[SOC] O.T. Logbook of the World and eQSL.org

[Bill Cunningham]

> Parsimoniously?  Can you SAY that on the radio?

Better than than saying "tighter than a nun's nasty."

>
>   I suppose if I
> was a Dxer and made several thousand Q's a year, my opinion would change..

Anything  approaching that volume generates significant postage expenses.  I
try to keep this to the level of "pocket money" vs "equipment investment."
When stuffing cookie jar, saving up to buy K1, I found QSLing costs to be a
significant competitor and that got my attention.

> But I'm more of a rag-chewer and I was taught that the QSL is the final
act
> of courtesy for a good QSO.

Absolutely agree for this type of QSO, something quite different from
mechanical confirmation of a mechanical contest QSO.  The latter has value
for quantitative goals and awards, but is impersonal.

 I've also set a personal goal of WAS on 20M
> PSK-31 with 10 watts or less, which is one reason I want the paper cards.

A worthy goal.  And the real point is that you have made it a personal goal
with a finite number of associated cards whose value/validity is determined
by you alone.

(Interjecting wonderful motto from my mountain climbing nephew -- Salute the
objective because it is worthy of being your personal objective.  If not
worthy of salute, don't climb.  Start your climb, letting nobody pass you.
If somebody does pass you, salute the superior climber; but continue to your
objective because if it was worthy of your original salute, it remains your
personal objective.)
>
> I've decided that I'll upload all my Q's to LOTW and eQSL and follow up
the
> ones I need for whatever award I'm seeking with a 'real' card.  Of course,
> I'll reply to any cards that I receive as well.  I've been a ham for
nearly
> 30 years and still get a thrill out of getting a card in the mail.

Sounds entirely reasonable.

> Maybe  I'm just getting senile!!!

Ain't we all


72,
Bill C