I went through this convoluted IRC story about three years ago when I got real serious about QSLing. I found this real nice website that seems to give the straight scoop on IRCs.
http://www.n6hb.org/s-a/irc.htm and another helpful site: http://www.files.billnjudy.com/ You might want to check them out. It says much of what has been exchanged here but has some additional info including some pictures of the different types of IRCs. Incidentally, I do not use IRCs any more, unless specifically requested. I go to the bank and get nice crisp $2 bills. This covers AirMail postage to most everywhere, except the countries that don't like American money. I use Microsoft word to print out the outgoing address on the outgoing envelope (# 10 - with that security tint on the envelope paper) and no callsigns etc. I print out my address on my return address, also with Microsoft Word. The return envelope (#6 3/4) also has the security tint. I put my card and the $2 or IRC if requested, inside my envelope. My expense for sending a QSL card with response is: QSL Card $ .10 AirMail Postage .84 $2 for return 2.00 +cost of the two envelopes and the printer ink. QSLing has gotten real expensive. ...and what does this have to do with DXBASE? Well, I think my lucky stars I have DXBase because it allows me to quickly identify, and print the cards that I need to send, either to the bureau, direct or to the manager. Sorry this is so long. Bill, W5VX >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:dxbase- >[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of FireBrick >Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2006 7:21 AM >To: DXBase List >Subject: [Dxbase] IRC list > >Up to recently, IRC's were the better choice in qsling. >Green Stamps were prone to disintegrating/evaporating in >the postal system. > >But recently due to various Postal Systems saying they >don't need to comply with all the >Postal union rules. >(Or in some cases, outlying post offices may have never >even seen the rules) >Has resulted in GS's being a bit more economical. > >Theoretically, a IRC could be exchanged for a 'first >class' postage. >But various countries have different levels of 'first >class'....and the one they want to >exchange with postage for...is via camel or canoe. If >the sender wants to send it Air >Mail...he must make up the difference. >The other issue is exchange rate. Lately it seem to >change as often as Joan River's face. > >And one thing most people don't know is that most >countries do not give a stamp to the >person exchanging the IRC, they take the letter and >imprint it with the postage mark. >So you can't get a bunch of stamps and sit at home >sticking them on envelopes. > >One European country has even done away with Post >Offices per se, you buy your postage at >convenient stores/petrol stations etc. > >So my basic rule is.."Do as the station asks. If they >say send IRC's or they say 2 >GS's...I do as requested. > >You may find this helpful >http://www.qsl.net/w9ol/IRC_Chart.htm >you can include it in the Programs Menu by putting >C:\Program Files\Internet >Explorer\IEPLORE.exe into the Command line and the above >url into the Arguments line. >Give it any name you want in Menu Text > >And Jack, you might include this as an icon like you >have for Pathfinder. > > > > >----------------------------------------------------- >If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. >----------------------------------------------------- > >Bill H. in Chicagoland >webcams at http://24.14.49.4:8080 >weather at http://mywebpages.comcast.net/w9ol/WX/HH.htm > > >________________________________________________________ >______ >Dxbase mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/dxbase >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:[email protected]
