Below are some basic tips for successful QSLing, in particular
when utilizing the services of a QSL Manager. These tips are some
excerpts of a presentation I have done for the Magnolia DX Association
and others. You can download a pdf of my entire presentation here.
The Basics
Successful QSLing starts with the QSO and good logging practices
Verify clocks regularly (including UTC/local offset in logging programs)
Log carefully/completely
Log promptly
Have your callsign printed on both sides of your QSL card
Don’t use unusual fonts, especially on the QSO data side
Avoid uncomplimentary color combinations
Print QSO data legibly
Suggest DD/MMM/YY (03-Apr-08) date format, include a legend
Use UTC time
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER send a card with QSO data in local time!!!!!
You would be SURPRISED just how many I receive like this every month
Use printed labels if possible
List multiple QSOs in chronological order
Neatness counts
Avoid smudges, test any ink pens or rubber stamps you may use
Don’t cross out mistakes, start over with a new card
A card with a cross out or bad smudge is not valid for award credit in most cases
Envelope Etiquette
Print recipient’s address clearly and accurately on envelope
If going outside US, print country in English at the bottom of the envelope
See references for USPS guidelines on international mail addressing
Use return envelopes with “peel and stick” seal flap
Leave small unsealed opening at each corner of envelope
Print your address CLEARLY on your return envelope
Print a return address on your return envelope
Either station sending to or your return address
Avoid folding your return envelope in the sending envelope
If you must fold, NEVER put the folded part facing the top
Consider “nested” envelopes from William Plum (see references)
DO NOT place your card inside of your return envelope
For US to US mailings
Place proper postage (in proper location) on your return envelope
Be wary of pending postage increases, include sufficient postage to cover (Forever Stamp)
Tips For Using a QSL Manager
Patience
A busy QSL manager can handle hundreds, if not thousands of direct requests per month
We often have to wait weeks to receive logs
Many times QSL cards have to be designed/ordered/printed
DO NOT send an email 2 weeks after sending your request
Always send at least an SASE to stateside managers
Simply sending a card will almost always result in no return or at best a return via the bureau if you are lucky
Follow basics/envelope tips on earlier slides
Most of them are designed to optimize manager efficiency
QSL Managers are not mind readers
Despite popular belief, special orders don’t upset us, but if you don’t tell us, we won’t know
Most
common example – K5XYZ works HC8N on RTTY/CW/SSB, sends one card for
each QSO and expects the manager to send him a separate card for each
mode, BUT, he doesn’t enclose a note requesting this. Result: K5XYZ
receives one card with all QSOs on one or more label(s)
When sending requests for multiple stations to one manager
Be prepared to wait until the manager has logs, cards, etc from ALL stations before receiving your cards… UNLESS
You provide separate SASEs for each call requested (and a note)
Do Not tape ANYTHING to anything else in your request
There are times for email
If you receive a card in error, most times the manager will resend without another SASE if our fault
If an extended time period (months) has elapsed since sending your request with no response, mail does get lost
Watch the “tone” of the email – it’s easy to inadvertently sound hostile or demanding
Donations
QSL
managers have expenses (cards, envelopes, labels, rubber stamps, bureau
expenses, etc), usually not covered by the DX station
In south Louisiana we would call this practice Lagniappe, “A little something extra” – Trust me, we DO appreciate it!!!