RE: [HCDX] State broadcasters : QSLs part of domenstrating state power...

["Andy Sennitt" <andys@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> Verifing reception is part of a state broadcaster's responsibility -- it
is
> part of domenstrating that the state is still properly functioning.

This can't be serious. It's like being in a time warp. I remember even
genial George Wood getting angry when someone made that point at an EDXC
Conference many years ago. I thought such attitudes had been well and truly
removed from the hobby. First of all, we are not state broadcasters. We are
public broadcasters. Secondly, international broadcasters are not on the air
for the gratification of people who are only interested in their technical
operations. QSL cards were, in the past, sent out as a way of saying thanks
because the broadcasters relied on reception reports to determine how well
their transmissions were being received. Those days are long gone. Most
broadcasters can check reception themselves via remotely operated receivers,
or monitor each other's broadcasts on a professional level. The world has
moved on, but some DXers' attitudes apparently haven't :-(

Many international broadcasters continue to send out QSL cards as a public
relations exercise. That's all it is - not a duty or a responsibility. Radio
Netherlands is still threatened with further massive budget cuts. Do you
imagine that QSL cards are high on the list of priorities? I have personal
friends who have lost their jobs. Can I tell them, "never mind, at least we
can still afford to send out postcards to DXers in Vladivostok" ?

I think instead of pontificating in this group, which is supposed to be (or
at least was originally) for people who have some understanding of the
subject, time would be better spent learning the basics. Our feature Writing
Useful Reception Reports at
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/practical/html/receptionreports.html was written
some years ago, but is still highly relevant. It also sets out Radio
Netherlands' attitude to sending out QSL cards.

Andy Sennitt
Radio Netherlands



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