I get a lot of QSL cards, mostly via the bureau, and have not answered many. 
When I do respond, I write some braille on the card, like k7uc de w3iuu .
I admit that a lot of cards that said "PSE QSL" have gone unanswered. I need 
to finish my LOTW (logbook of the world) setup, because I have never applied 
for DXCC or even WAS or WAC.
73,


Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Kensington, MD
http://lras.home.sprynet.com
-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom Behler
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2015 5:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Return QSL Card Obligations

Ashley:

The only dum or silly question is the question that goes unasked.  So,
please don't hesitate to ask when you do have questions, since this is what
the list is for.

A qsl card is exchanged as a way of officially confirming a contact between
two stations.

Let's say, for example, that you wanted to document the fact that you worked
all 50 states from your station, which would qualify you for a Worked All
States certificate from the ARRL.  Then, you would need to have a qsl card
from each state to show that you have done this.

Up until recently, this was done through the exchange of printed qsl cards,
that look much like a normal post card that you would send through the
regular postal mail or through something called the ARRL's QSL bureau.

In recent years, due to the cost of cards, and associated postage,
increasing numbers of hams have migrated over to some form of electric q s l
ing.

This is where programs like Log Book Of The World (OR LOTW) come into play.
LOTW is the officially recognized QSL documentation system used by the ARRL.

I'll keep it short here, but this should give you at least somewhat of an
idea regarding the meaning of these various terms.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Ashley Bernard
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2015 2:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Return QSL Card Obligations

Apologies in advance for the silly question, I could probably go look it =
up but, since it=E2=80=99s being discussed, what is/why/when does one =
receive a =E2=80=9CQSL card? and what is =E2=80=9CLOTW?
I got my license in october and definitely have a lot to learn. =
Unfortunately I haven=E2=80=99t been on air since moving, but if life = goes
according to plan I hope to fix that by next week.
Anyway 73.
KC1CPS
> On Jun 15, 2015, at 12:41 PM, Tom Behler <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>=20
> Hello, everyone.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> I realize that I'm bringing up a topic here on which there will be =
many
> differing opinions, but it is becoming an increasing problem for me, =
and I
> suspect I'm not alone.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> The problem is with printed QSL cards, and the extent one should feel
>obligated to reciprocate with a return QSL.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Back in the day, I was actually pretty good at return QSLing, although
>=
I'm
> sure some of the cards I received slipped through the cracks.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Even today, I'm good at return QSLing for cards that I receive for =
which I'm
> directly asked to return qsl.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> However, in recent years, I have gotten many qsl cards (including =
quite a
> few from the buro) on which there is no indication that a return qsl =
is
> needed.  Of course, the polite thing to do would be to send return =
qsls, and
> I even have a QSL template in Microsoft Word format that I can use.  =
But
> that requires sighted assistance for printing and such that is just =
not as
> available to me as used to be the case.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> One of these days, I intend to get fully up and running on LOTW, and =
my hope
> is that electronic QSLing will solve some of this issue, but for now,
> =
I'm
> not exactly sure when that will happen, due to the many other projects
> =
I
> have on my plate which must take precedence.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> To be honest, I'm feeling somewhat guilty about not return QSLing for
>=
the
> many cards I have now received, which is why I'm writing this e-mail.
> =
I
> just wonder what others have done over the years.
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> ---
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