Category - Blog

Missing / Busted Call Requests on Bespoke OQRS

13 September 2021

Over the last week we have seen how Bespoke OQRS prepares your envelope to maximize the safe transit of your QSL, and seen how Bespoke OQRS manages your LoTW uploads in many different scenarios for ALL call signs managed on the system. 

For a QSL manager one of the biggest jobs to deal with especially during a major DX’pedition is handling the “Missing / Busted call inquiries” in the past this has meant trawling through hundreds or on occasions thousands of emails in the course of the DX’pedition. Here at UR QSL Bureau we no longer accept any emails about logs, it is all done on the Bespoke OQRS Log search page.

HOW and WHEN to use NIL? Button

  • The first thing you MUST always do when you search for your call sign, is to check the “Last QSO date and time” this is very clear in red text on the log search page.
  • IF the log search is older than your QSO you must WAIT for the next log update.
  • But if the missing QSO is older than the last upload, I would recommend to work again to have a good QSO in the log.
    If the expedition is over and expected QSO is not found there is a button on log search called. “NOT IN LOG?”
  • Here you will find the “Log Check Request Form” You can either upload an ADIF with the missing QSO data which is automatically sent to the queue or you can fill in the form and also add up to 200 characters for “pertinent information” 
  • Your inquiry will be sent to my work queue where your inquiry is interactively connected to the logs where i can easily check for log data issues.
  • Work again on the same Band/Mode or wait for sending the log check request after the end of DXpedition. The NIL? Button is not available until the OQRS is enabled, usually at the end of operation.
Always remember to be polite, do not be aggressive, missing or busted calls are all part of DX, there are many reasons why this happens.
Emails will not be accepted as you will be sent back to OQRS. This is the best way to deal with inquiries. Our team working through the queue may be anywhere in the world. With your inquiry on Bespoke OQRS we will handle it as soon as we can. 
DX’peditions usually recommend that if you are NIL try again for a good QSO, but only call if YOU can hear the DX!

What is “Express LoTW?” on Bespoke OQRS

10 September 2021
In the last blog entry we have seen how Bespoke OQRS design has optimized the QSL envelope to ensure a high percentage of delivery around the world. Now let’s look at another feature of Bespoke OQRS that is very important to both DXpeditions and DX’ers using OQRS.
Express LoTW feature on Bespoke OQRS 
What is Express LoTW? It is a feature that has several configurations set for the type of DX activity.
The configuration of the “Express LoTW” will be taken from the QSL Policy of the DX Team. The QSL manager will then implement the policy through the OQRS Configuration tool on Bespoke OQRS.
  • Log updates to Bespoke OQRS for most call signs will be configured to queue ALL LoTW for immediate upload. 
  • Some major DX’peditions have Pre-Donor Sponsors. An Excel file from the team will be uploaded to Bespoke OQRS prior or during the DXpedition. ALL QSOs for those Pre-Donors call signs will be uploaded to LoTW as each daily log is uploaded. Any QSL requirements of the donors will also be populated at this stage without any work needed to be done by the QSL manager saving a lot of manual labour. 
  • Also for the major DX’peditions, once an OQRS Direct QSL Request has been initiated, the “Express LoTW” feature will automatically queue the LoTW for uploading to LoTW. 
  • There are many DX’ers out there that do not want the QSL, but DO want the LoTW upload and wish to donate to the DXpetition. So some DXpeditions may choose to utilise the “Express LoTW” as an alternative / addition to the QSL request. This can be configured if required. 
The one question i get asked the most is “When will I be uploading to LoTW?” 
The answer is “I” won’t be! Bespoke OQRS uploads to LoTW. Check the QSL Policy of the DX call sign and you will see when the LoTW will be uploaded.

Maximize your QSL return

7 September 2021
Postal systems will always have a few letters that get lost for many reasons, incorrect address, badly written addresses, incorrect format, machines damaging letters, incorrect delivery, although mail theft now is so low that it hasn’t even figured in my losses for many years.
Working with the Royal Mail gave me an insight to why mail goes missing, I realized that there are many ways that we can minimize losses of QSL mailings dramatically by understanding how it all works. 

