John,

Congrats on the DX.  Enjoy these first contacts.  You will remember them a
long time.

IRC stands for "international Reply Coupon".  You buy them at the Post
Office and send them along with your QSL to the DX station.  He cashes it in
for postage at his end.  Not sure what today's price is, but I know that on
May 14, when the new postage rates take effect, IRC's will cost $2.00
each!!!


Some DX stations will ask for a "green stamp" (dollar bill) or two for
postage.    Sad to say, but some DX ops use the IRC / green stamp thing as a
money making operation.

73, Steve KW3A