Category - Blog

Being a QSL manager brings with it a lot of responsibilities to both the DXpedition or DX station and to you the deserving. Since i started as a QSL manager in 2007, I have learned a lot about the expectations and requirements that I am required to provide, the global nature of QSL’ing is a 24/7 job in itself.

Some of the actions are just common sense but are alien to many, for example having a dedicated email address where people can ask questions and get a fast answer, most of the questions relate to busted calls or to lost letters and these have to be answered and resolved. Getting this basic job wrong will result in a bad reputation from the start.

No matter what method of QSL the deserving choose, they want that QSL to be received as quickly as possible. Finding ways to reduce that delivery time has meant that I can do that, whether it is OQRS, direct letters or bureau requesting, I have set in place actions and methods to get those requests completed and out the door quickly. Thank you to all those emails commenting on the speed of deliveries, this is very important to me and can highlight where things are going right and when and where things are going wrong.

When problems arise then I will highlight these on my Blog so that you are aware of any issues. Posting dates of major DXpedition mailings are always detailed on the Blog, also and this is where you should first check if you are waiting for a QSL. If it does not arrive then email me, please do not wait six months, if the mailing has gone the letter should only take 7 working days at most.

It is important to remember that to provide this service to the deserving relies on excellent slick cooperation with the DX Team, they must be able to understand the complexities of the job and be able to work with me on regular accurate log updating, fast transfer of high resolution images for QSL designing and have a dedicated member of the team available to help me with any of the more unusual inquiries that may come in. The word “Team” is very important.

LoTW – Logbook of The World is one aspect of QSL’ing that is important to those of you that are working towards DXCC and Honour Roll status. There is NO excuse NOT to have logs uploaded to LoTW at the earliest opportunity and this is something that is very important to me.

I always keep in stock a large amount of materials such as QSL cards, envelopes, labels and ink cartridges so that at a minutes notice I can kick into action for that unexpected DXpedition.
Here in the United Kingdom we have many QSL managers that provide a high quality of service, although all independent we are all in touch with each other to help if required. If your DXpedition needs a QSL manager? I am proud to say here in the UK we can help you. We are ready to provide a professional QSL service to DXpedition and some IOTA teams.

Now, I know we all think that the Bureau is slow and that we are lucky if we get a QSL card after waiting a couple of years, but how about this?

On the 4th June 2013 I posted 14,966 Bureau QSL cards to about 70 World Bureaus directly. Since then I have had emails from Ukraine and Hungarian radio amateurs saying thanks for the Bureau cards that have already been delivered. But I have singled out the email below from SM4EPR Mats.

Hello Tim, I made OQRS June 3rd for 5B75FOC QSL. Today , June 24th , the QSL arrived through the bureau. That is kind of a record! See you further down the QSL log 73 from Mats SM4EPR

So I would like to especially thank all Sub Bureau managers, everyone that works as a volunteer at all the Bureaus! Job well done! Just 3 weeks from sending the packages I am most impressed!

A problem that is getting worse recently is the QSL cards arriving from Poland where the envelopes have been tampered with and the US$ stolen. The envelopes are then re-glued and processed through the mail system.

If you are from Poland and you want to request a QSL card from me, I strongly suggest that you do not mail US$. Please instead use my OQRS here: Thank you.