| My Visit with the DXCC QSL Card Checker | ||
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 On
26 December 2007, the day after Christmas, I met with Jim Hoge, W5QM, who is one
the
ARRL
Card Checkers here in north Texas. Out of the 100+ cards I brought to
the meeting, I had just enough to make the club. I am now a member of the most
elite group of Amateur Radio Operators; The
DXCC or the DX Century Club.
Nice Christmas Present huh?
What about those cards that didn't make it? What's up with that? That is the lesson I am going to share. I have said it once and I will say it again, "If you have issues with your penmanship, get you one of those logging programs that allow you to print out the QSO information on a small label that you can simply just peel off and place on the back of your QSL card". I had 2 cards seriously questioned due to the fact the person writing out the QSO information did not make the M in my call, KD5OM, look like a M. Take a look at the photos of the 2 cards that were questioned: (click on either of the cards to see a larger image in a new window) 
 The hand writing wasn't real clear. On the PY1EG card, was that a KD5OM, KD5OH or a KD5ON? Same thing on the LR4E card. You go through the trouble of busting the pile-up, carefully preparing the QSL cards to send, stuff the envelope with a few Greenstamps or IRCs, and wait months just to get back a card that the card checkers might not allow. Bummer! Take a look at the next card from ZF1A: (click on the card to see a larger image in a new window)
Can you see what's wrong with this card? Joe, ZF2AH didn't put the call of the station he was QSLing with. This card was disqualified for my DXCC count. I didn't have them with me but I have several others back home in the box from Cayman Islands. Another lesson, go ahead and bring with you to the Card Checker ALL of your cards just in case you need to substitute a bad card with a good card. I also have more Brazil and Argentina cards that I can shake a stick at, but I didn't have them with me at the Card Checkers house. Go to the ARRL's web site on Field Checking QSL Cards to learn what you might need to bring with you to the Card Checker. I did bring proof that I was a member of the ARRL which was a photocopy of my membership card. Bring your checkbook, I wrote a check for $14.50 payable to the ARRL. I didn't bring a stamped envelope to mail the forms to the ARRL. Thanks to my Card Checker, I paid him to do that for me. But take this lesson and bring an envelope addressed to the ARRL and with adequate postage. I hope this information helps. 73s and I'll see you in the pileups! Amateur Radio - Ham Radio - Shortwave Radio - Ham Radio Antennas - QSL Cards - QSL Card Printing - radio hams - ham radio antennas - ham radio suppliers - ham radio test - printing |
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