|
SUCCESSFUL QSLing - by
HS0ZCW
Steps in sending a direct QSL to a DX
station:
- Obtain correct address via qrz.com or
use the GO List for QSL manager addresses, or search the Web via
Google or dxer.org.
- Consult the DX station’s web site or
web information for special instructions (such as "direct
only," "no IRC," or whatever).
- Send via Air Mail. If you know the DX
station has postal theft problems, send via Registered Mail (or via
FedEx if you are really desperate—one good FedEx is better than
three lost Air Mails).
- Write your own QSL card clearly in
permanent black ink.
- Use UTC/GMT times and dates only. Be
sure to label which number is the date and which number is the month
and year (for example, is 9/2/03-- Sept. 2, 2003 or is it Feb. 9, 2003
or maybe March 2, 1999 or Feb. 3, 2003?).
- Clearly mark if your contact was a QSO
or if you are a SWL.
- Be sure your own call sign is printed
clearly ON THE SAME SIDE OF YOUR CARD as the contact information (YOUR
CALL SIGN ALONG WITH time, date, band, mode, etc.).
- Use very clear type face for your
printed call sign. No Old English type; no cute curlicues, etc. Put a
slash in all zeros. Be sure your number one, your I and your lower
case l (L) are clearly different (note problems with 1, I and l, can
you tell the difference?). Oh and Zero and V and U are problems. Use
upper case block letters only.
- If you are THANKING receipt of a QSL,
mark that clearly or you will get a second card and will waste time
and money.
- Always enclose a self-addressed return
envelope (sae) that has:
11. The outer envelop:
- Do not seal your outer envelop so that
a finger can not get into the flap to open it.
- Use "security envelop" which
has colored printing inside to retard seeing through the outer
envelop.
- You can not configure your envelop to
stop postal theft so just use normal sealing methods and skip
inserting extra paper hoping to stop postal people seeing through
your envelop. Super sealing jobs invite attention of postal thieves.
- Do not write any ham radio
information, like call signs, on the outside of your envelops. Use
non-smear permanent ink.
- Use post office frank for postage. If
you affix real stamps, you invite theft of the whole envelope and
contents so that the thief can steal the stamps.
12. Also enclose:
- USA currency ($1 is rarely enough
these days, $2 is good, more if you feel generous) - See note
below....**
- Try to avoid IRCs because of problems
cashing them in.
- *Loose postage for the DX operator’s
country, if you want to do an extra favor.
- Do NOT fold the currency bills EXACTLY
in half.
- If you send no sae, no currency, nor
stamps, expect a card back via the buro, if you get one at all.
- **If you are sure that the DX
operator’s country forbids its citizens from having USD, it is
best to include postage for that country or, in last resort, use
IRCs. Use only USA Dollars, not other country’s currencies.
13.Note that
- a. Some operators like to get a separate
card for each contact, and it is best to QSL in this way.
- If you send cards for more than one call
sign (generally, not a good practice), be sure to increase your
donation for return postage due to increased effort and cost.
- The best envelopes are made of Tyvek
which is very water resistant, almost impossible to tear or puncture,
but can be cut easily with a knife for opening. Write on Tyvek only
with permanent markers to avoid wet smears. Tyvek does not take sticky
labels well and needs extra long runs of good tape.
14. Look at the mail you
have prepared and mentally try to use what you have
created.
That is, put yourself in the recipient’s
place and test your methods.
**Do not expect a return card just
because you sent money. Any money you send is a free gift. If you think
otherwise, then you are purchasing a QSL card which is contrary to the
ham spirit.
Do not send a second request until 6
months have passed since the first request. Mark your second request
with "second request."
Do not email the DX operator to inquire
about your QSL or your contact until a year has past.
Be sure you have envelops on file with
your buro.
Look at http://www.ac6v.com/qsltips.htm,
too.
Enjoy old fashioned paper… it is so
personal and fun !
A note about postal theft: Thieves who
steal mail on a regular basis seek envelopes that form a pattern: (a)
many similar ones to the same address, (b) thickness more than 1 paper
sheet, and (c) from rich countries. Thieves doing this regularly can not
be stopped by inserted carbon paper, valuables hidden inside inner
envelopes, or other "tricks" because they simply open ALL
envelopes fitting the pattern, take the valuables, and destroy the rest
(thus destroying the evidence of their theft). Some thieves steal only
for rare or odd stamps. Ham radio QSL mail makes a very easily
identifiable pattern that simply can not be defeated by the usual
tricks, so skip the tricks. Instead, try Registered Mail or, if
desperate, use FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Even if you disguise your mail to
look like an advertisement or typewritten official mail, the determined
regular thieves may well steal EVERYTHING to an address known to get
QSLs.
WHAT SHOULD BE PRINTED ON A GOOD QSL
CARD?
Front of Card:
- The call sign in clear type face (see
#8 above).
- The DXCC entity as given in DXCC list,
not just the name of a country***.
- ITU zone number
- CQ Magazine zone number
- Grid locator
- Notation if this is an island (and
IOTA number if possible).
- If USA, give county
- Latitude and longitude of the station
location.
- Operator name and address*** or
qrz.com notation.
On the front or rear of the card, this
info needs to be added:
- PSE or TNX QSL marked.
- Use the standard info box with the
info stated in this order, left to right or on two lines:
- Confirming QSO with
- Day
- Month
- Year
- Time in UTC or GMT only
- Frequency or Band (band is all DXCC
wants, but lots of ops like to state the exact operating frequency
in MHz—I like to put a freq that implies either SSB, CW, or
RTTY; for example, I use 14.2 for 20meter SSB and 14.0 for 20meter
CW contacts as a second indicator of the mode.
- RS(T)
- 2-Way Mode.
- If a computer printed label is used,
try to format the label with these same words and order of the
information.
- Sign the card with your name or
initials. For labels, make the strokes of your pen signature touch a
part of your label or use a uniquely shaped rubber stamp stating
"Verified by <your call sign>" that touches part of
the label.
- Repeat your call sign on both sides of
a double sided card.
- If you must use information formats
that allow marking a choice of band and mode, circle the correct
band and mode words rather than marking out what does not apply. Be
clear!
- If you have more than one call sign on
your card, clearly mark which call sign applies to this specific
contact.
- ***If your card is for a DXCC entity
that is a different country from the mailing address, be sure to
clearly state the DXCC entity for which this card applies.
- The most appealing art on a QSL is,
first, an operator photo; second, something personal and unique
about the operator (family photo, pet, other hobby, etc.) and
otherwise pictures of unique local items. A QTH locator map is a
nice touch. I have seen rigs and antennas before—omit if not
really unique. Pose your face turned toward the camera in front of
your rig or stand by your antenna to get it all in one photo.
|