vuccmistakes

Common Mistakes and eQSL Information

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1. Sending exactly 100 cards for initial verification. It never hurts to send 2 or 3 extra cards in the event I should need to reject a card or two for any reason. Note - The cost of checking the QSL cards for an initial issue of VUCC is $10.00, so it costs nothing more to send a few extra cards.

2. Call signs. Call sign missing from the QSL card. It seldom happens but the card will be rejected without an identifiable call sign. Call sign on the application form and the QSL card don't match. Example: On the application there is the call sign KB2ABC, but, the QSL card is from KC2ABC. Check and double check the call sign on the QSL card against the applications form.

3. Grid number missing. There must be a grid location identifiable on the QSL card. If it is evident that the other operator hand printed the grid location on the card that is acceptable. Applicants may indicate in pencil (pencil ONLY) the grid locator on the address side of the cards that DO NOT clearly indicate the grid locator. The applicant affirms that he/she has accurately determined the proper location from the address information given on the card.

4. Altered QSL card. If any of the QSO data is altered in any way the card becomes suspect. Alterations made to the call sign will almost certainly not be accepted. If it is clearly a mistake corrected by the other station, at the card checkers discretion, it may be accepted. If not accepted by the card checker it may be sent to ARRL for final determination. Anything rewritten, struck through or modified which causes doubt in the mind of the card checker, is grounds for rejection. A card that has had "whiteout" applied and new data written over it will almost certainly be rejected.

5. Electronic QSL cards. At this time electronic QSL cards, such as those you receive from another station and then print on your own printer, i.e. eQSL, are not acceptable for credit toward the VUCC award. Do not include any electronic QSL cards, that you have printed, as they will be rejected. Note - This has changed as the ARRL is continuing to work on the Log Book of The World project. When the ARRL project is complete actual QSL cards may not be required at all, just a confirmation between electronic log books. WAS credits can now be used via the Log Book of the World program.

Note - You may use cards printed by eQSL and sent to you via the mail, this is a pay per card service provided by eQSL. In this case eQSL is in effect acting as a QSL manager for the other station. Please read the following from Bill Moore, NC1L, at the ARRL DXCC desk. This letter was written by Bill in response to a question concerning the DXCC award, but, and in my opinion, it is probably fair to say that this would be the philosophy concerning electronic QSL cards for any ARRL award.

From: Moore, Bill, NC1L [mailto:bmoore@arrl.org]

Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 12:31 PM

To: 'Richard B. Drake'

Cc: DXCC

Subject: RE: Professionally Printed and mailed eQSL's

Hi Rich:

Something does not sound right here. You are saying that Dave is physically mailing out QSL cards by the US postal system? This is news to me.

If you are my QSL manager and I send you my logs by e-mail, I am sending them direct from point A to point B. Just as if I was sending them to you by regular mail. This is OK. I remember somewhere several years ago that some people used to get their logs over the air on RTTY and another digital mode (AMTOR I think). Not a problem.

However, if as the result of a log being sent to eQSL, someone goes in and receives a card electronically and uses it for DXCC, that eQSL cannot be accepted for DXCC credit under rule 2. I spent a bit of time with a simple shareware program to prove the unreliability of that method.

However, if Dave, acting as a QSL manager with station logs completes a card (even one from his printer) and sends it by mail to you, this is an acceptable exchange and we have seen this often for several years now (assuming he physically checks the log). Many people use self-made cards from their printer. Each one is evaluated on a case by case basis, and many times under Section IV rule 4(b) we have conducted an audit to insure the validity of a card like this.

In cases like this it would be REAL nice if they used a stamp or placed their initials or signature on it, but this is not required by the rules. However, this issue has been discussed and has been given some consideration.

To clarify, if Dave is sending out cards through the US Postal System as the result of the log(s) he receives, this is OK. (This would basically be operating as a QSL manager).

Regards,

Bill Moore NC1L

DXCC Manager

ARRL Electronic QSL Policy