I can send some money, no problem, hopefully you take venmo.

Formyour questions

1. I agree

2. No idea

3. Digital is good

4. I dont need another mug, already out of room, but the thought is definitely appreciated.

5. Ok

6. No problem, I do it for the fun and enjoy talking to all the Hams.

Like to sign up for this year also.

Ian KN4TBG

?

David:

?

1. Happy to contribute to defray QSL expenses.? Let me know where to send funds by mail or Zelle.

I'd like to keep cards,the annual themes are fun and I've been developing a collection over the years, and hope my grandsons will appreciate for at least a moment grandpas' cool postcards, although I realistically expect my wife or kids will eventually trash them.??

2. I'm also OK with digital certificates.? ALL the ARISS SSTV events for example now use them. I can print out on color printer and fancy paper for the notebook with the QSL cards.

3. Don't need more mugs (although I do appreciate the K2B mugs we've been doing and happy to pay full cost if I order one) and bling; if they continue, it should be at no cost to the 13 Colonies organizer(s).

?

Looking forward to putting K2B on sats again this year.

?

73 Steve KS1G

?

On Thu, May 1, 2025 at 9:31?AM David Wright K2WPM via <dwright=[email protected]> wrote:

I wanted to let everyone know that Ken, KU2US, the founder and boss of 13 Colonies, has retired due to health issues.? He appointed a successor, Tony N4ATJ.? I had hoped he would leave it to the colony-managers to carry on the show but that's not happening.? We have a Zoom call tomorrow (Friday May 2) evening to discuss the Special Event going forward.?

?

I've been told -- in addition to the huge investment of time and expense I already make -- I am asked to pay for 1,000 QSL cards, costing about $150, this year.

?

In the past, Ken paid for these -- I understand from the monies he netted on certificate fulfillment ($5 solicited, actual cost of certificates and postage $2, leaving a net of about $4,500 a year on 1,500 certificates sent out;? some of this revenue was used to pay for QSLs).? (I also assume Ken donated his own funds to this event, which is why I usually sent him $25 or $50).

?

Two other colony managers told me they get donations to pay for their QSLs.? Any idea who I would solicit?? Should I ask K2B ops for small contributions?? I've always been happy to invest my own funds (a) as annual donation to Ken to help him cover costs, (b) to pay to have full-color certificates printed and mailed to K2B ops, (c) for mugs for top 5 ops, for Ken and for Rhonda our QSL manager, and (d) occasional bling (except that Steve KO4ENU has contributed very generously in the bling department!).? Also thank K2B ops for sending me occasional extra monies (thanks Carol, KG4DTM and others).? But last year I invested over $300 -- starting to sound like real money!

?

May I solicit K2B ops input/consensus opinion:

?

1.? Should we have a rule that all K2B ops contribute $5 to $10 each to defray these expenses?

2.? If not, does anyone know where/how I could solicit donation of a small sum annually to defray costs.

3.? Would you prefer I not send the hard copy certificates -- instead I could do digital ones?? (that saves maybe $100)

4.? Should I not buy mugs for top ops? (that saves about $120)

5.? If I don't have expenses #3 and #4, I can buy the QSL cards.

6.? This also means no more bling.

?

Thoughts?

?

Also, anyone who has not already contacted me, but who would like to participate in K2B this year, please contact me by email.

?

Thanks,

?

David, K2WPM

?

P.S.,? Did you see that the 13 Colonies wannabe guy is having a special event July 1 - 13, 2025 celebrating America's 250th birthday (which isn't until 2026 by my math)?

That will really help to confuse everyone!

?

?