For a broadcast station that's on the air 24/7, or at least hours a day, requiring some kind of proof makes sense. But for a satellite contact, either you were, in fact, on the bird and they DID hear you, or you weren't. So if the card or request is for a date and time that I was on the satellite, I'd honor it as an SWL.
George, KA3HSW
----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg D." ko6th_greg@hotmail.com To: ka3hsw@att.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 1:48 AM Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: QSL Etiquette
But even for a 1-way acknowledgment, doesn't the receiving station need to demonstrate that they actually heard you? I seem to recall years ago that for broadcast stations you needed to supply a log of what was on the air (song list, discussion topics, etc.). Otherwise, you could get cards from every call in the book.
It may sound harsh, but if I get a card for someone not in my log, I keep it with a note as to my conclusion, but do not send a reply. Fortunately, I think it's only happened once or twice. Several times, however, I did find their call scribbled on my desk pad, but they weren't in the log because I didn't think we had a complete exchange. If their QSL info is correct, in those cases I give them the benefit of the doubt, and send a 2-way confirmation.
Greg KO6TH