Please, DO NOT send to the F, TK, W4 or G bureaux you will not receive a reply.

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IRCs: Please unless you cannot avoid it, don't send IRCs. Please include US$2 to help defray expenses.
UK to terminate IRCs. IRCs (International Reply Coupons) - it takes MASSIVE effort (yes, nearly 45 minutes!) to get the USPS to exchange these as they are required to by membership of the UPU. Print this document and take it with you to the USPS Post Office nearest you! USPS Post offices no longer stock IRCs to buy - go here to buy online. Other IRC links: G3SWH W9OL N6DHZ

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The best way to make sure your QSL card gets to me and my reply gets to you

QSLs - Why no IRCs?
Discussion amongst many DXers in NA/SA have shown that the USPS is making it VERY hard to encash IRCs since 2007-01-02. 

In fact, although they are supposed to sell them, they have no idea what they are.

QSLs - Why SAE?

 If you send a self addressed envelope it makes returning a QSL to you VERY easy and VERY much less prone to errors. 

There's absolutely no need to put the senders address on the top left of the envelope. If you put your own it will freak out the USPS (since 2001-09-11 they delay or destroy many sent this way). 

I have my own stampers and if you put your address there, I will just have to black it out anyway.

It makes life much easier if you include a self-adhesive envelope. It saves those tongue paper cuts which are truly awful. Buy a supply of them, other DX stations will like you for it.

QSLs - Why so much money? [International Postage is now $1.05 per envelope]
The rate for sending a letter from the USA to outside the USA increased from US$0.66 to US$0.98 after 2007-01-01 (and to even Canada to US$0.75). A HUGE increase. The cost (at the lowest price possible) of a full colour QSL card is US$0.08. If you send US$2 and SAE it helps a lot!!!! Sending one from VP9 costs well in excess of US$2. A very complex calculator for USA mailing can be found here.

QSLs - Why no bureau?
I'm not a member of a Society which receives & sends bureau cards.

QSLs - Why none sent out from me?
I gave up DX chasing at least 20 years ago. If you want a card, you'll get one, but I don't send any out unless I receive one first.

QSL cards are (not) printed and being shipped direct.

They do not look exactly like the image shown above.

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Postage Rates from the USA

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After 2013-01-27 (Sunday), they are: To International: US$1.10 To Canada: US$1.10 To Mexico: US$1.10 USA: US$0.46 USA Postcard: US$0.33

After 2012-01-22 (Sunday), they are: To International: US$1.05 <------ breaks through $1 for first time! To Canada: US$0.85 To Mexico: US$0.85 USA: US$0.45 USA Postcard: US$0.32

After 2011-05-09 (Monday), they were: To International: US$0.98 To Canada: US$0.80 To Mexico: US$0.80 USA: US$0.44 USA Postcard: US$0.29

After 2010-05-10 (Monday), they were: To International: US$0.98 To Canada: US$0.75 To Mexico: US$0.79 USA: US$0.44

After 2009-05-11 (Monday), these increased to: To International: US$0.98 To Canada: US$0.75 To Mexico: US$0.79 USA: US$0.44

After 2008-05-12 (Monday), these increased to: To International: US$0.94 To Canada/Mexico: US$0.72 USA (1oz): US$0.42

To International: US$0.90 (many countries) To Canada/Mexico: US$0.69 USA (1oz): US$0.41

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QSL Policy

Error in QSO data	QSL decision
Time in error by small amount or by integer number of hours.	QSL, with time changed to that at TK/G4BKI
Callsign in log is close (by a dit or so) and the correct log callsign has not already been QSLed.	QSL
Band is wrong. Station error. Not TK/G4BKI as band is derived from computer controlled rig.	QSL, with band changed to that at TK/G4BKI
Mode is wrong. No chance. I only operate CW.	No QSL
All other cases.	No QSL, pending further investigation

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