[SJDXA] Fwd: [Club Log] OQRS / LoTW discussion

[N2OO]

FYI 


73. Bob Schenck, N2OO

Sent from my iPhone 

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Steve Chamberlain" <vk6ir at ham-radio.biz>
> Date: May 17, 2016 at 18:37:58 EDT
> To: "Lance Martin" <L.Martin at curtin.edu.au>, "QSL Manager H.A.R.G." <qsl_manager at harg.org.au>, "Alek Petkovic" <vk6apk at bigpond.com>, "Bob Schenck N2OO" <n2oo at comcast.net>
> Subject: Fw: [Club Log] OQRS / LoTW discussion
> 
>  
>  
> From: G7VJR
> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 5:23 AM
> To: Club Log
> Subject: [Club Log] OQRS / LoTW discussion
>  
> Hi all,
>  
> Thanks for all the comments and other emails sent privately about using OQRS only to request an LoTW confirmation.
>  
> A discussion about this comes up on this reflector and gets a wholesome discussion (without any fights breaking out!) on a reasonably regular basis. It's very helpful this happens, firstly because I need to gauge opinion and make sure Club Log stays relevant. Sometimes change is necessary. On the other hand, since Club Log provides the most widespread OQRS solution in our hobby, if something changes in Club Log it will have widespread consequences. I'm cautious about this, and want to take proper care not to inadvertently disturb the QSLing hobby. This is something I am sure everyone can appreciate.
>  
> Here's where we are today:
>  
> 1) Club Log offers direct and bureau choices in the OQRS checkout. Direct cards can be charged in numerous ways, at whatever fair price the QSL manager picks.
> 2) QSL managers have to accept bureau requests, and must provide them without charge. The only exception is top-30 DXCCs, which may charge precisely $1 (by special request only).
> 
> (Why? New DXers depend on the bureau to make getting into DXCC a realistic, affordable choice. It's always been this way before OQRS. Willing QSL managers are out there and do a fantastic job in cases where bureau procedures are problematic for the DX station).
>  
> 3) An 'advance donor' tool exists which allows DXpeditions to collect money before expeditions take place, and can help them to prioritise QSLs (or LoTW uploads) at their own discretion (see https://secure.clublog.org/make_donation.php). It also serves as a way to collect and account for donations at any stage during or after the activity.
>  
> Proposed additions or changes are:
>  
> 4) Allow the bureau option to be turned off by the QSL manager, either to suit their preference or because the QSL manager has no access to the bureau.
>  
> 5) Allow OQRS to offer a third choice of just an LoTW request, with a donation feature
>  
> I have to point out that this is only logical for one reason, namely to prioritise donors' LoTW uploads. All QSOs can be uploaded to LoTW - and LoTW uploads are free. By putting an OQRS transaction on the front, you are saying that you will only upload those particular QSOs to LoTW.  A simple PayPal donation button would otherwise be sufficient (again referring you to https://secure.clublog.org/make_donation.php).
>  
> Expeditions are generally leaning in this direction of rewarding donations (or not rewarding non-donors?) by controlling LoTW uploads, and DXers have to decide if they want it enshrining in Club Log OQRS, which will make it more prevalent, even in cases which we don't think of as expeditions. Please just remember again, a donation can be made with a donation button. You don't need to use OQRS for this. If you want to support an expedition and don't want a card, making a donation achieves what you need (even though it depends on the expedition in question, it does tend to be true).
>  
> I know this is somewhat emotive and messy in places, and that the idea of Club Log somehow guaranteeing your LoTW confirmation would seem to be a good thing (even though I am sorry to say we cannot do that just yet).
>  
> I do think it's a good idea to get this thrashed out. Do we want to drop the bureau requirement, and do we want to allow charging for LoTW uploads? Perhaps it would be helpful to draw attention to this discussion a little more widely. If you can, please let those who would likely feel strongly about it to see this post.
>  
> vy 73
> Michael G7VJR
> Club Log
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