eQSL or LOTW or Paper QSL's

[SigIntel8600]

What are your likes and dislikes?

I use eQSL and I think it is fast and easy for QSLing. I have not tried LOTW yet because it is affiliated with ARRL (Yuck).

I have used the bureau but life is to short.........

For me, paper QSLing is a PITA. Maybe I'll just stick with eQSL.

 

[WouffHong]

QSL's..

What are your likes and dislikes?

I use eQSL and I think it is fast and easy for QSLing. I have not tried LOTW yet because it is affiliated with ARRL (Yuck).

I have used the bureau but life is to short.........

For me, paper QSLing is a PITA. Maybe I'll just stick with eQSL.

I have great paper QSL's from my novice days in the early 50's through the 90's when QSL'ing seemed to fade.

Since 2005 or so, I have been using EQSL and send not only the default eqsl version, but usually an e-mail attached custom version, and getting good responses, including paper ones. E-Mails addresses are easy to get on net and useful when the recipient is not using Eqsl.

Sample attached

Tom
w4nov

 

[joe_disco_electronics]

Paper QSL cards for me. They're easier to hang on the wall and you also have the knowledge that someone 10,000 miles away handled and wrote on the card.

 

[ki4rvh]

I used to mail off lots of Paper QSLs and have gotten some real nice ones. I got a paper QSL the other day from a QSO I made in Jan of 08. I haven't got any (probably because I haven't sent any) in a long time so it was neat to get one. I like eqsl because its quick and easy and I get a lot of responses with it. I still load to logbook here and there but don't get near the response from other countries that I get through eqsl. I sent 50 cards to the bureau 2 years ago along with envelope/postage. I still haven't gotten anything from them. Maybe one day they will show up and surprise me!

 

[burner50]

I like Paper QSL Cards, but I signed up for eQSL... I'm not particularly fond of it. I like the old style better.

 

[SigIntel8600]

I used to mail off lots of Paper QSLs and have gotten some real nice ones. I got a paper QSL the other day from a QSO I made in Jan of 08. I haven't got any (probably because I haven't sent any) in a long time so it was neat to get one. I like eqsl because its quick and easy and I get a lot of responses with it. I still load to logbook here and there but don't get near the response from other countries that I get through eqsl. I sent 50 cards to the bureau 2 years ago along with envelope/postage. I still haven't gotten anything from them. Maybe one day they will show up and surprise me!

Don't hold your breath.......I got a QSL from an OH1 (Finland) via the bureau this week.
the QSO was in 2002.

 

[SigIntel8600]

I have great paper QSL's from my novice days in the early 50's through the 90's when QSL'ing seemed to fade.

Since 2005 or so, I have been using EQSL and send not only the default eqsl version, but usually an e-mail attached custom version, and getting good responses, including paper ones. E-Mails addresses are easy to get on net and useful when the recipient is not using Eqsl.

Sample attached

Tom
w4nov

Tom,

That is one nice card. I use the one with the yellow background (LOL).

 

[elk2370bruce]

e-qsl is a good asset and I use this service continually. Maybe I'm old fashiond but I still like a nice card to hang on the wall of the shack- especially from a great QSO or a new country. I do not use the bureau because it is,as we all know, slower than Moby Dick's bowel movement in Arctic waters. More often if I want a card, I just qsl direct. If you want the card, then its not a PITA. Many of the true DX stations must get hundreds of qsl requests monthly - yet I've never had a problem in getting a kind response and a kind word from them when I QSL or when I speak with them in another contact.. Your choice and your own priority. If its to much trouble (PITA), then it ain't important to you.

 

[James04TJ]

While I do upload to eQSL and LOTW (automated with DXKeeper), I still paper QSL for the QSO's that I care about. Very few active DX stations that I get use either LOTW or eQSL. Also keep in mind that, other than LOTW, electronic QSLs can not be used for DXCC or WAS.