Letters are no longer hand sorted, well very few are anyway. Letters are machine read and machine sorted. So it is critical that you follow these guidelines. So, let’s be clear!

We have designed our Bespoke OQRS with all this in mind to get the QSL to YOU safely. Learning from mail that has been returned especially from the USA where the sorting machines are often not able to sort mail that is not formatted correctly.
As automation increases globally to ever faster and better AI, the more formatting will change in time.

  • Envelopes should always have the recipients address in the lower left of the envelope.
  • Addresses should be printed (not handwritten) using Arial 12 point as the preference.
  • Return address in small print on top left of envelope.
  • Left align the text (no centered or ‘stepped’ lines).
  • Stamp or mailing imprint top right of envelope. 
  • Always use the full address including the full digits of Zip Code and your country name. 
  • Addresses should be written in the format that the machines recognize. There is a very good help page on Royal Mail website for this purpose.  These formats take into consideration how mail is machine read in the destination country.
  • Use standard C6 envelopes 80 – 100 gsm. No other size or shape.
  • Avoid copying PayPal addresses which are often in local language and type that can’t be read by sorting machines.
  • Every postal authority will have its recommendations such as here at USPS. My specific instructions above are for the sending of QSL cards in envelopes from wherever you are posting from in the World. 
Here at the United Radio QSL Bureau we have very few letters that go missing due to our work in QSL management over the years. If for whatever reason your letter from us does not arrive let us know as soon as possible. But please be polite!

Bonaire Amateur Radio Club formed PJ4BAR

27 August 2021

As of 2021, there are 9 radio amateurs who actually live permanently on the island and who are also active.

Apart from that at least six PJ4-callsigns were issued to amateurs who live outside Bonaire, but who have an address on the island, so the group have decided to start their own radio club — Bonaire Amateur Radio Club (BAR: club callsign is PJ4BAR).

The club meets weekly at the Tera Cora Ranch from 18:00 hours until late at night. To celebrate this, BAR has organized a field day on the seafront at Sorobon Beach between August 27-29th.
BAR currently has a Web page under construction at: http://www.pj4bar.club
QSL PJ4BAR via M0URX.

Re-posted

12 August 2021

Two Bureau packages have been re-posted to Turkey and Belarus after they were returned from their respective Customs for no “Pre-Advice Electronic Data” The IARU are reluctant to provide the data we need to send Bureau parcels because the IARU believe that this data contravenes GDPR regulations.

Since posting these again the Turkey QSL Bureau was again returned by customs. Sorry TA hams… This is a problem that only IARU can sort out. 

There are many countries now that do not allow any import of packages that do not have Pre advice Electronic Data. The Universal Postal Union made it compulsory for ALL International parcels to provide the following data, the recipient’s name, telephone number and email address must be supplied electronically.

However, when reading the regulations, it is clear that “Personal Communications” (QSL Cards) are exempt from the regulations. It is though for the customs of the recipient country to determine if they allow the parcel to be forwarded to the recipient, returned or destroyed. Sending Bureau cards is a lot more complicated these days. 

3Y0J Bouvet 2022

11 August 2021
Press Release #4 from 3Y0J team
3Y0J DXpedition to Bouvet Island, November 2022
The 3Y0J team are delighted to inform about our continued effort to activate Bouvet island. After cancellation of the previous attempt due to the ill-fated sale of the vessel Braveheart we decided to continue the effort and search for a suitable and affordable vessel.

Today we announce that we have signed a contract with an expedition vessel with a proven track record and experienced polar crew that will take us to Bouvet in November 2022. The vessel is MARAMA and is fully booked for the 2021/2022 season. The cost is significantly reduced compared to our previous Braveheart charter. With the signing of the vessel contract we will start fundraising immediately. On this journey to Bouvet we have assembled a team of 12 operators and we plan to spend 20 days around Bouvet. The QTH at Bouvetøya will be Cape Fie at the South East part of the island, the only feasible part where a DXpedition can safely setup the camp on rocky ground, we will not set camp on the glacier. We will have a wide area of 150 x 800 ft to setup the camp and the antenna farm.

