Poll about return rate of DX QSLs
 

Hi,

In order to update an article about QSLing, I would like to know from active
DX chasers :
- after how many months or years you have got a return rate of your DX QSLs
of 10%, then 50%

- What is the maximum return rate you got and after how many times?

- What is the maximum return rate for domestic QSL (usa) or for countries
closer than 5000 km ?

If there are SWLs on this forum, I 'd like also that they tell me when did
they get a return rate of their QSLs of 10% and of 50% (if they reached it),
otherwise the maximum percentage of return and after how many years..

Some licensed speak of only 10% of return...!? I must be in disagreement as
based on my own experience and the one of some other addicts, we have got a
return rate of about 15% after 2 years and about 75% after 5 years, of
course QSLing via bureau (and most stn logged receive a QSL) and not using a
very convoited prefix or call sign.

NB. Note that currently LoTW does not exceed a confirmation rate of 10%, and
increasing.

Thanks in advance

Thierry, ON4SKY
http://www.astrosurf.org/lombry/menu-qsl.htm

I haven't kept very good records of QSLs sent, so don't have a good feel
for the return rate (I still have a pretty good-sized pile which I need to
send to the buro), but have noticed that more stations seem to be using
LOTW and I now have an 18% return rate there (779/4294), although I
haven't yet entered anything for QSOs prior to 2000. TI9M showed up on
LOTW just today.

73, Bob N7XY

"Thierry" - wrote in message ...
Hi,

In order to update an article about QSLing, I would like to know from
active
DX chasers :
- after how many months or years you have got a return rate of your DX
QSLs
of 10%, then 50%

- What is the maximum return rate you got and after how many times?

- What is the maximum return rate for domestic QSL (usa) or for countries
closer than 5000 km ?

If there are SWLs on this forum, I 'd like also that they tell me when did
they get a return rate of their QSLs of 10% and of 50% (if they reached
it),
otherwise the maximum percentage of return and after how many years..

Some licensed speak of only 10% of return...!? I must be in disagreement
as
based on my own experience and the one of some other addicts, we have got
a
return rate of about 15% after 2 years and about 75% after 5 years, of
course QSLing via bureau (and most stn logged receive a QSL) and not using
a
very convoited prefix or call sign.

NB. Note that currently LoTW does not exceed a confirmation rate of 10%,
and
increasing.

Thanks in advance

Thierry, ON4SKY
http://www.astrosurf.org/lombry/menu-qsl.htm



Overall about 50% but as you said the bureau ones take a long time so that
actually makes my return rate look lower than it is as the ones I sent via
bureau that I sent within the last year are mostly still outstanding.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"Thierry" - wrote in message ...
Hi,

In order to update an article about QSLing, I would like to know from
active
DX chasers :
- after how many months or years you have got a return rate of your DX
QSLs
of 10%, then 50%

- What is the maximum return rate you got and after how many times?

- What is the maximum return rate for domestic QSL (usa) or for countries
closer than 5000 km ?

If there are SWLs on this forum, I 'd like also that they tell me when did
they get a return rate of their QSLs of 10% and of 50% (if they reached
it),
otherwise the maximum percentage of return and after how many years..

Some licensed speak of only 10% of return...!? I must be in disagreement
as
based on my own experience and the one of some other addicts, we have got
a
return rate of about 15% after 2 years and about 75% after 5 years, of
course QSLing via bureau (and most stn logged receive a QSL) and not using
a
very convoited prefix or call sign.

NB. Note that currently LoTW does not exceed a confirmation rate of 10%,
and
increasing.

Thanks in advance

Thierry, ON4SKY
http://www.astrosurf.org/lombry/menu-qsl.htm

Hi Thierry,

I'll likely get a good natured verbal jab or two for this, but here it
goes.

I always send my DX QSLs out with a self-addressed airmail envelope and two
grren stamps. While I'm hardly a hard-core DXer, I feel safe in putting my
return rate at approx. 70%.

Hpe c u ota.

--
Vy 73 de Bert
WA2SI
FISTS #9384/CC #1736
QRP ARCI #11782

I guess that a 15% return rate for cards that I sent to bureaus is about
right. (Even so, I send a card for every DX contact.) Return rate for
cards sent via a service or direct is about 70%.

