Delivers, the art of QSO’ing is nothing but the art of conversation. As in any social interaction, there are people you will hit it off with immediately-- and of course there are those that will send you off to the bar for an adult beverage,--- if catch my meaning....
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As a radio ham, you have an instant starting point from which to begin. Hams love to talk radio, and this is that universal starting point. Personally, I very, very rarely talk radio on the air. I find there are a myriad of other things to talk about…so I ask questions- nothing starts a QSO better than giving your contact something to talk about-- something like “where are you?… what do you do for a living?.. I have never been that towne, have you lived there long?… etc. etc.” Simplistic, but you get my gist.
This will start conversations that you will remember, and be remember’d for, for years, cementing radio friendships that span the world. Be yourself; ask questions; show an interest in the other guy/gal - courtesy, politeness, patience- and talk normally; its all to easy to think that we have to sound like NASA Mission Control talking techno-geeky speak….. But these are just things we do every day, No?
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Be yourself !
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As far as QSL’ing, that is another art form. Some ham really like to exchange cards… when I first started as a young teenage ham in the UK, I receive cards from practically everyone I talked to. I absolutely loved it!- and I responded religiously, following my ham father’s advice he got from his ham father--
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…………………The final courtesy of a QSO is a QSL……….
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If you receive one, return yours. You will enjoy getting them, and sending them- think of it kind’a like the old Victorian practice of the Calling Card, followed by the engraved Thank Note after the social call…. An old but polite way of life still living on in ham radio… do your part to preserve it.
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Like I said, there is an art to it… this is what I do/did (did, for today I return cards only; I don’t send them out anymore.)
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I always send by Snail Mail-- a printed card in an envelope, via USPS-- handwritten address, a stamp-- on the card- handwritten- are the particulars of the QSO ; the date, band, RST etc., and some personal notes about how I enjoyed the contact. If you really! want a card from me, enclose a SASE (self address’d stamp’d envelope,) -- and if I am that rare DX and you !! Really Really !! need to confirm my country, enclosing a “green stamp*,” or two; some postcards from your country etc… that will make me smile -an insure I respond very quickly.
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As far as the rare DX QSL card stuff, the above is but my method… others may have differing advice. I will say however, that I have been surrounded by amateur radio from the time I drew my first breathe….. I have operated from all over the world, from some pretty rare places, and I know all sides of the QSL game. The above works for me.
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Okay a summation--
Send the best, most unique, card you can afford/design. Don’t use the Bureau’s, and , let’s see-- oh yes--I haven’t used - or intend to- the new E-verify type confirmations that seem to be in vogue (yes, I am a dinosaur….
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Does this give you some insights Delivers?… please remember, this is one person’s perspective. Have fun!
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………………….CF
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* old ham speak for a dollar bill