSL Manager.

Those DXpeditions where there is a $5 to $7 OQRS fee often entailed huge
shipping/transportation costs where QSL income was essential to ease the
financial burden.

The vast majority of us do not mind a nominal fee for the convenience of a
quick turn around of a LoTW upload. A LoTW upload costs the Dxpedition
nothing! Not one cent.

In fact, the 2016 VP8STI/VP8SGI team was so elated with the financial
support that we received after the culmination of those DXpeditions that
within one week of our last contact, we had uploaded all of our contacts to
LoTW. The entire log, for each and every contact made with us. We uploaded
for everyone, donors and non-donors. The thought of asking $20 for a
confirmation from the #3 and #8 most wanted entities, with a $300,000 ship
charter would have never occurred to us.

So, I am a bit taken aback when the Project Goodwill Kosovo is offering a
quick/simple OQRS for $20. While some DXers will have no issue with this
amount, I am concerned that other low cost DXpeditions may follow with
potentially unreasonable charges for the convenience of a OQRS request.
Their logic may be that if Project Goodwill Kosovo could do it then we can
do it too.

With Project Goodwill Kosovo being a fly in Dxpedition without the massive
costs to charter a ship, buy generators and fuel, buy coax, antennas and
other gear, I see no reason to ask for $20 for a QSL card. There are many
generous donors in the DX realm who will add something extra from the
goodness of their heart.

I hope this does not become a new trend.

What do you think?



Paul N6PSE