Stuart Underwood wrote:
Greetings,
I have a question about exchanging QSL cards. When the last time the ISS xband repeater was up I made seven contacts. I was very excited because this was the first time I was able to work satellites. Very anxious, I sent out seven QSL cards. Waiting to get some back. I received only one. My questions is, is there a protocol for sending and receiving QSL cards for satellite work? When I get better, I would like to try for VUCC... Thanks in advance. 73, Stuart W8STU EN91
Normal. I sent out over 500 cards for VHF+ contacts during June contest in 2006. My return rate was about 100, if that.
But, I will admit I put a letter in with them, and was more interested in letting folks know that I had a good time, I hoped they had a good time, and there was a line in there that stated clearly that I did NOT need a return QSL if they couldn't do it for any reason, but that they would be appreciated if they did.
Also, be patient. Many people (myself included) fall behind on QSL'ing and have to schedule a weekend day where NOTHING else gets done but QSLs... obviously these "catch up" sessions aren't much fun, so there's not much motivation to do them more than a couple of times a year. I have a (small, thank Goodness) stack of cards I still need to reply to.
During my next "QSL session" I think I've finally found some software I like for keeping my QSL and log information long-term... there's tons of options out there, but I decided to "just go" with one... so that day will probably be spent typing log information into that software... ad nauseaum.
That software should also post everything typed into it into LoTW and eQSL, for those that like those... neither of which is all that great for VHF+ Rovers, due to grid square changes, the decision whether to log as WY0X or WY0X/R, etc...
The *best* way to get a QSL back, is to beg for them, and include an SASE. That has the highest return rate these days. Ironically, most SASEs I send out, get returned... hams are usually willing to send QSLs, they're just too busy to do it. A note begging for a return QSL and an SASE is often just the "hint" needed to trigger someone like myself into one of those "QSL days" in the basement... and I send back people's SASEs so they can re-use them too.
Nate WY0X