YOUNG@MARLBORO.DEC.COM (11/05/85)
The question of IRCs versus dollars is, unfortunately, not simple. The best one depends on what country you are QSLing to. For example: When sending a QSL to VU you should use IRCs because it is illegal for Indians to have American Dollars, and you could get them in BIG trouble. ZL hams are also not supposed to receive dollars. In Australia, an American Dollar is not sufficient for air mail postage. In 3D6, it takes lots of IRCs to buy an air mail stamp (I think 5). If you work one of the missionaries, you can send a dollar instead, and it will cost you less and give him more. In Ecuador, at the moment it is possible to buy IRCs but not to turn them in! You are better off sending a dollar (which they can change to sucres) if you want a card. If you are a foreign ham sending to the US, and you have access to IRCs and to dollars, you should send either $1.00 or 2 IRCs, whichever is cheaper. The post office charges 65 cents for an IRC, and returns 35 cents. However, most hams who receive IRCs don't turn them in; they re-use them, or they sell them to other hams at some price between 35 and 65 cents. The best thing to do usually is to ask the other ham what he prefers, if in doubt send IRCs (you can get the correct number of IRCs from a list in the Callbook). Paul Young, K1XM --------
Karz.Wbst@Xerox.ARPA (11/06/85)
For those needing a QSL from that rare DX station, there is a better way. A good friend of mine, George Robertson W2AZX, runs a DX Stamp Service out of his home. George will sell you a first class airmail stamp from virtually any country in the world. Thus, you send the DX station (or his foreign QSL manager) a self addressed stamped envelope with his own country's postage, and all he has to do is slip in your card and mail it. George's prices vary from country to country but generally are in the $1.25 range. This is often cheaper than IRC's and less hastle for the DX station as well. In addition it avoids the theft and possible currency law violation problems of "green stamps". George fills most orders within 24 hours. If there is enough interest, I'll put his price list on the net. Alternatively, you can send a sase to: DX Stamp Service G. N. Robertson, W2AZX 7661 Roder Parkway Ontario, New York 14519 George lives just down the road from me, so when I work a rare one I can get stamps the same day. I find I get very fast response from DX stations and often receive favorable remarks on the cards as well. The convenience is definitely appreciated. 73 Bob Karz K2OID