Is there some standard way of emailing a QRZ member? What I mean is, some members don't (apparently) have an email listed on their QRZ page. Is there some standard mechanism like "<callsign>@qrz.com" that will forward an email to a member? Or, if they don't post an email on their page, is a QRZ PM/conversation the only way to reach them? I ask because I've seen some ads on the swapmeet where no email is given, no email is apparent on their user page, and it seems the only contact is a PM/conversation.
You have to be a full "Ham Member" with an FCC callsign to see other ham members' email addresses posted on their profile pages (and even then some don't have one posted). I'm not sure if you can use the PM/Conversation system as a non-ham member.
I have had no problems with convos, having bought a couple things recently on the swap meet via convo/PM. But I have seen a few for-sale posts saying "email me using email listed on QRZ" but then I can't find their email. I'm a licensed General. Unfortunately the old-skool amateur ethos of "put your full name and mailing address on the internet" isn't as safe as it used to be.
No problem. Just know that many features and functions of the QRZ site require users to be "Ham members" - notably, the "Swap Meet" sections, and being able to have your own QRZ Bio page Dave W7UUU QRZ Admin
Sorry - I thought meant to POST in the swapmeet. No, anyone can view. For a while QRZ had it hidden period to non-Ham-members but HQ felt that allowing non-members to at least see offerings might draw them into membership. But still not able to see emails or post new ads (or "replies" back when that was a thing - which of course is now disabled entirely) Just as the OP states, a non-member will get the impression that no emails are visible - they don't even see the message "click to view email address" - the box is just blank. Now, if a seller is dumb enough to put their email in plain sight in the ad, that's a different story. Sorry I misread your statement Dave W7UUU
Yes, like Dave says I can see the listings. I've bought a Yaesu HT and an antenna tuner recently, no issues. There's been a few other listings I wanted to buy but couldn't contact the seller. When a seller gets payment via PayPal or Zelle, there's not much room for a buyer to be dishonest. The jeopardy of dishonesty really leans towards the seller's side these days. I suppose QRZ's community has discussed the forced openness of using one's callsign online. There's certainly pros & cons.
Wait a minute, isn't your 'full name & mailing address' already online, at the FCC site? Who are you afraid of/hiding from ? The IRS? No, they're a Federal agency, they already have the full scoop on you. QANON ?? LOL!! Ex-wives ?! State agencies have to disclose your whereabouts to them, if anything 'LEGAL' is involved. Have you been hacked at the 'currently-unknown-to-most' email address ? Even a dynamically assigned IP is no impediment to someone who wants to, and knows how, to dig deeper. Personally I don't think there's anything 'old school' about it. The FCC posts ALL registrant information online, for the entire world to see, why hide in the bushes?
I use DuckDuckGo's email protection system as my email address on QRZ logbook, among other things. It's basically a forwarding service, with protection features built-in. Works great and keeps your real email address hidden. It is a simple and free service, but it's not completely intuitive, so do read up on how it works and how to get it: https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/email-protection/
Fascinating... What exactly are you worried about? Here at radio WG7X I'm listed at the FCC since 1987, here at QRZ.com since 2001, even have the dreaded ham radio license plate. IOW, I'm easy to find if you know where to look and I'm not worried at all. Have not had a single instance of any sort of problem either... So here's my deep dark secret: I was active in CB back in the seventies. Had a legal call sign: KOS9712. The local CB community at Ft. Sill OK where I was stationed was very active and filled with nice people. It wasn't until the late seventies that the morons started abusing Citizens Band and strangely enough that about the time that I first heard folks trying to be secretive about their actual name and location. That of course, was because a large number of the bad actors were operating totally illegally and had "reasons" to hide. FCC was pretty active in those days and the local field office was in Dallas / Ft. Worth TX. They were frequent visitors to Lawton OK. The scofflaws all tried their best to hide, but guess what? FCC was smarter than they were and a lot of them got their stuff confiscated. This is all by way of explanation of why someone these days might still carry the stigma left over from the "bad old days". Are you interested in explaining your reticence to show who you are here or should we just assume the worst?
You're replying to an ancient post from someone who hasn't been on the site for three years, so don't expect an answer-
