Re: [IRCA] Poor Excuses kill this hobby

["Jim Pogue" <KH2AR@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Konnie,

I think the issue here is not "whether" stations who test are asked to QSL,
but "what" actually constitutes a QSL. Speaking from experience and many
conversations with previous BTCs Les and J.D., I can testify to the fact
that it is becoming more and more difficult to get stations and CE's
(whether hams or not) to even consider doing a test. We are lucky to get a
10 percent response on our requests for tests, and even fewer of those are
affirmatives.

When I contact a station, part of the request is always a clear explanation
that DXers who send reception reports are going to expect to hear back from
the station with a verification of their reception if their report is
correct. The brochure that goes along in each test request package also
includes an explanation of QSLing and makes it clear that DXers have that
expectation in response to a reception report.

As I said before, I don't think it is appropriate - especially since the
station is generally doing us a BIG favor by conducting the test - to insist
that their responses to DXers be done jot and tittle the way we want. Again,
this is not an area where I believe a major education program for
broadcasters is appropriate.

Yes, I am a ham, and on those rare occasions when I get a request for a QSL,
I do so 100 percent. I can?t say the same for all other hams. Sometimes I
get stiffed there too, just as I do by broadcasters. Your comparison between
ham QSLing and BCB QSLing seems a little flawed to me, since for hams, it
should be an integral part of the hobby with (theoretically) two willing
participants, while for BCB QSLing it is a very one-sided and tangential
aspect, with broadcasters having a very limited - if any - interest in
QSLing. 

All tests that we have scheduled this season have agreed to respond directly
to DXers with verifications. If the quality of the QSL or verie is not up to
your standards Konnie, I apologize. I would invite you to contact any
stations which you feel have not provided the kind of response you want and
work it out between the two of you. But if you choose to do this, please be
polite and don't alienate the station personnel from future DXers by making
inappropriate demands.

As for no response at all, if you run into this problem, I will be more than
happy to go to bat and try to explain to the person at the station just how
important a QSL is, and do whatever is necessary to illicit their
cooperation. I've already done this for a few tests from years past.

OK - I hope this horse is officially dead, since my arm is getting tired
beating it. However, if other DXers want to chime in with their opinions,
I'm always happy to listen and learn.

73s, Jim  

-----Original Message-----
From: irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Konnie Rychalsky
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:41 PM
To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America
Subject: [IRCA] Poor Excuses kill this hobby


Jim,
 
With all due respect, you are a ham radio operator, and the reference at the
bottom of your recent post ( QRZ.com ) does an excellent job at  "defining"
what a QSL is, unless you have redefined it.  I in no way suggested that you
insist upon the testing-station that you educate them, but come on now....
you "ARE" a ham radio operator.... and wouldn't it help to a) when you ask a
station to run a test, ask them if they have a QSL available, b) if not,
offer one, and c) it would be nice to let us know?????  Ham radio operators
know what QSLs are, and no news to you I'm sure.  Aren't you of all people
suppossed to encourage the hobby of radio?  Doesn't Ham radio include
QSLs???
 
To everyone on this list, are you implying that even if you do coordinate a
DX test, it's possible a QSL will not be issued?  If indeed possible, isn't
it worth asking?  Most QSLs I receive from stations are from those who were
or currently are Ham radio operators.  I will remain gratefull with a "QSL."
I include a friendly letter with my reports showing examples of QSLs, even
on an idea for a quick make-shift QSL if the station doesn't have one [and
I'll add I've received phonecalls in return stating they were interested.]
Maybe if you'll ask, you'll be surprised on the answer, and therefore help
the station and the hobby.  The reason for hearing a distant station is to
have your reception confirmed, as proof, and that is done via a QSL card.
Somehow, coordinating a test and not checking into a QSL response just falls
short to the "hobby" that began long before you or I were even born.  To
settle for less, doesn't help the hobby.  Personally, anything less is just
that, something less.
 
I believe your response has lead me to question if it is worth staying up,
or getting up, to listen to a test anymore.  Who's suppossed to share the DX
& QSL with the station, if the test coordinator doesn't?  Don't you think
that if a station will not issue a QSL, we should know that ahead of time?
I cannot find your explanation to ask, or educate, adequatly helps the
hobby.
 
A fish is a fish, a worm is a worm, and a QSL is a QSL.  As for "these days"
one of the problems of receiving less than a QSL just may be found in your
response.  Maybe instead of a stamp, each DXer can send in a dollar, and
with the $10 - $20, you can supply the station with a gift...uh, QSL
cards!!!!!! about 100 worth.  You will have left the hobby a better place
than you found it.
 
Then, dxers will be gratefull to you and the IRCA for making a difference.
What is the IRCA for anyway?  And coming from a Ham radio operator
????????????
 
God, that was simple.  People, stop settling for less, and poor excuses.
Get involved in your hobby!  Stop looking for what you can get, and add
selfishly to a raggetty old shoe box full of mold and mildew stuck in a
closet that won't see light for another ten years... and starting looking on
how to give to others, including an education on what a QSL really is, and
supply them.  There needs to be a serious attitude shift here.  That should
start the keyboards clicking, eh?
 
Konnie
SW CT
> From: KH2AR@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007
21:31:09 -0600> Subject: Re: [IRCA] QSL from WIGG 1420 for DX TEST> > Folks,
I gotta say, any time you get a response from a station these days> and the
"intent" is to verify your reception, you need to be grateful. I am> certain
that this was the intent by WIGG. The days of insisting upon a full> data
verification with date, time, frequency, power, etc., and an> unambiguous
"your reception is verified" statement or the like are gone. In> a word, no,
not all stations are aware of what constitutes what we DXers> would
categorize as a full data QSL. And I'm not about to try and launch an>
education program. Again, we are lucky to get the test and a snail-mail>
response to our reception reports at all.> > Jim Pogue
KH2AR/WPE9HLJ/KG6DX1A> Memphis, Tennessee USA> > NRD-535, R-390A, ICF-2010>
Wellbrook LA5030 loop, PAØRDT mini-whip,> attic longwire, Quantum phaser> >
QRZ.com/KH2AR> > -----Original Message-----> From:
irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]> On
Behalf Of Konnie Rychalsky> Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 7:45 PM> To:
Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America> Subject: Re:
[IRCA] QSL from WIGG 1420 for DX TEST> > > I thought the definition of a
"QSL" confirms a date? Isn't this instead a> "Verie?" On another note,
aren't the stations that run these DX tests aware> of "QSL" response?> >
Konnie> SW CT> > > Yesterday received a hand written letter with business
card from WIGG> > 1420khz for DX Test on Nov 4th., signed by Paul Turner. No
date was> > mentioned.
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