sierra blanca amateur radio club “pse qsl” tried and tested ways to send & receive qsl cards...
TRANSCRIPT
Sierra Blanca Amateur Radio Club
“PSE QSL”Tried and Tested Ways to
Send & Receive QSL Cards
By Wayne Greaves, WØZW
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Topics
QSL basics What's the appeal? The QSL cycle How to send How to receive Tracking your results
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QSL Basics
“QSL” is a Q-signal abbreviation meaning confirmation of receipt
To QSL a contact is to exchange written confirmation of a 2-way QSO
Traditionally done by exchanging QSL cards
Exchanging QSL cards is considered the “final courtesy” of a contact
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QSL Card Examples
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QSL Card Examples
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QSL Card Examples
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What's the Appeal?
Obtain operating awards DXCC WAC WAZ
Decorate the shack It's fun!
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The QSL Cycle
Ur CardDX Card
Work the
Station
ConfirmsQSO
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Your QSL Card
Every station should have its own personalized QSL cards
Available as cheaply as 100 for $10 Custom four-color glossy photo cards
available 1,000 for $120 and up Can't request a QSL if you don't have
your own!
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Required Information
Station Date Time Mode Freq RSTQSL
Confirming 2-way contact with:
Your Call Sign
Your Signature or
“Verified By” stamp
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How to Send
QSL Bureau QSL Manager (domestic) QSL Manager (foreign) QSL Direct
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QSL Bureau
An organization that sends or receives QSL cards in bulk to/from DX entities on behalf of participating members
Use “outgoing” bureau to send QSLs Use “incoming” bureau to receive QSLs ARRL provides outgoing QSL service
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QSL Bureau
Martin Cook, N1FOC, sorting outgoing QSLs sent via ARRL bureau in various bins, ready to be forwarded.
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QSL Bureau
Advantages Least expensive method Good response rate Can send to QSL managers Disadvantages Can take a year or longer! Some DX may not accept via bureau
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QSL Manager
An individual who handles QSL cards on behalf of another ham
Listen for QSL instructions, for example “QSL via W5XYZ”
Managers can be domestic or foreign A thankless yet important job!
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QSL Manager
Joseph Arcure, W3HNK has managed QSLs for nearly 400 call signs over 35 years!
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QSL Manager (domestic)
Many DX stations have stateside QSL managers
Not expensive Pay postage both ways (SASE) Excellent response rates Good turn around time
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QSL Manager (foreign)
Excellent response rates Can get expensive Faster return that QSL Bureau Pay postage both ways
- IRC
- Foreign postage
- Green Stamps $$
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QSL Direct
Send card direct to DX address Best response rate Most expensive way to QSL Pay postage both ways
- IRC
- Foreign postage
- Green Stamps $$
Postal addresses can be hard to find
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International Reply Coupon
A coupon exchangeable for 1st class postage in country where redeemed
Sold by US Postal Service for $1.85
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Green Stamps
U.S. Dollar is nearly universally accepted Use in lieu of IRC $2.00 is the going rate to ensure a reply There is a risk it can be stolen en-route
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Looking Up DX Address
QRZ.COM call sign look-up IK3QAR Ham Radio site QSL manager
look-up DX bulletins Google search on call sign
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Manager Look-Up
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Bulletins
Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin 425 DX News W1AW DX Bulletins The Daily DX
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How to Receive
Have your correct mailing address on QRZ.COM
Keep envelopes on-file with your incoming QSL bureau
Work stations Send QSL cards
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Incoming QSL Bureau
In U.S. organized by call number district Each has an informative Web site Follow instructions for use Keep envelopes on-file Send extra stamps when rates increase
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W5 Incoming Bureau
www.okdxa.org/buro
W5 QSL Bureau
P.O. Box 2591
Claremore, OK 74018-2591
Manager: Jerry Chouinard, K5YAA
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Tracking Your Results
What to track Entities By mode By band Sent/Confirmed/Verified
Paper and pencil Shoe box organizer PC software
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QSL Database Application
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Handy References
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Summary
Collecting QSL cards is fun! Every ham should have own QSL card Set a goal to achieve WAS, WAC, DXCC,
VUCC, etc. Get on the air and work stations!