Hello Wayne and the Group,

I believe that this message may have been sent before it was ready to be sent. My email server (JUNO) has a habit of sending things at a time when it should not do so. Therefore, I'll start over again and hope for the best.

I am an avid "paper" QSL card collector. In 2007 I sent nearly 2000 cards to the outgoing ARRL bureau. It's much too soon to calculate the results from last year but after 47+ years of sending cards I'd be quite pleased with a 50% return. Recently I contacted a fellow in Hungary with a plee for some help in getting that entity confirmed via satellite. I thought I was in great luck because he told me that he personally, could indeed, confirm one of my Hungarian QSOs. That being HA5MRC on AO-40. He did state that he had no HA5MRC paper QSLs and no way to get any. I got on the computer and made up and printed several paper HA5MRC cards that met his approval. I then sent those paper cards with an SAE and $2.00. That was late in 2007 but to date only a short reply telling me to be patient! This same fellow also gave me specific instructions about how to get a card from HA2RD whom I'd QSOed via AO-10. More wasted effort and dollars down the drain. My point??? Even when you follow directions and make double sure that you've done everything RIGHT, your efforts may go unrewarded!! I think that I have a minimum of $10.00 to $15.00 invested from my efforts to get an HA satellite confirmation. It would appear that I have to wait for P3E before I can find and work a station in Hungary who is willing to send QSLs.............

My 2 cents worth on QSL card exchanging.

73 Frank, KØBLT