[amsat-bb] Re: reply from arrl on new vucc fees

[Scott Armstrong]

Don't forget to include what it cost to obtain a minimum of 100 QSLs in the pre VUCC-LOTW world. 
Assuming (worst case) SASEs were sent @44 cents each and assuming 100% response rate (lots of assuming here)plus the $12 for the award fee, it would have cost a minimum of $100. So that $23 for a LOTW only application looks great. 
 
The two things that really burns me is the fact that a hybrid application is not supported like it is on DXCC or WAS. Realistically, you will not have 100% of the grids confirmed on LOTW. This is true of DXCC and WAS even after 8 years of operation. So your basically going to be charged double fees to have all the confirmed LOTW and paper grids credited. The other thing is the 20 cent per QSO charge for paper applications.  It is totally out of line considering what was charged for a VUCC application and what is currently charged for DXCC applications.
 
Don't think I'm slamming LOTW or opposed to it. I love it and think it is a great idea considering postage costs these days but it can be better. I also love paper QSLs.  I'm just a little ticked by the greed in Newington these days. I sure hope this isn't the Leagues idea of how to attract to new blood to the hobby and revitalize its current membership. Things must be pretty rosy in Newington these days considering the rest of the country is in a recession.
 
Scott AA5AM
 
 
> From: aa5jg at fidmail.com
> To: kk5do at arrl.net; amsat-bb at amsat.org
> Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:24:20 +0000
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: reply from arrl on new vucc fees
> 
> The application fee didn't really go down, it also went up, except for VUCCs 
> on 2.3ghz and above. The application fee used to be $12, and that included 
> how many QSLs you sent to get the VUCC. Now if I want to get a brand new 
> VUCC on 6m using LOTW, it is $7 for the intial fee, plus $16.00 for the QSL 
> fee, so it is $23, as opposed to the previous $12, so it has doubled in 
> price.
> 
> 73s John AA5JG
> 
> ---- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bruce" <kk5do at arrl.net>
> To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 12:25 AM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] reply from arrl on new vucc fees
> 
> 
> > okay, here is what bill moore, nc1l, the head guy for the arrl awards has 
> > to say
> > about the new structure for the awards. note at the bottom, if you are
> > submitting your first ever award with 50 lotw and 50 cards, you must 
> > submit two
> > separate applications and two separate fees.
> >
> >
> > this is self explanatory (don't shoot the messenger).
> >
> > 73...bruce
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Forwarded Message ----
> > From: "Moore, Bill, NC1L (ARRL Awards Branch)" <nc1l at arrl.org>
> > To: bruce paige <kk5do at arrl.net>
> > Sent: Mon, January 24, 2011 6:14:19 PM
> > Subject: RE: National Association for Amateur Radio Website Form
> >
> >
> > Hi Bruce:
> >
> > Here is how the new fees work:
> >
> > First, for VUCC there is no Hybrid application like there is for DXCC and 
> > WAS.
> >
> > For paper applications:
> >
> > $7.00 application fee
> > Each QSO is $0.20
> > $1.00 postage
> > $12.00 for each certificate
> >
> > LoTW Applications:
> >
> > $5.00 application fee
> > Each QSO in LoTW is $0.16
> > $1.00 for paperwork postage
> > $12.00 for each certificate
> >
> > Eg: If someone has a first time ever Satellite VUCC with 250 QSOs the fees 
> > would
> > be:
> >
> > $7.00 for the application
> > $50.00 for 250 QSOs @ $0.20 each
> > $12.00 for the certificate
> > $1.00 for paperwork/sticker return
> >
> > His total would be $70.00
> >
> > If he has LoTW and Paper both categories would apply above since we do not 
> > have
> > hybrids anymore.
> >
> > Basically, the application fee went down and other fees were adjusted.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> >
> >
> > If someone needs 100 for a first time ever and they have 50 LoTW and 50 
> > paper,
> > they would do each application, separately, and the fees for each 
> > application
> > apply as noted above.
> >
> >
> > Bill Moore NC1L
> > Awards Branch Manager
> > ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™
> > 225 Main Street
> > Newington, CT 06111
> > Telephone: (860) 594 0234
> > Fax: (860) 594-0346
> > email: dxcc at arrl.org
> > DXCC Web Site: www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc
> > Blog: http://www.arrl.org/awards-blog
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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> > 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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