Back in April 2020 we started our effort to activate Bouvetoya – a Norwegian DXCC in South Atlantic Ocean and also known as the world’s most remote island. In close co-operation with NPI we received the needed permits in September 2020 to activate Bouvetoya, which also included a helicopter permit. We also together with NPI researched and was provided photos that showed a beach landing was possible. In November 2020 we were approached by Intrepid and we joined our efforts. After the sale of Braveheart in June we informed Intrepid that we would continue our effort to activate Bouvetoya and search for a suitable and affordable vessel. Last week we were ready to launch the vessel news to the team members. As we sent out this information it was leaked to Intrepid group which caused Intrepid in a hurry to send out a press release the following day that they would go to Bouvet. The act of the team member came as a big surprise to us, the same did the announcement from Intrepid as they were informed we would continue the project.

As of today we still hold the only valid amateur radio team license specifically issued for the purpose of activating Bouvet (3Y0J). With the NPI permits, the license, the signed vessel contract and a new expedition vessel we’re ready to move forward. The team of 12 operators will fund much of the budget but we also need the global DX Community to support our mission and help us make this important activation of the #2 most wanted DXCC entity. It is only through this kind of support that we can achieve our mission of making 120,000 contacts or more from Bouvet in November 2022. Without support there will be no activation.

In closing, we especially wish to thank our many Foundations, Clubs and Individual donors. Without this kind of support, operations to the world’s rarest entities would not be possible.
You can soon follow our plans from our website 3Y0J.NO (please note change of website to .no ) and the 3Y0J Facebook group.
Thank you,
Ken Opskar LA7GIA, Co-Leader
Rune Oye LA7THA, Co-Leader
Erwann Merrien LB1QI, Co-Leader

August Update

9 August 2021

K800 QSL-ZB2TTRobert ZB2TT reports that he is back in Gibraltar and has updated me with a missing 6m log from May. This is now on OQRS and LoTW. Monday’s are always a big day for log uploads here and just this morning i have updated log files for 5B4AHL, PJ4DX, PJ4EL, PJ4EVA, PJ4NX, VK100AF & VK8NSB.
We are now in the last few weeks activity for VK100AF which has produced over 20,000 Qs with almost 50 operators from around Australia from all States and Territories. Double QSL is available on OQRS.

5Z4VJ Andy, has updated me with a couple of logs from July, uploaded to OQRS this morning. Andy is in the UK for a couple of weeks and returns to Kenya later in August.

I have received many emails in recent weeks with inquiries and requesting help, I cannot stress this enough, if you email me, please introduce yourself and use the words please and thank you. I can assure you that it will help your inquiry get a satisfactory solution. Otherwise my delete key gets used. If you have a “Missing / Not in log” Inquiry then in the first instance… CHECK the “Last QSO in Log” on the OQRS log search. If the log is up to date then use the “NOT IN LOG” form. Emails should NOT be sent for this. Please use the form. Your inquiry will be sent to my work queue.
If you are not able to use OQRS and want to send your QSL by post then please always check the QSL Policy for that call sign either on my website or QRZ.com. Insufficient funds will be sent Via Bureau and that includes UK hams too!

Our team continues every month to work to improve and introduce new tools and functions on OQRS for everyone, DX’ers, DXpeditions, Team leaders, satellite operations and QSL Manager functionality. So thank you to our OQRS software guys!

Bureau QSL’s The Future.

15 July 2021

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has affected us all in one way or another, no matter what country we are from whether it is losing loved ones, losing our jobs, being furloughed, or just having to pay more and wait longer for items we buy for everyday use.

Here at the United Radio QSL Bureau the same is true for us, the DX’peditons that had to be cancelled, the one-man holiday DX’peditions, all cancelled, it has been very challenging times. Looking long term, it could be years before the world gets back on track as far as tourism and travel is concerned. I want to make sure that the service that i provide both to DX’ers and to DX’pedtion teams will be here for a long time to come and be able to provide a world class service to all wherever you are.

The most difficult decision I have faced in going forward is how we deal with Bureau QSL requests. Many people who do not understand how the Bureau system works believe the myth that the Bureau is free, and should be free for all forever and ever.

