I favor USA hams send ing $5.00 USD or equivalent IRC amount along with a QSL request to both DXpeditions and hams in known poor countries, and there are many, some of which are not often thought poor but which have high postage costs or terrible inflation or both.
USA hams seem to assume that if a ham is on the air from a poorer country, that the DX ham is nevertheless, himself rich. Well, maybe by the standards of the DX's country, but by American standards..... THINK AGAIN !!! Many times, just not so.
Think of it, Mr. USA Ham.... You live in the richest country in the world, what u spent on electricity to run your rig is more than the food budget for FAMILIES in many places, and u have already invested thousands in ham gear and antennas. You can afford to more than meet the cost of return postage, printing cards, etc.
It is time to stop the whining about sending ONE IRC or green stamp and getting nothing back. There are several real reasons for QSLs not arriving, or getting lost anywhere. BUT, if u are doing thousands of cards in your SPARE time, believe me that the one you open with a fiver in it really perks u up. And THE REASON IS THAT THE FIVE IS MORE LIKE THE REAL COST OF SENDING QSLs.
Please think of it as NOT paying for anything.... think of it as a donation... a sharing of the wealth, a gift to a fellow ham who has helped you..... U are not paying for a card, you are helping !
America is generous to the world. It is time for American hams to do likewise.
73,
Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PS... I believe that no one OWES you a card.
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