Global QSL - new QSL service

At a meeting of radio amateurs in Friedrichshafen, I came across a presentation of an interesting service called GlobalQSL (www.globalqsl.com) at the stand of the Israel Radio Club. It was founded by Azar Hami 4X6MI. This is a service that includes QSL printing, listing, sorting and sending them to the relevant QSL services around the world.

How does GlobalQSL work?

The whole system works so that after registration you download a graphic editor in which you create the design of your QSLs. In the e-shop, you purchase (prepay) the service you require, for example printing 1000 QSLs. Then you just upload your journal in the format ADIF and you are waiting for incoming QSLs, which will of course go to you via the ČRK QSL service (SZR QSL service). You also have the option of having QSL tickets sent directly to the GlobalQSL service, but sending them to the Czech Republic is subject to a fee.

QSL cards are full-color, double-sided, in photo quality, the front side is laminated, and everything is printed on 300 g paper. The connection data generated from your log is printed directly when printing the entire QSL ticket and in terms of quality, I have held samples in hand and it is fully comparable to the quality of our domestic QSL producers; I dare say that he certainly surpasses one of them.

Price of QSL tickets

Now to the prices. The price for printing 1000 QSLs, their subsequent sorting and distribution costs 82 dollars, which is approximately 1,740 CZK. Printing 100 QSLs costs .90, approx. CZK 210. If I calculate that compared to buying in the Czech Republic, I will pay 25 halers (250 CZK) extra for each QSL ticket because I don't have to personally take them to the post office, I don't have to make them complicated or write them out by hand, I save time for sorting and postage when sending them to the QSL service, it seems to me that it is probably worth it.

I am fully aware that you will think: "this has nothing to do with amateur broadcasting anymore, if I don't write the ticket myself, then it loses its charm for me" - I partly agree with you. It gives me mixed thoughts too. I consulted everything with my friends and some representatives at ČRK (what the QSL service will probably say about it) and this is what I came up with.

Advantages and disadvantages of GlobalQSL

I see the benefit and can consider it if, for example:

• I want to save time, effort or money.
• I have larger leftovers in my hamshack in the form of unconfirmed QSL tickets.
• I undertook some expedition with a large quantity QSO or I decided to send QSL tickets from some plant.

I see the disadvantages of this service in this:

• I have a gut feeling that this service alienates and takes away a piece of the nice thing that belongs to amateur broadcasting - ticket writing.
• I cannot sign the ticket with my own hand and it is possible that they might not be recognized in one of the diplomas.
• I do not speak English at all and it is difficult for me to use this service.
• I only know the bare minimum on a computer, and mastering a relatively simple graphic editor is a big problem for me.
• I don't have an account with PayPal and I don't even know anyone who could mediate a payment abroad via the Internet.
• I do not keep a station diary in electronic form.
• To present my brand, I need a simple, one-sided QSL ticket, the price of which is lower, and it is not worth using the service.

In conclusion, I would like to write one indisputable advantage that I think the service cannot be denied: if someone does not send QSL tickets just because he is lazy or does not have time, this service gives him more than a helping hand and probably increases the chance of getting an answer to his ticket.

This is just a brief introduction to something that I found new and interesting at the meeting. A lot of information can be found directly on the site www.globalqsl.com. In a historically short period of time, I am thinking about trying it. I look forward to your opinion, what do you think about it.

Ludek OK2IEN