Let me give you some facts: QSL cards have to be printed $30 per thousand, so, 25,000 is $875.
Shipping costs for the last dispatch was $969.

The effects of the pandemic for us, meant that the amount of air freight available to move all the goods around the world just vanished, gone, whole fleets of aircraft sent to the desert for storage and/or possible retirement. Have you considered what this has done to air freight costs? To some destinations I am seeing up to a 300% increase on shipping costs for goods. This means that continuing our Bureau will need to change to better reflect the reality of today. That romantic notion “The Bureau should be free” firmly belongs in days gone by.

I am working with all those that I am QSL manager for and working with those DX’ers to make sure that the policy we choose is right for a good future for the Bureau system.

The first step is to understand that LoTW is the new Bureau QSL. It is free to upload, and for all non DXpedition call signs that I manage all LoTW uploads are done immediately the logs arrive in our Bespoke Online QSL Request System (OQRS). I get so many emails asking when the LoTW will be uploaded? All you need to do is read my QSL policy on my website and you will see that it is automatic or according to the DX’pedition QSL Policy. Some  DX’peditions may also use our “Express LoTW” service.

LoTW for DX’peditions will be determined by the DX’pedition’s QSL Policy. I work with each DX’pedition Team to establish what is right for them. It could be 6 months for non-rare locations or 12 months, or it could be uploaded immediately which our Bespoke OQRS can easily handle.

So, now that you know that the LoTW upload is the new Bureau QSL where does that leave the Bureau QSL?

  • We need you to stop sending or requesting the Bureau QSL where you simply believe that it is “The Final courtesy” It isn’t… LoTW has replaced that.
  • If the Bureau QSL is going to be binned upon arrival at either end of the exchange. STOP. Do not do this anymore. This is mainly targeted at the DL and JA hams, but not entirely, as most Europeans can learn so much from this.
  • As some of you have noticed we have now levied a Bureau QSL charge of $0.30c on OQRS Bureau requests.
    DXpeditions determine their QSL Policy: The QSL Manager implements the team’s policy.
    This was something that I looked at very seriously this year and discussed solutions with many of our teams.

The best way you can support our Bureau is to add a small donation to the request if you are able to. Request Direct route if you can, as this will provide greater support for the Bespoke OQRS and our QSL Bureau for the future.

Bureau Mailing July 2021

5 July 2021
QSL cards have been posted to 103 World Bureaus – Monday 5th July 2021
This mailing is a joint mailing between M0OXO Charles & M0URX Tim. (Thanks Chris G1VDP, also thanks K3ZO Fred)
I would very much appreciate feedback from you when the QSL cards start arriving at World Bureaus or received by hams around the world? 

This mailing had been delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions. The cost of air freight for this mailing is considerably higher due to the lack of air freight capacity at this time. We have had to find new ways to reduce shipping rates and this remains a fluid and an ongoing issue.

The parcels are sent by Priority Business Mail to get to the Bureaus quickly.
Total amount of QSL cards dispatched: 23,804
Via M0URX 9,139,  Via M0OXO 14,050, Via MD0CCE 615, 
Total Weight: 88.328 kgs
Total Shipping Cost: £645.93 – £7.31 per kg. (gross weight includes packaging)

Average postage cost 2.71p per QSL card. Dispatch listed below in grams to each destination.

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Bespoke OQRS Introduces Satellite Features

20 June 2021

A big week as far as i am concerned for Bespoke OQRS as we upgrade to Version 5.6.0. The main reason for this update was to introduce the capability for Satellite operation for the first time. I would certainly like to hear from you if you are planning a Satellite DXpediton? Bespoke OQRS is here for Satellite DXpeditions! …. Make us your first choice!

v5.6.0. (2021.06.07.)
1.    All the 150 operating modes added in a new table and can be used in the QSO Edit function (modified files)
2.    SAT mode added to upload properly, Edit QSO, Add New QSO, print on the labels the SAT Name, BAND_RX and PROP_MODE=SAT, and also export these fields to adif.
(modified files)
3.    The 3 cm band added and shown properly in log search result, in every lists, tables, labels, exported adif files and emails are sent by OQRS. These changes are very complex and affect most of the files and functions. (modified files:)