DX University Introduction Hartford, Connecticut 17. July. 2014

QSLing and DXpedition Funding Wayne Mills, N7NG

Early QSLing: Direct-mail “post cards.”

Sometime later the IARU QSL Bureau System was begun. IARU National societies generally sponsor QSL bureaus. For ARRL details see: QSL bureau’s expenses are becoming prohibitive.

QSL bureaus are currently popular in Europe as the cost – incoming and outgoing – is often included in society membership. (Often more than twice ARRL membership)

Even later (50s) direct cards with SASE/SAE became popular. Direct requests offer the opportunity to make a donation. Direct QSLing is difficult now with IRCs not available in the US. “Green Stamps” are not acceptable in some countries.

Cash is generally inadvisable. US postage is (of course) not usable, but non-US postage is available.

Eventually, the QSL manager became common. QSL card(s) are sent to a local manager who has the DX station’s log. The log is checked and the DX cards are returned at local postage rates.

A variation on the QSL manager method is sending QSLs to off-shore managers who return cards via bulk shipments in order to use local postage rates for distribution.

QSLing became a source of income for DXpeditions. When US postage was less than one USD, “green stamps” were common and excess postage was a factor in DXpeditioning funding. This mechanism yielded a sizeable amount of funding.

QSLing became associated with expedition funding since QSLing is the only direct contact between DX and all DXers. Is DXpedition funding consistent with QSLing?

In the late 90s, with the increasing cost of postage, there was considerable pressure to develop electronic QSLing methods.

Logbook of the World - What is it? Logbook of the World – or LoTW – is a fully electronic QSLing and award management system. It is currently used only for selected ARRL awards and CQ’s WPX award.

Logs are submitted, and LoTW finds matching QSO records, yielding “QSLs.” It can apply the resulting credits to your award accounts. An advantage is simplicity and low cost. A disadvantage is that software must be written into the ARRL system in order to accommodate additional awards.

Another disadvantage is that early use of LoTW in the DXpedition QSLing cycle might deter contributions made via other means. LoTW does not facilitate contributions to DXpedition expenses. (In principle, it could…)

The OQRS alternative: What is it? OQRS is the Online QSL Request Service. DXpeditions don’t need QSL cards, only information. Using OQRS, DXers solicit a QSL online or via , there by cutting postage expenses.

DXers supply the necessary information online. Postage – and maybe more – are sent via PayPal. Cards are returned via conventional post. Required contributions can be controversial.

“QSL income” has been a significant source of funds for decades. Until recently…

The rapidly rising cost of major DXpeditions has limited the effectiveness of QSLing in raising funds for DXpeditions. This is partially due to a resistance to “charging” for QSLs.

DXpeditioners don’t want to be seen as selling QSLs, and they don’t want to be seen as coercing funds from DXers. Yet, if DXpeditions are to continue along the same lines as in the past additional fund raising mechanisms will be necessary. What is the best way to finance DXpeditions ?

What does the future hold? Electronic QSLing – via the internet – will be the norm. DXpedition fund raising will evolve as necessary to meet the demand.

A simple means to make e-contributions is/will be included with OQRS, LoTW and other QSL processes. The market place will determine how DXpeditions will be funded in the future. Paper QSLs are still desirable. They can tell a story. Perhaps some form of information – stories and other info will be included with electronic QSLs.

Questions?