Re: [IRCA] To Les-- (Semi-Monthly QSL Rant)

["David Faulkner" <dfdf@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Les:

	As I just said to Paul, I'm not arguing, just recalling a bit of DX
history.  (Occupational hazard--I'm A.B.D. in 20th century U.S. History at
Ohio University.)  In those days (the 1960's) people were suspicious of
anything not signed by a CE.  As far as I'm concerned, good riddance to such
days.  I also recall talking with George Carroll, CE at WPHM, who complained
vociferously about the quality of reports, even tapes, he received from
some DX'ers in the 1960's, and he was a faithful verifier when those reports
were good.

73's
David

-----Original Message-----
From: irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Les Rayburn
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 3:37 PM
To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America
Subject: Re: [IRCA] To Les-- (Semi-Monthly QSL Rant)

David,

I understand your point. But consider the following:

A. I'm not 17, but rather 45. Business owner, family guy, lifelong  
ham, and
dedicated to producing valid verifications. My nickname would likely  
be "boring" if I had one.

B. If we insist that stations handle the QSL's, especially for major  
tests like the ones in
Montana or Utah, then you'll have very few tests. Stations simply  
don't have the resources that they once did. Offering to handle QSL  
chores make it easier to get tests, period.

C. How "valid" is a piece of paper anyway? What worth do they hold to  
anyone other than the DX'er? I have four DX'ers who routinely submit  
false reports, claiming to hear DX tests when the tapes have no  
evidence. I'm certain that with many over worked engineers, those  
tapes might result in a verification.

I always (politely) tell them that I can't verify the report. But it  
makes me wonder, who are they cheating, except themselves? Why is  
that piece of paper so important to them in the first place?
There are no prizes, awards, hell, we don't even have an "honor roll"  
like amateur DX'ers.

If folks don't think that the NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator  
cards are "valid" then don't send in reception reports. No harm, no  
foul. The club(s) have both decided that we're going to offer the  
service to stations...if they accept then both the station and the  
clubs consider these verifications as "official".

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator





On Apr 12, 2007, at 2:21 PM, David Faulkner wrote:

