Home > DX'ing > QSL Managers
QSL Managers
Perhaps one of the best ways to get a QSL card is when the station has a
manager, especially if it is a stateside manager. For a stateside manager all it
takes is one stamp to get it there and one to get it back. You can also include
a donation if you care to, that's a personal choice. I usually add a couple
bucks for cards from DX'peditions to help on the cost a little. It takes money
to move the people and materials to those locations, especially the really
isolated ones. I'm sure they appreciate the support.
Many of the semi-rare and nearly all of the rare stations will use a QSL
manager. One reason is probably they don't want to have to do the QSL'ing
themselves. It can be a lot of work and a lot of headache. Another reason may be
that they are in an area where mail delivery isn't very dependable and they
don't want to be blamed for taking the money and not providing a card. And some
of them probably just plain don't like filling out a lot of QSL cards. What ever
the reason managers are usually a good sign that the card will be easy to get.
When you work a DX station that has a pileup calling him it is almost a sure
bet that he will give out the QSL information. If he says direct you send
direct. If he gives out a manager then you want to send to that manager. There
are several places you can find out who is the manager for a station if you
don't hear him give out the information. I will list some of these sources after
I get the web site up and operating. I hope to have a database of managers on
this web site if I can get things to work right.
If you have sent a card out to a manager don't expect the return card to be
in the mail next week. It may happen, but often it takes a little longer than
that. Especially if the operator is doing his own QSL duties. Some of my cards
to managers have taken up to six months to come back. Don't send multiple cards
out a week or even a month apart. This only adds more work for the manager
keeping up with all of your cards for the same QSO. Don't write nasty notes to
the manager. That may put you in the back of the line just when the manager had
worked up to your card.
When you fill out the information on your card make sure it is readable. Use
your best hand writing or let the computer print the information if you use
computer logging. If the manager can't read your card how can he find you in the
log? Make sure all of the information is correct and in the correct place. Most
cards have printed on them headings for Day, Month, and Year. Some have the day
first and some have the month first. Make sure you put the right numbers in the
right holes. Always use UTC time so no one has to convert the time on your card
to the UTC time that they used in their log. Do everything you can to make it
easy for the manager to find you in the station log and you have a better chance
of getting the needed card back.