 

[kb2vxa]

Since I only QSLed DX I much prefer the old post card method and try to avoid the burro (yeah, I spelled it right) being slower than molasses going uphill in January. Mine being the printable version I would mail one direct whenever possible or if I had the recipient's e-mail address I'd send it electronically and let him spend the money on paper and ink. (;->) Here it is with my last address, no point in changing it being I'm presently inactive.

 

[DaveNF2G]

I use eQSL. I have about a half-dozen paper QSLs. I move a lot, so electronic "paperwork" is more convenient for me. For stations that specify "no eQSL" during a contact, I don't QSL. They are still in my log and, as most of my contacts are digital, saved on my hard drive. I'm not chasing any awards, so I really don't care.

 

[k8wha]

Well if you are going after an ARRL DX or WAS award, then LoTW is the electronic way to go, else they will only take paper.

73s
Dick K8WHA

 

[KR4BD]

CQ Magazine is now accepting EQSL for their awards and contests. I still like collecting the real cards, but in recent years, that has gotten very expensive. LOTW is a pain in the backside to use from what I have seen...and I've been an ARRL member since 1975!

 

[k8wha]

LoTW

Interesting news on CQ Magazine awards.

I agree LoWT has not been user freindly. I gave up on it after several unsuccessful attemps at uploading log info :-(

73's

Dick K8WHA

 

[elk2370bruce]

Interesting news on CQ Magazine awards.

I agree LoWT has not been user freindly. I gave up on it after several unsuccessful attemps at uploading log info :-(

73's

Dick K8WHA

Ditto. I gave up on LOTW a while ago.

 

[rhomeeyeball]

I only use paper - no e cards of any kind.
David

 

[georged4997]

i like paper qsls. after 2 years of eqsl and lotw, out of about 1,000 qsos. i have 127. i dropped eqsl
this year. i have received almost all of my paper qsls, i like to look through them on a rainy day.
i still have lotw. but i like paper qsls. some are very nice. alot of time went into some of the designs.

 

[nexus]

I think all of them have their prospective places.

I prefer a hard-copy original QSL card mailed to me. BUT, for award-sake, LoTW and eQSL are the most efficient and cost effective methods. I am working on my ARRL Triple Play WAS award, which is an LoTW only award. It makes it a whole lot easier to get that award when you don't have to wait for someone to take the time to write out a card, and then mail it, etc. and then you having to go to an award manager or mail your cards into the league for approval.

I am not very interested in eqsl, other than the fact that CQ honors them. Otherwise I would not have any use for them. But, and here's the but... I told this to someone else who had the opinion of not ever wanting to use online qsling.

If for no other reason, even if you absolutely could care less for an eqsl or lotw qsl, you should at least consider still signing up for the service, and submit your logs to each, because somewhere out there, a HAM worked you, and may very well NEED your state, or country, or grid, or county etc. confirmed via either eqsl or lotw. So by just submitting your logs you'll help out those fellow hams who DO WANT to use that method.

Like I said, I prefer the hard copy card, I like collecting them, but I also see the benefit in the online format for fast tracking my awards.

 

[rhomeeyeball]

I think all of them have their prospective places.
If for no other reason, even if you absolutely could care less for an eqsl or lotw qsl, you should at least consider still signing up for the service, and submit your logs to each, because somewhere out there, a HAM worked you, and may very well NEED your state, or country, or grid, or county etc. confirmed via either eqsl or lotw. So by just submitting your logs you'll help out those fellow hams who DO WANT to use that method.

Like I said, I prefer the hard copy card, I like collecting them, but I also see the benefit in the online format for fast tracking my awards.

[/QUOTE0

If I could help out another Ham with an e-card, I would sign up in a heartbeat. But, filling out multiple logs just in case that might happen.... I dunno.

You have a good looking card.
David

 

[k9rzz]

I only use paper - no e cards of any kind.
David

Same here. If you want it, you've got to earn it ... SASE and it's yours.