New North American Innovative QSL Service

[VA3FH]

An innovative QSL service named iQSLUSA ( www.iqslusa.com) is now operational from Niagara Falls, NY. The service is aimed at both e-QSL as well paper QSL users and contains several innovative features designed to make QSLers life easier.


First pioneering element that comes to mind is an online design tool called QSLmaker. It actually allows creating your own QSL cards online without downloading or learning any programs. Most of cards turn out to be rather attractive; since the system lets you add your call, logos and other related graphics to various templates of predetermined styles. For example, you can play around with vintage 1930's looks or modern images from space.

Right now there are approximately 30 different styles present and (according to developers) the system is being frequently updated. Once the right layout is finished, you can e-mail it to yourself or use it as e-qsl by e-mailing it to the person with whom you just had a QSO.
For those of us who prefer paper QSL cards, iQSLUSA arranges full color QSL printing in US at decent rates. Along with that come several additional free services aimed to eliminate backlogs and save time.

For example, you may e-mail your log in spread sheet format, and they will automatically fill in your QSO table during printing. So if your backlog consists of several hundred cards, this type of service may certainly become handy.

In addition, they may pre sort all QSL cards alphabetically, as well as forward them to incoming or outgoing Bureaus in North America. Thus if you need a QSL manager, iQSLUSA could effectively become one.

An entire website in itself is quite attractive; has a fair size QSL gallery and is generally pleasant to look at. You may find it at www.iqslusa.com Hopefully you will enjoy as I did.

73s! Helmut VA3FH

[n6ajr]

well its an interesting concept, but Eqsl has had the qsl maker for years, and DXLABS ( free) will print labels, or cards or waht do you want, also upload to LOTW or EQSL automatically and so on.

So this whole blurb looks like a free advertisement for the site mentioned..

[w3wn]

So, what does this "new," "innovative" QSL service do that GlobalQSL doesn't do?

(Outside of not requiring a download of a specific free software package that doesn't run on older OS's, that is?)

I suspect that as the cost of full-color printing goes down and the availability of full-color laser printing increases, we're going to see more and more systems like these sites.

"Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

The important thing to grasp is that the combination of cheaper quality printing and mail merging capability will make it more convenient (and in some cases cost effective) for some to manage their QSL'ing tasks. And that's a good thing!

73

[N2RJ]

I can see ARRL and other awards clubs starting to deny QSLs from globalqsl and others because of this.

Sad but true.

[n3aiu]

Another on-line QSL service is not necessarily a bad thing. More competition usually means superior products, lower prices, higher efficiency, and better customer service.

73, Nick N3AIU/DL1NE

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 09 2007,21:07)]I can see ARRL and other awards clubs starting to deny QSLs from globalqsl and others because of this.

Sad but true.
Now let's not put the cart before the horse...

If I authorize someone, who happens to be a QSL card printer, to act as my QSL manager... and that person (or company) prints and distributes cards on my behalf, again with proper authorization... there should be no problem for an awards program accepting the card.

Why? Because the card is being issued from my log.

The core problems with eQSL, and so far as I know only eQSL, are two fold:

(1) There is nothing to stop me from downloading and modifying a downloaded eQSL .jpg file, printing it, and submitting it. [And yes, I know you can do that with physical cards too, but it's a great deal tougher & more expensive to duplicate a DXpedition's printed card than their e-card]. Without direct confirmation from the originating station or authorized manager... it's just a .jpg file.

(2) There is little to stop you from faking a log (I know of at least 3 ways to do it, as do others -- I have a P5SLIM card to prove it!), putting in "QSO's" for me, uploading it, letting me "confirm" the contacts, and then ordering a "printed" e-card for awards purposes. ["Authentication guaranteed?" Doesn't help once I have the printed "QSL" in my hands]

Fix these problems, and I think you could make a case for wider acceptance of eQSL for awards purposes.

[KG4RUL]

Quote[/b] (w3wn @ July 11 2007,03:18)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 09 2007,21:07)]I can see ARRL and other awards clubs starting to deny QSLs from globalqsl and others because of this.

Sad but true.
Now let's not put the cart before the horse...

If I authorize someone, who happens to be a QSL card printer, to act as my QSL manager... and that person (or company) prints and distributes cards on my behalf, again with proper authorization... there should be no problem for an awards program accepting the card.

Why? Because the card is being issued from my log.

The core problems with eQSL, and so far as I know only eQSL, are two fold:

(1) There is nothing to stop me from downloading and modifying a downloaded eQSL .jpg file, printing it, and submitting it. [And yes, I know you can do that with physical cards too, but it's a great deal tougher & more expensive to duplicate a DXpedition's printed card than their e-card]. Without direct confirmation from the originating station or authorized manager... it's just a .jpg file.

(2) There is little to stop you from faking a log (I know of at least 3 ways to do it, as do others -- I have a P5SLIM card to prove it!), putting in "QSO's" for me, uploading it, letting me "confirm" the contacts, and then ordering a "printed" e-card for awards purposes. ["Authentication guaranteed?" Doesn't help once I have the printed "QSL" in my hands]

Fix these problems, and I think you could make a case for wider acceptance of eQSL for awards purposes.
Good Lord! If someone is going to this much trouble just to get an Amateur Radio award, it is time to re-think ALL award programs.

I, for one, don't even bother to accumulate for awards. I like to get paper cards in hand for my own personal satisfaction. I currently have 139 in my collection. Not a great number by some standards but, they make me happy to have and to occasionally look through. Some are first contacts for some other ham while others are small works of art.

Amateur Radio is supposed to be a FUN hobby!

[N7YA]

Quote[/b] (KG4RUL @ July 11 2007,13:24)]Good Lord! #If someone is going to this much trouble just to get an Amateur Radio award, it is time to re-think ALL award programs. #

I, for one, don't even bother to accumulate for awards. #I like to get paper cards in hand for my own personal satisfaction. #I currently have 139 in my collection. Not a great number by some standards but, they make me happy to have and to occasionally look through. #Some are first contacts for some other ham while others are small works of art.

Amateur Radio is supposed to be a FUN hobby!
Ive been saying this for years...i got my WAC award because it only took 7 cards...well, 6 really...simple easy and there ya go! but who am i impressing? When i KNOW i worked a station (because i was there), and i have a card in my hand, i get the same fun out of it...award or not.

I may go for a couple of awards just for kicks, but im not losing any sleep over it. I collect the cards because i enjoy it, every last one of them is important to me. awards? not so much. But i know that its important to many hams out there and thats one of the things that makes this hobby great...the endless avenues you can explore in the hobby. Ted, K1BV is an award junkie...i worked him back in the early to mid 80's, his QSL looked like a resume, a really impressive one! hes dedicated to award hunting, good for him...good op and a nice guy. I just like REACHING the country, thats what makes me happy.

I must agree, how complicated does a simple award have to get? I mean, you are paying for this thing on every level, theres all the cost collecting the cards, your gear, mailing...then theres usually an award "fee" you have to pay. im not jabbing, if thats your thing then the cost is par for the that course. Holding applicants to a level of integrity is understandable, but awards like DXCC are getting crazy now...everyone is jumping through hoops. oh well, to each his own, have fun.

73...Adam, N7YA

[n4dsp]

Is this part of the North American Union which is going to consist of Canada, the United States, and Mexico I have been hearing about?

john-n4dsp