That said, I just received cards for an important contact made in 1982
after several letters and (eventually, as the years went by) E-mail
messages. Some contacts are difficult to get confirmed.

Compared to using the outgoing and incoming bureaus, the electronic QSL
services seem expensive.

73 Mac N8TT

--
J. Mc Laughlin; Michigan U.S.A.
Home:

Hi ! My overall rate is about 21 % (1032/4871). The DX QSLing is surely
higher, I usually send SAE and IRCs or GS, but can not give a figure, I
think about 75% (thanks also to your advices on your website !). There are
some DX stations that don't answer, or countries with poor post service, but
I think that DX QSLing is surely easyer than "normal" or obvious QSL. I have
now 225 countries, but I am still waiting for some QSL via bureau from
Belarus or Slovakia...
Anyway, I love paper QSL, yes I know that LOTW and eQSL may be cheaper and
easyer, but I love the touch of the paper, I also loove books and I don't
like electronic books, I have many books on CD but I prefer to touch the
paper HI !
So I will go on with paper QSLs !
73 from Rik IZ2EJU

Some approx. numbers:

Sent via Buro - 1121
Sent Direct - 1036
Received - 1148
Rate = 53%

This is for both DX and here in the U.S. Have managed to collect plenty of
awards at that rate. Only have three outstanding DX contacts that are not
confirmed at this time, out of 298 worked.

LoTW results at this point: 10026 sent, 912 received for 9%, about average
from what I see.

An observation - the worst return: 6 meter state side contacts. When
collecting grids for VUCC U.S. operators on 6 meters are bar none, the worst
to try and get a card from.

Sam - K7SAM

"Topaz305RK" wrote in message
...

Some approx. numbers:

Sent via Buro - 1121
Sent Direct - 1036
Received - 1148
Rate = 53%

This is for both DX and here in the U.S. Have managed to collect plenty of
awards at that rate. Only have three outstanding DX contacts that are not
confirmed at this time, out of 298 worked.

LoTW results at this point: 10026 sent, 912 received for 9%, about average
from what I see.

An observation - the worst return: 6 meter state side contacts. When
collecting grids for VUCC U.S. operators on 6 meters are bar none, the
worst to try and get a card from.

Sam - K7SAM

Yes the USA 6M band is the worst for return rate - worked 120 Grid
squares -- sent QSL's with SASE to all of them.
Received 65 back !!

For WAS 6M -- worked them all except Kentucky -- have only 46 confirmed even
though I sent the missing ones twice.

Oh well I know I worked them.

For DX over 28 years I have received QSL's for every DXCC enity worked - 326
+ 10 Deleted.
Overall DX QSL (non contest) return rate is in the high 90%
Contests QSL rates have improved -- but no great shakes -- maybe 60%
Best QSLers - Japan
Best USA QSL rate -- the Novice bands -- they were nearly 100% while
pursuing WAS-CW
For the phone bands WAS -- had to work many states several times to get
confirmation -- lousy return from the generals, advanced and extras.

--
CL -- I QSL, therfore I am

"iz2eju" wrote in message
...
Hi ! My overall rate is about 21 % (1032/4871). The DX QSLing is surely
higher, I usually send SAE and IRCs or GS, but can not give a figure, I
think about 75% (thanks also to your advices on your website !). There are
some DX stations that don't answer, or countries with poor post service,
but
I think that DX QSLing is surely easyer than "normal" or obvious QSL. I
have
now 225 countries, but I am still waiting for some QSL via bureau from
Belarus or Slovakia...
Anyway, I love paper QSL, yes I know that LOTW and eQSL may be cheaper and
easyer, but I love the touch of the paper, I also loove books and I don't
like electronic books, I have many books on CD but I prefer to touch the
paper HI !
So I will go on with paper QSLs !
73 from Rik IZ2EJU



OK OMs, many thanks for all your comments.
That will be useful.
My opinions are listed in this article
http://www.astrosurf.org/lombry/qsl-gs.htm
Your comments will be merged soon.

Thierry, ON4SKY