Re: [HCDX]: Why QSL? (was: Re: addresses)

[mwdxer@xxxxxxxxx (Patrick Martin)]

What a very interesting report on QSLing!!! 
  I have been an avid QSLer for many years and I still am just as active
with over 3000 MW, SW, etc QSLs. Over 2650 of them are MW.
   I still get the CE answering the report, but more than ever it is the
news director, promotions director, etc that I get the reply from.  I
still get the "Yes, you heard our station". but gone are the days of the
complete QSL in many cases. The DXer gets to the point where he/she will
accept less of a QSL, as at least the reply came in. I have gotten that
way. The prepared QSL card is something I would have never used years
ago, now I use them  once in a while. I guess you have to change with
the times too.
   CEs now has to engineer several stations. Where as in the old days
(50s, 60s), they had one station or an AM&FM combo. Who listened to FM
in those days? AM was everything.  CEs were Hams or at least from the
"old school" knowing about QSLing. Many were DXers themselves and QSL'd.
I have more than one QSL letter where the CE mentioned he QSL'd as a
child.
   E Mail QSLs are another change in recent times. I don't care for them
much either, but if that is the only way to get a QSL, then I will take
it. I have gotten a few like that. The stations will not QSL any other
way, including ppc.
   I have been an avid QSL
and I will continue to be. You see QSLing to me is at least 70% of the
hobby. Without QSLing I probably would not continue to DX much.  Through
out the years, the reason for QSLing has changed too. Yes, the old
reason to prove you heard the station still stands. But more than that,
the history behind the collection. I QSL call changes. It many cases I
have all the call changes a station has gone through. The different
locations on the dial. In so many cases talking to the station personnel
they don't even know where they came from.  Many don't know including
the GM or CE that their station was the first in town, had three call
letters, etc. Yes, the old QSL collection is really a piece of history. 
   I also tape about everything I hear. It is good for follow ups as I
send taped reports out often. I have tapes back to the 60s & 70s.
However, the only time I check any out is for a follow up. I would
rather have the letter or card from the station.
   No, QSLing will always be there for me. Always! Without it, DXing
would be a very uninteresting hobby.

73s,

Patrick Martin
Seaside  OR  

P.S. By the way, I started QSLing in 1965.

Patrick
http://www.CallingHollywood.com

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