> WJLB 1400, Detroit, used to have George Bryson signing its QSL's.   
> George
> was a slightly crazy 17-year old IRCA member whose "handle" was "J- 
> Evil."  I
> knew IRCA'ans at the time who said they would never consider a QSL  
> signed by
> him worth anything.
>
> 73s
> David
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:irca-bounces@hard-core- 
> dx.com]
> On Behalf Of Paul B. Walker, Jr.
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:58 PM
> To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] To Les-- (Semi-Monthly QSL Rant)
>
> I think the DX'ers not be valid or hold less water when issued by the
> IRCA/NRC rather then ther station need to get a life.
>
> A QSL card is a QSL card. I'd rather have one, then none at all.
>
> The QSL Manager (if I did a DX test) would be given my program log  
> including
> times/items played so he could accurately verify reception.
>
> If DX'ers are looking to PISS OFF Station Managers like myself and  
> Chief
> Engineers who stay up till 2AM in the morning to graciously do  
> something we
> are IN NO WAY REQUIRED OR REIMBURSED for.. claiming QSL's issued by  
> the club
> aren't as valid, or evebn valid i nthe first place is a sure fire  
> way to do
> it.
>
> If it would make all you whiners and complainers feel better, I'll  
> hire Les
> for $1 and make him an official station employee of WABV Raido, so  
> the QSL
> is therefore valid! WOULD THAT BE OK WITH YOU?
>
> If some of you don't like the way things are handled, GO FIND ANOTHER
> HOBBY!!
>
> Paul Walker
> WABV-Am 1590
> Abbeville, SC
> www.wabv1590.com
> www.walkerbroadcasting.com
> www.myspace.com/walkerbroadcasting
>
>
> On 4/11/07, Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> First of all, a big "Thank you" to both Willis and Patrick for their
>> kind offer
>> to take over the QSL chores. It is much appreciated, but I'll have to
>> decline (at least
>> for now)
>>
>> To Patrick Griffith, please do send that cassette tape to me. It  
>> is no
>> trouble at all to review it and verify your reception. I ask only two
>> things, that you "cue" the tape to just before the best reception
>> and that you include an SASE for the QSL Card. For that matter,
>> please send recordings for any tests that we've conducted that you  
>> need
>> verified. It's not a burden at all...if folks follow the  
>> instructions.
>>
>> And now to clarify the whole issue a bit:
>>
>> 1. The reason that I won't pass the QSL torch just yet is the need to
>> build confidence in these types of QSL's. Michael Procop (and quite a
>> few others) have expressed that they do not consider QSL cards issued
>> by the NRC/IRCA to be valid (or as valid) as one issued
>> from the stations directly.
>>
>> For the record, I won't accept any report and in fact, have rejected
>> several that were incomplete, lacking in detail or obviously just
>> false. I listen carefully to each recording and when there is doubt,
>> I've set up a system of "checks and balances" where my decision can
>> be reviewed by volunteer Brandon Jordan.
>>
>> By doing so, I hope to make these QSL's seen as "valid" by those who
>> collect verifications. In order to build that trust, I feel I need to
>> maintain the quality control for now.
>>
>> 2. I do plan to make the rules simple and standard from now on. Those
>> who don't follow them will get a simple "Sorry, no QSL until you send
>> in the report as requested". But I don't want to discourage anyone
>> from submitting a report. Reading Patrick Griffith's e-mail really
>> made me feel bad...and I apologize if my complaints have discouraged
>> anyone from reporting.
>>
>> If I can read it, or hear it and verify it, I will. As a fellow DX'er
>> I don't mind the extra effort, but
>> I do think it's unreasonable to ask a station or engineer to make any
>> effort at all to verify. YOU WANT THE CARD, YOU DO THE WORK. That
>> seems simple enough to me.
>>
>> If the station wants it via e-mail---you better find a way to send an
>> e-mail. If they want it sent via smoke signals, I suggest you learn
>> to build a fire. Simple. By simply signing and returning the card,
>> they're doing you a favor. Don't ever forget that.
>>
>> 3. In terms of the rules for test verifications, they're going to be
>> simple.
>>
>> A. E-mail is first choice with an MP3 recording of the test attached.
>> B. Other file attachments such as .wav, .ra, or .aiff are acceptable.
>> C. E-mails with log details and no recordings are acceptable.
>> D. Postal reports are fine. If you include a recording, we'd prefer
>> to receive a CD, or cassette
>> tape that is cued just before the time of best reception.
>> E. An SASE must be included to receive the card. Donations, dollar
>> bills, stamps, etc. are not acceptable. An SASE is a must.
>>
>> My parents raised me to be respectful of other people. And these
>> rules are a simple way of insuring that whoever is doing the
>> verification can do it quickly, accurate, and with a minimum of
>> effort. That is showing respect for that person's efforts to provide
>> something that you want.
>> It's common horse sense too.
>>
>> =====================================
>> 73,
>>
>> Les Rayburn, N1LF
>> NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 11, 2007, at 2:21 AM, Patrick Griffith, N0NNK / WPE9HVW wrote:
>>
>>> Willis said: I would accept any report, even written in crayon, as
>>> long
>>> as it was correct. I can now send out the QSL's in the snail mail or
>>> e-mail.
>>> //////
>>> Willis and all;  I have sadly missed out on several recent test QSLs
>>> because the only format I have available for recording is cassette
>>> tape.
>>> After previously discussing this with Les, I have avoided sending
>>> him my
>>> cassette recordings because I understand what a burden it is for  
>>> him.
>>> Believe me, as a MW QSL hound for almost 40 years, this self  
>>> restraint
>>> has been difficult for me. But as the QSL manager for a number of
>>> stations over the years, and the coordinator of several previous
>>> tests,
>>> I fully understand what a burden this is for Les. As an example, I
>>> presently have a great recording of the recent UT test that I
>>> reluctantly did not submit for a QSL. I'm not complaining and I  
>>> don't
>>> want to steal anyone's thunder. But let it be known that I too
>>> would be
>>> willing to volunteer my help if needed.
>>>
>>> Patrick Griffith, Westminster CO
>>> Broadcast Technician
>>> NRC Broadcasting - Denver
>>> http://community.webtv.net/N0NNK/
>>> http://community.webtv.net/AM-DXer/
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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>
>
> -- 
> Paul B. Walker, Jr.
> www.walkerbroadcasting.com
> walkerbroadcasting@xxxxxxxxx
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